Content
Skip To Navigation Skip to Content
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregedivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregafgivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
 

NCHPAD - Building Healthy Inclusive Communities

Font Size:

Adapt the Plants - 2


Along with the above, unique sensory qualities are the most important elements when considering a plant palette for the home enabling garden. Gardens tended by gardeners with disabilities tend to be on the small side, making it especially important to bring as much sensory interest as possible into the garden. It is a fun challenge to seek out and include plants that engage more than one of the senses.

Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses rustle in the slightest breeze, engaging both the eyes and ears
Ornamental grass
Ornamental grasses rustle in the slightest breeze, engaging both the eyes and ears

Banana mint
Banana mint can engage the sense of smell for individuals that are visually impaired
Purple geraniums

Geraniums release their aroma when bruised

Raised garden bed and large potted plants with flowers
Raised garden bed and large potted plants with flowers
A lily plant within an accessible garden.

Clearly, taste has broad appeal and is fortunately satisfied with thousands of available vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Many are very ornamental and mix well with flowers. Engage the sense of smell by growing some of the hundreds of herbs and flowers that fill the air with fragrance. Plants should also be included that invite touching with fuzzy leaves or interesting bark, stems, and flowers. Keep some 'scratch-and-sniff' plants within reach. Scented geraniums and herbs release their aroma when bruised. Plants such as ornamental grasses rustle in the slightest breeze, engaging both the eyes and ears. Of course, our eyes are entertained with the nearly unlimited colors, forms, and visual textures offered by the plant world.

Drying rack used to dry flowers
Using a wooden clothes drying rack to dry flowers keeps everything at an easy to reach height for wheelchair users
Exuberance should be tempered with an understanding that some plants are toxic either eaten or brought in contact with the skin, causing allergic or other unwanted reactions, particularly when gardening with children and anyone with impaired judgment or cognition. Fortunately, incidents are few and far between, and even for many plants considered toxic, the quantities need to cause harm are quite large. While there are indeed toxic plants out there, balance their use against the likelihood they would be eaten accidentally. Some gardeners deliberately use plants that are toxic, taste bad, or are otherwise less appealing to grazing deer and rabbits.

Purple flowers
Purple flowers

As experience is gained, one can branch out and explore the nearly infinite possibilities available to gardeners everywhere. Whether trying different kinds of plants in different combinations, the newest varieties, the exotic, or the old heirloom grown by a great grandparent - the possibilities are endless.

Yellow flowers
Yellow flowers

Setting up an accessible or enabling garden requires a bit of ingenuity, but when it is complete, large or small, the gardener with a disability can achieve the same level of independence in the garden as other aspects of everyday life - and likely be a bit healthier in the process.


blog comments powered by Disqus