After an especially cold and snowy winter, spring beckons us outside. Its smells, sights, sounds, textures, and tastes offer us countless chances to enjoy its beauty. These rich experiences don’t just boost our mood and health — they also exercise our body’s sensory system, which in turn encourages our brains to stay sharp against cognitive decline. So, whether you venture out into the natural world or welcome the outdoors in, engage your senses and immerse yourself in nature this season.
Of course, flowers come to mind when we think of nature, and they ignite at least three of our senses. Our eyes see their vibrant colors, our noses catch their scent, and if we’re lucky, they attract birds whose chirping sounds are music to our ears.
Horticulturalist Shelly Nold, owner of The Plant Kingdom garden center, has some suggestions for flowers to try in your efforts to bring nature near: “A few of my favorite low-maintenance perennial flowers with a long bloom sequence are Russian Sage Denim ‘n Lace, Rudbeckia American Gold Rush, Salvia Pink Profusion, and Agastache Blue Fortune.” In addition to being pretty, she says, “All of these perennials are heat- and drought-tolerant and are attractive in some way to hummingbirds, songbirds, and pollinators.”
If you are only able to have small planters on a deck or patio, Shelly says nearly all herbs can be grown in containers. She suggests planting culinary herbs and summer annual flowers together in the same planter. For example, basil and nasturtiums complement each other with their similar sun and water needs.
While viewing your flowers, it would be lovely to hear the sound of water, so consider adding a water feature to your yard. Trae Gibson, owner of Bluegrass Aquascapes, says, “Clients often cite a variety of reasons for wanting a water feature near their homes, [such as] relaxation and stress relief, aesthetic and property enhancement, and connection to nature.” There are all kinds and sizes of water features, from bubbling water urns to backyard waterfalls. In addition to being pleasant to watch and hear, a water feature can also bring more wildlife into your yard, such as birds and frogs. Some water features, such as koi ponds, put wildlife front-and-center.
There are ways to bring nature inside your home, too. Consider painting a wall a soothing shade of green, or maybe add some cut hellebore or evergreen fronds to a vase in the living room. You can arrange interesting stones on a tray along with a scented candle and some dried flowers. Bringing nature indoors doesn’t have to be involved or expensive.
By Carrie Vittitoe
P.S. You may also enjoy Where Neighbors Come Together
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