by Stacy Tornio
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts of the plant can have elements that break down to produce cyanide.
BE AWARE
You (or a pet) would have to consume a large amount of hydrangea plants to notice any issues. These might include a very upset stomach and bowel issues.
GREEN THUMB TIP
In cold climates, the wind and frigid temperatures may take a toll on hydrangeas. To protect your investment, cover plants in winter with burlap or shredded leaves.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Because you’d have to consume such a large amount to be in any kind of danger, you’re probably fine planting hydrangeas in your garden.
HOLLY
POISONOUS PROFILE
This is one of those plants that symbolizes Christmas, winter, and the holidays for many people. Holly is often used in tabletop displays because of its rich green leaves and bright red berries. While it can grow quite big, most people keep it trimmed back to a few feet tall and wide. It can be a bit prickly (the leaves), which usually keeps kids away from taste-testing the berries, but you should still keep an eye out if you have one around. By the way, birds love the berries in winter when food is scarce!
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Holly, American holly
Botanical Name Ilex opaca spp.
Zone 5 to 9
Height up to 30 feet
Spread up to 20 feet
Foliage Waxy green leaves and bright red berries
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 2
Toxic Parts Berries
BE AWARE
All holly berries are poisonous. If a child or animal eats holly berries, you might witness vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and drowsiness. This can occur after just a few berries, so you definitely want to take precaution if you know there have been a few (or many) eaten.
GREEN THUMB TIP
This plant is called dioecious, which means male and female flowers are on different plants. This means you’ll need both a male and female if you want to get the colorful berries.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you totally adore the idea of this classic plant, go ahead and risk it.
BARBERRY
POISONOUS PROFILE
This is a popular shrub for gardeners because it’s easy to grow and provides flowers in spring, great foliage in fall, and berries for birds. Some areas consider barberry a bit invasive, so you might want to check with your local garden center before planting it. Otherwise, this is one of those shrubs you can count on for years to come.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Barberry, Japanese barberry
Botanical Name Berberis thunbergii
Zone 4 to 8
Height up to 6 feet
Spread up to 7 feet
Foliage Known for its rich burgundy leaves in fall and berries that are great for the birds.
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts are somewhat toxic.
BE AWARE
If taken in high doses, it can become toxic, leading to lethargy, vomiting, and even inflammation of the kidneys.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Don’t be eating barberry raw or straight out of the garden. If you take it in pill form, just make sure you follow the directions.
ELDERBERRY
POISONOUS PROFILE
Trying to understand this shrub’s toxic elements can get a little tricky because many gardeners see it as a wonderful shrub for the garden. It offers year-round appeal. In addition, the ripe berries can be made into jam or even fruit wine. However, if the berries are green or you eat some of the leaves, your stomach would not agree. If you’re thinking about adding this to your yard, be sure to look for it by the botanical name Sambucus nigra and plant it in a sunny spot because it loves sunshine!
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Elderberry, American elderberry
Botanical Name Sambucus nigra
Zone 3 to 9
Height up to 10 feet
Spread up to 10 feet
Flower Color White
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Leaves, stems, and green berries
BE AWARE
If you eat parts of this plant or the berries when they’re green, you’ll likely experience nausea, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, a coma.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Leave those berries alone until they’re completely ripe and are a dark purple or black color.
CHOKECHERRY
POISONOUS PROFILE
This is a plant that could be classified as both a tree or shrub, depending on the variety you have and then how you prune it. Chokecherries are generally great shrubs to have in your garden. They’re native to the United States, and they produce edible fruits that many use for jams, jellies, pies, and more. (Well, that’s if the birds don’t eat them all first.)
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Chokecherry
Botanical Name Prunus virginiana
Zone 2 to 7
Height up to 30 feet
Spread up to 20 feet
Flower Color White
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Leaves, stems
BE AWARE
This plant is a threat to livestock animals like sheep, cows, and other grazers that might come upon it in the pasture.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Plant it! There are so many good options and new cultivars around that chokecherry poses little threat to most backyard gardeners.
WITCH HAZEL
POISONOUS PROFILE
You don’t come across many shrubs that bloom in the fall, but this is one of them. This plant has bright and beautiful yellow blooms that look like little ribbons along the branches. Many people know the witch hazel name because they see it in health food stores. It’s often used on skin for inflammation or even acne as a natural remedy. While the toxicity of this plant is fairly low, it’s still one you want to watch out for if you have pets.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Witch hazel, common witch hazel
Botanical Name Hamamelis virginiana
Zone 3 to 8
Height up to 20 feet
Spread up to 20 feet
Flower Color Yellow
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Bark and leaves
BE AWARE
While it has a lot of benefits, especially applied topically, it can be toxic to dogs if they eat the plant out of your garden or if they get hold of it in pill form.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Plant witch hazel! You’ll love the yellow flowers that pop up in September and October.
SMOKE BUSH
POISONOUS PROFILE
While some people know this plant as smoke tree, it’s actually considered a shrub by most gardeners. This shrub doesn’t have much in the way of flowers, but in the summer, it has hairy stalks that turn a smokey pink or purplish color, which help give this plant its name. Many people think this is a type of flower, but it’s actually not. It also has great fall color, with leaves that darken to yellow, orange, or a deep purplish red in the fall.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Smoke bush, smoke tree
Botanical Name Cotinus coggygria
Zone 5 to 8
Height up to 15 feet
Spread up to 15 feet
Foliage Beautiful leaves that darken in fall
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts are slightly toxic.
