Creating a sensory garden in outdoor plant boxes is a fantastic way to engage all five senses while maximizing limited space. The best plants for this purpose combine texture, fragrance, color, and even sound to create a multi-sensory experience.

For touch, consider Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) with its ultra-soft, velvety leaves or Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) for its feathery plumes. Silver Mound Artemisia adds delicate, fern-like foliage that invites gentle handling.

Aromatic plants like Lavender (Lavandula), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium) release delightful fragrances when brushed against. For edible scents, try Chocolate Mint (Mentha x piperita) or Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus).

Visual stimulation comes from colorful bloomers like Marigolds (Tagetes), Pansies (Viola), and Rainbow Chard (Beta vulgaris) with its vibrant stems. For auditory interest, include Bamboo (Bambusoideae) whose leaves rustle soothingly in the wind or Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena) with its interesting seed pods that rattle when dry.

Don't forget taste with edible flowers like Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) or Borage (Borago officinalis). For year-round texture, incorporate evergreen herbs like Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) or Dwarf Conifers.

When arranging your sensory plant boxes, group plants with similar water and light needs together. Place tactile plants at the edges for easy access and position fragrant varieties where they'll catch breezes. With thoughtful selection, even small outdoor plant boxes can become powerful sensory retreats.