This list highlights plants that engage the senses—sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound—that grow well on the Front Range. We also feature a Sensory Scavenger Hunt for Kids perfect for curious minds and inspiring wonder in the garden.
Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Tall spires with green, bell-shaped calyxes and small white flowers inside. Adds dramatic vertical interest.
- Sensory Use: Touch & Sound – The papery texture and rustling bells are intriguing for little fingers and ears.
Source: Annie’s Heirloom Seeds
Portulaca – Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: A low-growing succulent with vivid, rose-like flowers in warm hues. Drought-tolerant.
- Sensory Use: Sight & Touch – Brilliant blooms catch the eye; fleshy leaves invite gentle squeezing.
Source: New Jersey Yards
Pink Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Clusters of flat-topped pink flowers above ferny foliage. Perennial and pollinator-friendly.
- Sensory Use: Touch & Smell – Soft, feathery leaves and a spicy, herbal scent when crushed.
Source: Eden Brothers
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Artist’ (Blanket Flower)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Low-maintenance daisy-like flowers with warm red and orange hues.
- Sensory Use: Sight & Pollinator Sound – Eye-catching blooms attract buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies.
Source: Select Seeds
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun to part shade
- Description: Lavender-pink, tufted flowers with minty aromatic foliage. Native and hardy.
- Sensory Use: Smell & Taste – Leaves can be steeped for tea; flowers smell sweet and minty.
Source: Turner Seed
Licorice Mint (Agastache foeniculum)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Tall spikes of purple blooms with an anise-scented aroma. Long blooming season.
- Sensory Use: Smell & Taste – Leaves and flowers have a sweet licorice scent and can be used in teas.
Source: Adaptive Seeds
Tulsi Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum / Holy Basil)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Sacred in many cultures, tulsi has small purple flowers and a spicy, clove-like aroma.
- Sensory Use: Smell & Taste – Uplifting fragrance; traditionally used for calming teas.
Source: One Drop Farm
Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. citriodorum)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Bright green leaves with a lemony scent and flavor. Compact and easy to grow.
- Sensory Use: Smell & Taste – Sharp citrus scent energizes the senses; delicious in salads and teas.
Source: Everwilde Farms
Columbine ‘Crystal Star’ (Aquilegia spp.)
- Sun/Shade: Part shade
- Description: Elegant white flowers with long spurs, resembling delicate stars. Native-friendly.
- Sensory Use: Sight – Whimsical and delicate form engages visual curiosity.
Source: Seed Corner
Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun to part shade
- Description: Lacy green foliage with an intensely sweet, herbal scent. Fast-growing annual.
- Sensory Use: Smell – Strongly fragrant foliage adds aromatic depth to garden spaces. Artemisia annua has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for fevers, inflammation, headaches
Source: The Garden Diaries
Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Glossy green leaves with small yellow flowers and an anise flavor.
- Sensory Use: Smell & Taste – A warm licorice scent; edible flowers and leaves make lovely tea.
Source: Seedville USA
Tangerine Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Compact, bushy marigold with citrus-scented leaves and tiny orange flowers.
- Sensory Use: Smell & Taste – Leaves smell like tangerines; edible petals have a tangy flavor.
Source: High Mowing Seeds
Brilliant Cockscomb (Celosia cristata)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Unique, crested blooms resembling coral or velvet brain-like structures in hot pinks and reds.
- Sensory Use: Sight & Touch – Fascinating shape and soft, velvety texture invite exploration.
Source: Epic Gardening
Crimson Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Round, clover-like flowers in vibrant crimson. Drought-tolerant and long-lasting.
- Sensory Use: Sight & Touch – Tactile blooms keep their color when dried; perfect for crafts.
Source: The San Diego Seed Company
Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)
- Sun/Shade: Full sun
- Description: Papery, daisy-like flowers in a rainbow of colors. Excellent for drying.
- Sensory Use: Touch & Sound – Crisp texture and gentle crinkling sound when touched.
Source: Epic Gardening
Sensory Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Use this Sensory Scavenger Hunt to spark curiosity and help young (and young-at-heart!) gardeners experience the magic of the garden through all five senses
Detectives! Can you find these smells in the garden?
- A flower that smells like chocolate
- A herb you use on pizza
- A plant that smells like peppermint
- A plant that smells like lemon candy
Gently touch plants and find different textures in the garden.
- Something that feels soft, like a lamb
- Something that feels rubbery
- Something that is coarse or bumpy
Sounds:
- If you could create a band from nature, what plants would you include? What sounds would they make?
What animals can you hear?
Do you hear plants in the garden?
Taste:
- Find something that tastes sweet
- Something that reminds you of pizza
- Find a taste you would describe as crunchy
Sight:
- Find 5 plants that are different shades of the same color
- Find a plant that from close up looks like an animal
- Observe a flower from 20 feet away for about 30 seconds. Take 2 steps forward and note what additional features you see. Keep doing that until you are about 2 inches away from the flower.
