Download The way something feels to the touch is often referred to as texture

The way something feels to the touch is
often referred to as texture. Texture can
also be visual - how something looks. A
plant with visual texture often (but not always) also has tactile texture. When we
refer to texture in this brochure we are
talking about how a plant or other garden
element feels to the touch.
Texture can be described in many ways hard/soft, rough/smooth, thin/thick, fuzzy,
prickly, sticky. Common names are often
descriptive of what a plant feels like lamb’s ear, pussy willow, hare’s tail grass.
Any part of the plant can have texture flowers, leaves, stems, roots, seeds, or
pods. There may be a variety of textures
on a single plant, or even a single part of
the plant. A leaf may be smooth on top
and rough on the bottom, or a flower can
have silky petals and a rough seedhead
(coneflower). A plant may look one way
and feel another (some mosses look soft
but are actually rough to the touch). And
texture may change with the season or
stage of growth. Compare soft new
spring foliage to mature summer leaves
or to dried leaves in fall, or a hard bud to
an open flower.
What Texture Does
Touch can relax or invigorate. Touch can
be an important part of the garden experience for individuals with sensory impairments. Kids love to explore different textures. Stimulating all the senses can
make the garden a more interesting and
enjoyable place for everyone, young and
old.
Texture can also serve a purpose for the
plant. Fuzzy leaves can help regulate
temperature, fleshy leaves and stems
hold water reserves, burrs stick to animal
fur and help disperse the seeds, and
prickles and spikes deter predators.
Adding Texture to the Garden
You probably already have more texture in
the garden than you realize. Many people
don’t pay attention unless they get poked
by a thorn. When you're weeding, watering, or pruning, take a little time to explore
the different textures of the plants and other elements. Also notice textures when
you’re out walking in the woods or in a
park.
When adding plants to the garden, place
touchable plants within reach. Use raised
beds or containers for low-growing plants.
Add benches. Place plants along paths
where you will be brushed by the foliage.
Include a variety of plants and other elements with diverse or contrasting textures.
If you want to encourage touch, choose
durable plants or plan on a little damage.
Enjoy texture indoors by bringing in fresh
or dried arrangements. Houseplants can
also have a variety of texture. Consider
chenille plant, sensitive plant, African violet, and a wide variety of succulents
Plants to Try
All plants have texture, and many plants
have multiple textures. This is just a brief
list of a few plants and textures.
Flowers
Many flowers have soft silky petals, which
may feel different depending on the thickness of the petals. Think hibiscus, gardenia, lily, or peony.
A few, such as statice and globe amaranth, have rough papery petals.
Feathery flower heads can be found on
astilbe, plume celosia, and many ornamental grasses.
Ornamental cotton and the catkins of pussy willow and other trees are fuzzy.
Foliage
Feel the fuzzy leaves of lamb’s ear, sage,
wooly thyme, or borage.
Plants with serrated or spiky leaves include
yucca, rattlesnake master, aloe, hellebore,
and sea holly.
Airy foliage is found on asparagus, fennel, dill,
and some ferns.
The foliage of threadleaf coreopsis, yarrow,
and some artemisia, as well as new foliage on
evergreens (candles) and some moss, feels
soft.
Plants with rough leaves include hollyhock
and many others.
Conifer foliage ranges from soft and silky to
rough and prickly.
Weeping trees can gently brush the head and
shoulders as you walk underneath.
To trap and hold insects, many carnivorous
plants have leaves or flowers that are sticky.
Other Plant Elements
Many trees and shrubs have interesting bark peeling, smooth, ridged, or rough.
Stems can be smooth, or rough and bristly.
Thorns and prickles provide texture we may
want to avoid, found on roses, barberry, locust, cactus and many others.
Seed and pod texture ranges from smooth
papery money plant to burrs that stick to anything.
Sap from woody plants can be sticky.
Beyond Plants
Plants aren’t the only element that can add
texture to the garden. Look at what’s under
your feet. Paths can be made of various materials - gravel of different shapes and sizes,
wood chips, concrete, stepping stones, bricks,
grass, or dirt. Feel the texture of sand, mulch,
soil, or mud between your toes or fingers.
Rocks placed in planting beds can be smooth
or rough, rounded or angular, and can be
warm to the touch on sunny days.
Notice the feeling on your skin when you
move from shade to sun, or the difference
between a gentle breeze and a gusty wind.
A feature with water flowing, splashing, or
spraying adds texture, or just stand under the
sprinkler on a hot summer day. Notice the
water clinging to plants or the feel of a gentle
rain.
Cautions
As with the other senses, people react differently to different textures. Some are better
described as interesting rather than pleasant.
But just noticing all the textures can make
you more appreciative of the diversity of your
garden.
Consider who will be using the garden.
Some plants are potentially harmful. Plants
such as poison ivy and stinging nettles should
probably be avoided altogether, and caution
should be exercised when touching others.
When damaged, some plants exude a milky
substance that can be irritating to some.
People differ in their sensitivity to plant substances. Touch with care, especially if you’ve
had adverse reactions in the past.
You might want to use care when locating
spiny or prickly plants, especially if children or
individuals with visual or other impairments
will be using the area. Also consider potential
maintenance issues with excessively thorny
plants. Some plants have burrs or seeds that
can stick to clothing or animal fur and be
brought into the house.
This is the last of our brochures on senses in
the garden. Although we have discussed
them individually, when enjoying or planning
additions to your garden, try to incorporate
elements that appeal to all the senses. Appreciate all the sight, sound, scent, taste, and
touch the garden has to offer.
For more information on gardening
please visit:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/
programarea.cfm?ProgramAreaID=14
or
call University of Illinois Extension
Knox County Office
Senses in the
Garden Part 3:
Touch
309-342-5108
Other information brochures can be found
online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/
hkmw/hort.html
Developed and Written by
Knox County Master Gardeners
University of Illinois Extension
March 2015
University of Illinois ~U.S. Department of
Agriculture ~ Local Extension Councils
Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides
equal opportunities in programs and
employment.
UNIVERSITY O F ILLINO IS EXTENS ION
HEN DE RSON, KNOX, MC DONO UG H
AND WARREN CO UNTIE S
Knox County Office
180 S. Soangetaha Rd. Suite 108
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
309-342-5108
309-342-1768
[email protected]
Garden Tips
from
Knox County
Master Gardeners