If you want a gorgeous garden teeming with life but also have a curious kitty or nosy dog, there are several plants you need to avoid. Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote.co.uk has revealed that common plants in UK gardens can be deadly for pets.
The first is foxglove. These beautiful flowers are a common woodland plant that grows in nature and gardens. However, this plant contains toxic cardiac glycosides. If an animal ingests any parts of this plant, it can result in serious poisoning.
Lillies
Lilies are another very popular and very toxic plant. All parts of a lily plant can be toxic to animals and lead to kidney damage if ingested. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be fatal to the animal. It is important to ensure you keep your pets away from lily plants. Lily pollen can easily fall onto your pet’s fur, which they may accidentally ingest when grooming themselves. This is why you should avoid it at all costs to protect your pets.
Oleander
Oleander is another incredibly toxic plant that should be avoided. This plant is very poisonous, and if you ingest even just a small amount of it, this can result in death. Any physical contact with the plant can also cause severe skin irritations and allergic reactions. It’s important to keep Oleanders away from children and pets. If you have pets or children in your garden regularly, avoiding this plant at all costs is best.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are another popular bloom in UK gardens. However, they contain pyrethrins. If ingested, this could cause vomiting, drooling, and diarrhoea in pets. In severe cases, your pet may experience loss of coordination and depression.
Monkshood
Monkshood is one of the most poisonous plants in your garden. This plant features hooded flowers in varying colours, making it very pretty. This is why it is such a popular garden plant. All parts of a Monkshood plant are poisonous. If any parts of this plant are ingested, it can cause some severe side effects. The poison in this plant may result in death if large amounts are ingested.
English ivy
English ivy is also dangerous to animals despite its popularity. English Ivy contains triterpenoid saponins. These can cause vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal pains, and diarrhoea if your pet ingests this plant. That is why this trailing plant should be kept away from any curious pets.
Azaleas
Azaleas can also poison pets as they contain substances known as grayanotoxins. These toxins can produce vomiting, drooling, weakness, diarrhoea, and depression in animals. Severe poisoning from this plant can lead to a coma or even death.
Lords-and-ladies
Lords-and-ladies have large, arrow-shaped leaves that have purple spots on them. There is a flowering spike that has a yellow and green hood surrounding the flower. The plant also features green, red or orange berries, depending on their ripeness. All parts of this plant can cause negative reactions. However, the berries are particularly poisonous. There are small needle-shaped crystals contained within this plant that can cause severe skin irritations. Ingesting the plant can cause a range of dangerous side effects.
Deadly nightshade
The clue is in the name of this one -This plant features several green berries that then ripen into a black colour. Every single part of this plant is toxic, and the berries are particularly poisonous. Ingesting the berries can result in a range of side effects that can be very dangerous.
Poison Hemlock
Poison hemlock is a tall plant with hollow purple-blotched stalks. This plant is most commonly found in damp areas. It contains toxins and is poisonous to humans and animals. Ingesting even just a small amount of this plant can cause some serious side effects.
