by Stacy Tornio
THE BOTTOM LINE
Plant it unless you have pets that like to graze on your garden. If so, then you probably want to skip it.
TRILLIUM
POISONOUS PROFILE
Since trillium is often seen in nature as a wildflower, most people don’t even realize it’s a bulb or that you can plant it in your backyard garden. If you go for a hike in the woods in mid- to late spring, then chances are you might see spots of trillium popping up all over. It’s one of the few flowers that really thrives in the shade. You can find a few different trillium options to grow, including one of the most common with the botanical name Trillium grandiflorum or the red trillium called Trillium erectum.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Trillium, wake-robin
Botanical Name Trillium spp.
Zone 4 to 8
Height up to 1 foot
Spread up to 1 foot
Flower Color White, red
Light Needs Part sun to full shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Roots and berries
BE AWARE
If eaten, the berries and roots of this plant can come with unpleasant side effects, like inflamed nasal areas and sneezing.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This is worth planting in the garden. You should look for it at native plant sales.
TULIP
POISONOUS PROFILE
One of the true signs of spring is when you see tulips pop up all across landscapes and gardens. If you want this to be the case in your yard, you’ll have to plant them in fall because they need to spend the cold winter in the ground before they can bloom in spring. Dig a hole three to four times deeper than the bulb itself and drop it in, pointy side up. Make sure the base has good contact with the soil. You’ll want to do this before the ground is frozen or too hard to dig. You can get tulips in any color you want (except blue), so happy shopping.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Tulip
Botanical Name Tulipa spp.
Zone 3 to 8
Height 6 inches to 2 feet
Spread up to 1 foot
Flower Color All colors except blue
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Most concentrated in the bulbs
BE AWARE
The toxicity of this plant is very similar to the hyacinth because they are in the same family. The bulbs are most toxic and can cause your pets to drool, vomit, or even experience heart and respiratory problems in extreme cases.
GREEN THUMB TIP
Many of the new tulip cultivars are gorgeous, but they don’t last as long as the other varieties—some even just consider them annuals. Keep this in mind when planting. If you want a true perennial, talk to your garden center and ask them to recommend cultivars that will last for several years.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Grow this, but keep the bulbs out of sight of animals!
SNOWDROP
POISONOUS PROFILE
Occasionally blooming in January or February, this is truly one of the earliest blooming flowers you can have in the garden. Some people also call Star of Bethlehem by the name Snowdrop, but these are two different plants (check the botanical name to be sure). An old myth says that if you get only a single snowdrop in your yard then it’s a bad omen. It’s your choice whether to believe this, but to avoid it, plant several snowdrops.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Snowdrop
Botanical Name Galanthus nivalis
Zone 3 to 7
Height up to 1 foot
Spread up to 6 inches
Flower Color White
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts The entire plant is actually poisonous, but the bulb contains the most toxins. The bulbs can look a lot like onions, so don’t make that mistake.
BE AWARE
If the bulbs are consumed, symptoms might include dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This one is probably fine to plant. Since it’s one of the first flowers to come up in late winter or early spring, it’s a welcome sight in the garden.
AMARYLLIS
POISONOUS PROFILE
You probably recognize this flower because it’s common to see during the holiday season. Stores will stock a version of this amaryllis along with pots to grow indoors as a houseplant, blooming right around Christmas. While this is definitely one way to grow this flower, it’s not the only option. Those in warm areas can grow this flower outside year-round. Or you can grow it in the summer and dig up the bulb once the season is over.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Amaryllis
Botanical Name Hippeastrum
Zone 8 to 10
Height up to 2 feet
Spread up to 1 foot
Flower Color Red, pink, white, or a mix
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Leaves, stem, and bulb
BE AWARE
While it’s not as toxic as some other bulbs, it can still cause vomiting or a drop in blood pressure if consumed.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Go for it. It’s a great garden bulb!
