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As you read this, I should be on my way home from a conference in Madison, Wis., designed for blind and visually impaired individuals and the professionals who serve them.

I had been asked to present two programs on designing landscapes that can be enjoyed by blind gardeners.

I've noticed that the vast majority of books and articles on gardening and landscaping seem to concentrate on only the visual aspects of our outdoor areas: time of bloom, flower color, fall color, and so on.

But there are other aspects of plants that can appeal to other senses, besides sight.

Many flowers stimulate the sense of smell.

Lavender, hyacinths and lilacs can fill garden areas with their perfume. Other plants, such as scented geranium and most herbs, release their scent when gentle brushed against.

Creeping thyme can tolerate some moderate foot traffic, releasing its aroma when a gardener walks by.

Our sense of touch can make the garden an exciting place to explore different plant textures. Some plants have soft, fuzzy leaves or flowers, like lamb's ear, woolly thyme, and pussy willow. Many ornamental grasses, especially hare's tail grass, have fluffy flower heads.

The blossoms on some plants, such as hibiscus, gardenia, and most lilies, feel silky to the touch, while statice and globe amaranth have a papery feel.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs can be used to excite the taste buds.

As long as you're not spraying your crops with pesticides, you can munch your way across the garden any time during the growing season. Nasturtium blooms and leaves have a wonderful peppery taste. Mint is very refreshing to chew, and there are dozens of types: not only the spearmint and peppermint everyone is familiar with, but apple mint, orange mint, and many others can be planted in your garden.

Dozens of herbs can be used for cooking. Be certain that you know what you are eating: some very popular herbs and flowers are considered toxic.

Vegetables that are brightly colored when ripe, such as golden zucchini squash and purple podded beans, stand out from the surrounding green foliage and make harvesting easier for the visually impaired gardener.

Tomatoes and strawberries soften slightly and turn bright red when they are ripe. Peppers, peas, beans, and leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach are ready to pick when they feel large enough.

The sounds that a garden makes can create subtle moods changes in visitors. The whisper of weeping plants, such as willows and birch, has a calming influence. The rustling of ornamental grasses and bamboo can create a sense of excitement and activity. Fountains, wind chimes, and spinning wind catchers also add sound interest, and can help blind gardeners orient themselves in the garden.

The garden is a magical place that can - and should - be enjoyed by everyone. For more information on gardening with physical disabilities, contact the Purdue Extension Service at (812) 435- 5287.

(c) 2010 Evansville Courier & Press. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.    

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