A special sensory garden with highly scented, bright and textured plants is being built at Benenden Hospital thanks to the generosity of a former patient. The garden, which should be completed by late summer, is designed to stimulate the five senses – touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing – with carefully selected plants, such as lavender for fragrance, bamboo for its rustling sound and lamb’s ears for its soft texture.

The project is being funded by Edna Winter who has donated considerable sums for the grounds over the years. She particularly wanted a garden which less mobile and partially sighted people could appreciate.

“Many gardens are difficult to access for those in a wheelchair which is why I wanted somewhere for them to enjoy,” said Edna. “The raised beds will be at chair height so they will be able to get a good view and touch the plants. I also wanted highly scented and bright plants with good contrasts for those who are visually impaired.”

Positioned below the children’s ward and medical outpatient unit where the view and tranquillity can be enjoyed, the garden will be called Edna’s Retreat.

The hospital’s head groundsperson Carol Head said that it has been a lifelong ambition of hers to create a sensory garden. “We are so grateful to Edna for raising the money for the project and I have been working on the plans since last autumn.

“The garden will consist of two brick-edged raised beds accessed through an archway in the hedge, with wide paths, a central pagoda and plenty of seats. The garden will also have a lawn sheltered by a mature tulip tree.”

Carol also plans to create a knot garden in the shape of the hospital’s emblem, the Cross of Lorraine, a double cross with a vertical line crossed by two smaller vertical bars.

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