IRIS
POISONOUS PROFILE
So many different types of iris exist, including the one pictured here called Japanese iris (Iris ensata). Nearly all irises have poisonous qualities, so you’ll want to be careful if you have pets that like to dig up bulbs or eat plants. However, they are pretty low on the toxicity level, so if you like these beautiful blooms, look for native species from your local garden center or at a native plant sale to find good options for your backyard.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Iris
Botanical Name Iris
Zone 4 to 9
Height up to 4 feet
Spread up to 2 feet
Flower Color Blue, purple, violet-red, pink, white
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Most concentrated in the bulb
BE AWARE
The bulb of this plant can cause skin irritation, so you might want to plant with gloves. If an animal gets hold of the bulb, it might cause drooling, vomiting, or other irritation.
GARDEN HISTORY
The plant was named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Plant it, but wear gloves while handling the bulbs. Iris are beautiful and will last for years, so they are a great addition to the garden.
CALADIUM
POISONOUS PROFILE
Caladium is actually closely related to elephant’s ear—it even shares part of the botanical name—but it’s worth knowing about it separately because you’ll often see this sold at the garden centers as an annual. Like elephant’s ear, most parts of this plant can cause problems for animals if they eat it. The bulb itself would likely cause the most harm. Other than that, it’s a gorgeous plant, and gardeners love it for adding colorful foliage to their containers.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Caladium, Angel wings
Botanical Name Caladium bicolor
Zone 9 to 10
Height up to 3 feet
Spread up to 3 feet
Foliage Often bi-colors like green and white, pink and white, etc.
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All leaves and stem and bulb
BE AWARE
The bulbs, which pets might come across and want to eat, are likely to cause vomiting and nausea. If you buy these as annuals at your local garden center, you probably won’t have to worry, but keep this in mind, especially if you have any pets that like to dig.
THE BOTTOM LINE
They are good plants and have incredible color. Plus, so many cool varieties come out each year. So plant it!
SHRUBS
> “All things are poisons, for there is nothing without poisonous qualities. It is only the dose which makes a thing poison.”
—Paracelsus
12 Oleander
13. Heavenly bamboo
14. St. John’s Wort
15. Azalea
16. Daphne
17. Hydrangea
18. Holly
19. Barberry
20. Elderberry
21. Chokecherry
22. Witch hazel
23. Smoke bush
24. False heather
25. Bougainvillea
26. Candytuft
27. Cape plumbago
28. Yew
29. Carolina allspice
OLEANDER
POISONOUS PROFILE
Oleander is one of the most deceiving plants out there. Home gardeners have been growing it for years—they love this small shrub for its beautiful blooms. Plus, it’s relatively easy and fast to grow. But consider this your word of warning because oleander is one of the most deadly and toxic plants around. Consuming any part of this shrub—the leaves, bark, flowers, sap—can result in some pretty serious consequences or even death. Some areas of the country even consider it invasive, so this is one that you definitely plant at your own risk.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Oleander, Rose Bay
Botanical Name Nerium oleander
Zone 3 to 9
Height 2 to 5 feet
Spread up to 1 foot
Flower Color Pink, white
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 3
Toxic Parts All parts of the plant can do you harm.
BE AWARE
Some of the toxic elements in oleander include cardiac glycosides, saponins, digitoxigenin, oleandrin, oleondroside, and nerioside. These can cause vomiting, dizziness, vision problems, and other issues like death. Stay away!
THE BOTTOM LINE
Don’t plant it. It’s not worth the risk to you or others with the whole “could cause death” and being invasive thing.
HEAVENLY BAMBOO
POISONOUS PROFILE
Gardeners love this plant because once you really get it established in the garden, it can have beautiful fruit (and plenty of it). Also, it has stems that look a lot like bamboo canes. It should be noted that this shrub isn’t a native plant, and it’s considered invasive in some parts of the United States, especially in the South. While non-natives aren’t always a problem, this one actually can be. In fact, experts say many bird species are dying from eating these berries.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Heavenly bamboo, sacred bamboo
Botanical Name Nandina domestica
Zone 6 to 9
Height up to 8 feet
Spread up to 4 feet
Flower Color White with yellow parts
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 2
Toxic Parts Berries
BE AWARE
The berries of this plant are actually highly toxic. They could cause vomiting, upset stomach, and respiratory problems. Consuming a lot of berries can definitely lead to death in animals.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Don’t plant this one. Instead, find a different native shrub to put in your yard.
