Somerset County Park Commission

General Information
The Fragrance and Sensory Garden is located at the western portion of the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden. Designed to be of special interest to visitors who are visually or physically impaired, the garden demonstrates how plants can appeal to all of the senses.

The Somerset County Park Commission developed the garden in 1981 with generous assistance from the Franklin Lion’s Club. The sunken garden is surrounded by a stone wall and raised beds, enabling visitors to easily reach out and touch the plants. The stone capping at the top of the wall will guide the visually impaired. Many of the herbs are identified with printed labels as well as Braille.

Popular with adults and children alike for its interactive nature, visitors are invited to touch and smell the herbs. Culinary and fragrant herbs including basils, mints and geraniums are displayed within reach. The fragrances of lavender, daphne and sweet autumn clematis perfume the air. Textured plants such as the rubbery sedum, spiky blue fescue and downy lamb’s ear delight the sense of touch. Behind the herbs is a backdrop of annuals and perennials that provide color throughout the season.

Guided tours of the garden can be arranged for a small fee.

+ Larger Font \| + Smaller Font Fragrance and Sensory Garden at Colonial Park

General Information The Fragrance and Sensory Garden is located at the western portion of the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden. Designed to be of special interest to visitors who are visually or physically impaired, the garden demonstrates how plants can appeal to all of the senses. The Somerset County Park Commission developed the garden in 1981 with generous assistance from the Franklin Lion’s Club. The sunken garden is surrounded by a stone wall and raised beds, enabling visitors to easily reach out and touch the plants. The stone capping at the top of the wall will guide the visually impaired. Many of the herbs are identified with printed labels as well as Braille. Popular with adults and children alike for its interactive nature, visitors are invited to touch and smell the herbs. Culinary and fragrant herbs including basils, mints and geraniums are displayed within reach. The fragrances of lavender, daphne and sweet autumn clematis perfume the air. Textured plants such as the rubbery sedum, spiky blue fescue and downy lamb’s ear delight the sense of touch. Behind the herbs is a backdrop of annuals and perennials that provide color throughout the season. Guided tours of the garden can be arranged for a small fee.
Bloom Times for Plants PDF chart SELECTED LIST OF PLANTS GROWING IN THE FRAGRANCE & SENSORY GARDEN
Botanical Name Alchemilla mollis Allium schoenoprasum Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa Buddleia davidii 'Ile de France' Calycanthus floridus Clematis virginiana Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' Fothergilla gardenii Galium odoratum Heliotropium arborescens Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' Magnolia virginiana Melissa officinalis Mentha x piperita Mimosa pudica Nepeta mussinii Ocimum basilicum 'Spicy Globe' Origanum majorana Origanum vulgare Pelargonium 'Attar of Roses' Pelargonium 'Citronella' Pennisetum alopecuroides Rhododendron periclymenoides pinxterbloom Ribes odoratum Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus' Salvia elegans Salvia officinalis Stachys byzantina Thymus pseudolanuginosus Thymus vulgaris Viburnum carlesii		Common Name lady's mantle chives French tarragon butterfly bush Carolina allspice sweet autumn clematis daphne dwarf fothergilla sweet woodruff heliotrope English lavender sweet bay magnolia lemon balm peppermint sensitive plant catmint basil sweet marjoram oregano scented geranium lemon geranium fountain grass azalea fragrant currant prostrate rosemary pineapple sage common sage lamb's ears hall's wooly thyme common thyme Korean spice viburnum
Special Events at Colonial Park Gardens
LOCATION: Colonial Park (Lot A) 150 Mettlers Road East Millstone, NJ 08873 (Franklin Township) HOURS: 8:00 am to Sunset (Daily) ADMISSION: Donation Requested $1.00 per person is appreciated		FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department Colonial Park 156 Mettlers Road Somerset, NJ 08873 Tel: 732 873-2459 Fax: 732 873-3896 TTY: Use the NJ Relay Service @711 (for individuals with hearing/speech impairments)
E-mail the Horticulture Dept. with any questions or comments