Embrace The Magic Of Our Sensory Gardens!

We have an incredible opportunity to make a positive impact together with Rubislaw Park's summer project. Rubislaw Park Care Home, supports 86 residents with varying medical needs, including those in end-of-life care and individuals significantly affected by cognitive impairment.

We've decided to infuse our gardens with vibrant life and create sensory delights for the residents! We're inviting all schools in the local area of Aberdeen to join this heartwarming initiative by crafting colourful flower pots or tubs within our garden. Imagine the joy these creations will bring to the residents as we welcome the warmer weather.

Throughout this experience we want to support the five senses:

Touch - Thinking beyond the ordinary and explore plants that engage the sense of touch. Consider incorporating soft wonders like sage or bunny's tails. Our residents will love feeling these as they run their fingers through these gentle textures!

Smell - Delightful scents can transport us to wonderful places. Let's infuse our creations with fragrances like lavender, eucalyptus, honeysuckle, lemongrass and basil. A symphony of scents to lift spirits!

Taste - Yes, you read that right! We can bring a bit of the edible garden to our pots with mint, strawberries, raspberries and peas. A treat for the taste buds and a feast for the eyes!

Sight - Bright and calming colours can work wonders! Think vibrant blooms like marigolds, pansies, or calming hues from lavender and chamomile. Let's create a visual masterpiece that sparks joy.

Hearing - Elevate the sensory experience by adding elements that delight the sense of hearing! Consider wind chimes gently swaying in the breeze, plants like ornamental grasses that create soothing rustling sounds, or flowers and shrubs that attract birds, like sunflowers, coneflowers, or berry-bearing bushes. The cheerful chirping and songs of feathered friends will add a beautiful layer of natural music to brighten the residents' days at Rubislaw Park Care Home.

We're also looking for bee-friendly plants within our garden, why bee-friendly, you ask? Well, it's not just about pretty flowers; it's about creating a haven for both our residents and the environment. Bee-friendly gardens play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems.

Open Invitation for Aberdeen Schools

We encourage collaboration between schools to amplify the impact of our sensory gardens, the benefits to both our community and the schools involved, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. We want you to capture the process of creating your sensory garden displays. Share photos and stories on social media using the hashtags #sensorygardenrubislawpark and #rubislawblooms. Let's document and celebrate the collective effort and creativity poured into this heartwarming project.

We will showcase the sensory gardens through photos on our social media platform. Our way of keeping the local community up to date with our progress and final reveal. Experience the beauty and ingenuity of our displays from the comfort of your home!

There's also a chance to win a prize...The winning school's display will receive a prize of £250, to be used at their discretion. What amazing things could your school do with such a prize?

For dropped-off entries, please ensure each display has a clear name and school identification. This will help us acknowledge and appreciate the contributions from each school. We encourage schools to get creative and have fun with this project, we have already had interest from schools wishing to make entries!

For the safety of residents and participants, please avoid the following flowers (known to be toxic if ingested, toxic if touched, or problematic for individuals with allergies):

1. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - Toxic if ingested

2. Hemlock (Conium maculatum) - Highly toxic if ingested

3. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - Causes skin irritation

4. Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) - Causes severe skin burn

5. Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) - Toxic if ingested by livestock

6. Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) - All parts are toxic if ingested

7. Buttercup (Ranunculus species) - Can cause skin irritation

8. Yew (Taxus baccata) - Highly toxic if ingested, especially the seeds

9. Rhododendron (Rhododendron species) - Leaves are toxic if ingested

10. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) - Causes skin irritation

(Always research specific plants and consult with local gardening experts to ensure the safety of all participants of the sensory garden project).

Let's make this a truly inclusive and memorable experience for all involved! Together, we can create a lasting impact and spread joy throughout the Aberdeen community.