ST. JOHN’S WORT
POISONOUS PROFILE
If St. John’s Wort sounds familiar, then it’s probably because you’ve seen it in the vitamin or natural remedies aisles of health food stores. It seems weird that a plant used to help us can also be viewed as poisonous, right? There are both native and non-native species of this plant, so inquire at your local garden center for more information.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name St. John’s Wort
Botanical Name Hypericum perforatum
Zone 3 to 8
Height up to 3 feet
Spread up to 2 feet
Flower Color Yellow
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts
BE AWARE
It’s usually not a problem, but in some instances where you have grazing animals in pastures, they will eat this shrub.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Unless you have grazing animals out and about near you, this plant is perfectly fine to grow in most backyards. It can be a bit aggressive and undesirable to a lot of gardeners, though. So there are probably better options (like forsythia) if the main thing you want is the yellow blooms.
AZALEA
POISONOUS PROFILE
You can find dozens upon dozens of azaleas to choose from both online and at your local garden center. They are some of the most popular shrubs for backyard gardens, especially in warmer climates. Not everyone realizes it, but azaleas are also known as rhododendrons, which relates to their botanical name. These plants produce beautiful spring flowers that come in a wide range of colors and shapes. Gardeners love azaleas because they reach their mature size in just a few short years, and then they are reliable bloomers for many more years in the future.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Azalea, rhododendron
Botanical Name Rhododendron
Zone 5 to 9
Height up to 5 feet or more
Spread up to 4 feet or more
Flower Color Pink, yellow, white, orange, red, purple
Light Needs Part sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 2
Toxic Parts All parts can cause problems.
BE AWARE
Don’t let kids or pets eat the flowers, leaves, fruits, or seeds of this plant. Sometimes the flowers can be mistaken for honeysuckle, but they’re not! Mild symptoms might include mouth irritation, nausea, and vomiting. However, large consumptions can be quite serious!
GREEN THUMB TIP
This shrub definitely enjoys some shade, so keep this in mind before you dig.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you have curious kids or pets, it’s probably best to avoid this one. Because it’s so beautiful, it seems to make it that much more appealing. However, if you don’t have kids or pets to worry about, pick your favorite cultivar. You’ll find so many great options to choose from!
DAPHNE
POISONOUS PROFILE
This is one of the earliest blooming shrubs you can have in the garden, sometimes flowering as early as February. It’s considered native to forests, and it does really well in moist, wooded areas where there’s lots of shade. Once this shrub flowers, you’ll see small fruits reach maturity in early summer. While these berries are good for birds, you definitely don’t want any little hands getting hold of them.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Daphne, Mezereon
Botanical Name Daphne mezereum
Zone 4 to 7
Height 3 to 5 feet
Spread 3 to 5 feet
Flower Color Purplish pink
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 2
Toxic Parts All parts contain an acid that is irritable, which is especially found in the sap and berries.
BE AWARE
When pets consume daphne, it can lead to drooling, vomiting, mouth and stomach problems, coma, or even death.
GARDEN HISTORY
The name Daphne came from a Greek myth that says Daphne went to Aphrodite, wanting to be saved from another god, so she was turned into a tree.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you have kids around, you probably want to avoid this one. With the sap and berries being highly toxic when consumed, it’s not worth the risk.
HYDRANGEA
POISONOUS PROFILE
The world of hydrangeas is huge! You can choose from hundreds, and the botanical names can get a bit confusing. One of the most popular is the bigleaf hydrangea, which has two main groups: those with globe-shaped flowers (mopheads) and flattened flower heads (lacecaps). Both are beautiful, and once you get them established, they grow for years! Don’t lose
patience if you don’t get yours going right away. Sometimes you just need to find the right location in your garden.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Hydrangea
Botanical Name Hydrangea macrophylla
Zone 5 to 9
Height up to 6 feet
Spread up to 10 feet
Foliage Green
Flower Color Blue, pink, purple, red, white
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
