March 19, 2010, Newsletter Issue #158: Delight the Senses with a Backyard Fountain Garden

Tip of the Week

The five senses are seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting. Consider each of the five senses to create a sensory backyard or patio haven that relaxes and renews, soothes and stimulates.

Think visual appeal with color, light and movement. A backyard waterfall fountain makes an ideal focal point for a sensory garden. Surround water fountains with a variety of plants in warm colors that stimulate and cool colors to soothe. Select plants that attract birds and butterflies. A lighted water fountain brings magic to dark nights. Mirrors, gazing balls and garden sculptures add more visual appeal.

Introduce pleasing sounds. While nature provides a symphony of bird song and whisper of wind through the leaves, add more listening pleasure. Burbling waterfall fountains, tiered solar birdbath fountains, water-bell fountains and melodic wind chimes bring pleasing sounds to a sensory setting.

Add scent to a sensory garden with heady fragrances of gardenias, jasmine, honeysuckle and day lilies. Mulch with fresh pine straw or cedar chips. Plant an herb garden and savor the scent of rosemary, basil and mint. Enjoy aromatherapy with scented candles, automatic scent diffusers and aromatic incense.

Take pleasure in the touch of the garden as you dig in the soft earth and handle plants with different textures. Dip fingers or toes in sparkling fountain waters. Enjoy a cooling rainforest mist with an outdoor misting system. Refresh with a cool drink at a garden drinking fountain, a glass of wine or cup of tea on a bench near the water fountain. Harvest your own edible plants and savor the taste of fresh strawberries, plums, figs, citrus fruits and herbs. Create a dining space and enjoy the tastes of dining alfresco.

Don’t be surprised to find that sixth sense comes into play -- a deeply pleasurable feeling from reflection of the five senses of your backyard water fountain sanctuary.

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