Pet Care and Thoughtful Gardening

It's spring and everyone I know who loves gardening is getting outside.  Before we do, we should take a quick inventory: what's changed in our lives during this past winter?  I know I got a new dog so I asked myself, has my dog developed allergies he didn't have in the past?  When I'm planning new plant additions, am I thinking about the plants which might be poisonous to my dog? 

While it is possible for any of us or our pets to develop an allergy to a specific plant at any time during our life, there are certain plants which we should be aware are poisonous to dogs.

The following is only a partial list of plants which are toxic to  dogs:

Azalea buds open in early Spring

Autumn crocus, Azalea,   Castor bean, Elephant's ears, English ivy, Foxglove, Monkshood, Philodendron, Rhododendrum, Rhubarb, Bloodroot, Common privet, Larkspur and Delphinium. 

Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Asiatic Lilly, Oleander, Dieffenbachia, Daffodils, Lily of the valley, Sago palm, Tulips, Hyacinths, Boxwood,

Being aware that these plants are toxic to dogs can go a long way toward preventing a disaster and an emergency visit to the veterinarian.  If we can train our pets to not eat plants from our yards, we'll be one step ahead of danger.

There are so many safe plants choices. These plant varieties include:  Clematis, Ninebark,  Coneflower, Yews, Daylily, Hosta, River birch,  Tri-color beech, Japanese maple,  Blue spruce, Annabelle hydrangea, Fountain grass, Bee balm, and Boxwood.

See examples of Fountain Grass in the background and Boxwood in the foreground at the Reno County Master Gardener's Demo Garden located on the Hutchinson Community College campus.

 

 

We urge you to pick your new plant additions carefully and to enjoy both your pet and your garden all Spring, Summer, and Fall. Submitted by Master Gardener cbooz.