Any garden is a living thing, therefore, you must be careful when purchasing and planting different plants.
Some of our most common ornamental plants and wild volunteers are actually poisonous and have the capacity to be harmful to humans or our pets. For instance, in the Pacific Northwest foxglove comes up everywhere like a weed. Did you know it has the capacity to cause death? Be aware that your garden might bring some surprising dangers, and be well informed before planting something.
Here are 10 poisonous garden plants you should know about!
1. Apple
The number one goes to apple. Apples (apricots too) have really toxic seeds. Of course, you would have to eat more than an apple a day to get any adverse effects, however, they are listed as majorly toxic on the Poison Control’s plant list.
2. Delphinium
Most of us know about these perennials that produce blue flower spikes that tower over sweet basal rosettes of leaves. However, these plants have extremely toxic diterpenoid alkaloids in all of their parts, and apart from dangerous to humans, these plants are dangerous for domestic and wild animals as well.
3. Rhododendron
Our third culprit is found in gardens across the nation. It is Rhododendron, a native plant that is found wild in many of our forests and clearings.
4. Oleander
You can primarily find oleander in the warmer regions, and this plant has the ability to cause death with even if taken in small doses. It is a fatal beauty that has long been a solution plant for unhappily married people.
5. Jasmine
The fifth position of poisonous plants goes to jasmine. The flowers are the huge draw in these glossy leaved plants, but the fruits are the source of the danger. Even a few can cause death.
6. Hydrangea
Hydrangea plants can be fatal and toxic in different species. If you don’t really know which is which, be cautious and keep plants away from pets and children.
7. Rhubarb
Rhubarb is fatal if you ingest a lot of it. The stalks seem safe enough but use them in a judicious manner and avoid overeating this plant.
8. English Laurel
People often use this plant in the landscape that you can scan most neighborhoods and find several hedges built out of this popular and rapid growing bush. The seeds in the fruits are extremely poisonous and some sensitive individuals have experienced contact dermatitis with uncomfortable symptoms.
9. Mistletoe
Mistletoe’s berries are absolutely deadly and can potentially ruin a Christmas party if ingested. Be careful with this most favorite plant at Christmas!
10. Poinsettia
In warm, tropical regions you can grow poinsettia outdoors, but the rest of us have to enjoy the plant in a container inside where it’s warm. These plants have milky sap that has the potential to make children and pets ill if eaten. This sap can also cause skin irritations in sensitive individuals.
This list only touches upon 10 of our common garden denizens. However, have in mind that many plants familiar to us in our landscapes have the capacity to cause discomfort, illness or even death. Immediately consider visiting a doctor if you notice something unusual!