BE AWARE
While it’s not one of the most toxic plants you could have in your backyard, it could still make your pets sick if they like to munch on leaves or stems.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This one is okay to plant in your backyard. Plus, you’
ll love the cool display it puts on from summer through fall. It’s very unique!
FALSE HEATHER
POISONOUS PROFILE
This shrub produces beautiful purple blooms in spring and throughout the summer. However, since it only thrives in zones 9 to 11, most people who want to grow this shrub will have to think of it as an annual. Gardeners definitely love it for its flowers. It’s also pretty low maintenance and fairly drought tolerant. So if you need a “plant it and forget it” option for your backyard, this is it!
DEADLY STATS
Common Name False heather, Mexican false heather, Hawaiian heather
Botanical Name Cuphea hyssopifolia
Zone 9 to 11
Height up to 2 feet
Spread up to 3 feet
Flower Color Lavender
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts
BE AWARE
You probably won’t come across false heather much unless you live in a warm climate, but all parts of this plant can cause overall sickness or nausea in pets.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You might have a hard time finding this one in your area, but if you do, you should feel free to plant it without much worry.
BOUGAINVILLEA
POISONOUS PROFILE
Definitely known and grown for its beautiful flowers, bougainvillea can get quite large if you just let it go. Instead, try to keep this plant contained by keeping it pruned. It does really well with pruning and trimming, which is great if you have a very specific or small space where you’re trying to grow it. Since it only thrives in zones 9 to 11, you might have to grow it as an annual in other areas.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Bougainvillea
Botanical Name Bougainvillea
Zone 9 to 11
Height up to 40 feet
Spread up to 40 feet
Flower Color Purple, red, pink, and yellow
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts Any parts of the plant with sap
BE AWARE
Most experts consider bougainvillea to be only mildly toxic. The plant’s sap is a bit irritable to the skin, and if eaten in large quantities by your pet, it can definitely cause problems. Watch out for the thorns, which can also contain the plant’s sap.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The blooms are gorgeous! Go for it.
CANDYTUFT
POISONOUS PROFILE
If you need a plant that is drought tolerant, candytuft is a great option. It doesn’t grow very tall, but it has beautiful white flowers that butterflies and other pollinators really like. Is this plant a perennial or a shrub? It’s a little bit of both. Depending on where you live and the variety you grow, it could be considered either!
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Candytuft
Botanical Name Iberis
Zone 3 to 8
Height up to 1 foot
Spread up to 2 feet
Flower Color White
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts
BE AWARE
With mild toxic elements, you want to keep it away from all animals and any human consumption. It could definitely cause some queasiness and vomiting.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Go ahead and plant it! It’s a great option for pollinators, and it’s relatively risk-free.
CAPE PLUMBAGO
POISONOUS PROFILE
If you saw plumbago growing in its native habitat of South Africa, it would be a lot bigger. However, in the United States, most people grow it in a container, so it stays small and manageable. In fact, keeping it in a container is quite popular because this way you can grow it outside in summer and bring it indoors as a houseplant in winter.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Cape leadwort, plumbago, Cape plumbago
Botanical Name Plumbago auriculata
Zone 8 to 11
Height up to 3 feet
Spread up to 3 feet
Flower Color Pale blue
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts
BE AWARE
All parts of this plant are considered toxic, so keep it away from pets. Also, be aware if you handle it directly while planting because it could cause some skin irritation.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Grow this for the beautiful blueish flowers, which are fairly unique in the gardening world.
YEW
POISONOUS PROFILE
Yews are one of the longest-living evergreens, and they are a staple in many backyards. You’ve probably seen a yew, even if you didn’t know what it was. While the entire yew family (Taxus) is huge and includes both trees and shrubs, they are very common as backyard shrubs. Plus the berries can seem really appealing to young kids.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Yew
Botanical Name Taxus
Zone 6 to 7
Height shrubs usually up to 7 feet
Spread up to 5 feet
Foliage Evergreen foliage
Light Needs Full sun to full shade
Level of Toxicity 3
Toxic Parts All parts have poisonous elements, including the seeds within the red berries.
BE AWARE
Yews (especially the evergreen needles) can cause some serious heart problems if consumed. If left undetected or untreated, it could lead to death.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While you definitely want to stay away from consuming this shrub, yews are great for adding year-round color to your yard. They’re also relatively disease-free and easy to care for.
CAROLINA ALLSPICE
POISONOUS PROFILE
This shrub is a beauty in the backyard, producing deep red or burgundy flowers. Gardeners love it for its long blooming seasons (spring to midsummer) and because it’s so easy to grow. It’ll tolerate a lot of different soil conditions, and it’ll also do well in both sun and shade. Many varieties will also produce wonderful, sweet-smelling flowers, so inquire at your local garden center if this is important to you!
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Carolina allspice, allspice
Botanical Name Calycanthus floridus
Zone 4 to 9
Height up to 10 feet
Spread up to 12 feet
Foliage Green with deep burgundy blooms or pale yellow
Light Needs Full sun to part shade
Level of Toxicity 1
Toxic Parts All parts, especially seeds
BE AWARE
The seeds can be especially toxic, so stay away. This is most often a problem when it comes to pets or animals like goats that will graze or potentially eat a lot of the seeds. You might see convulsions or elevated blood pressure.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You should be able to grow it just fine, but keep the toxicity in mind, especially when the plants might be dropping seeds (usually fall or late into your growing season).
TREES
“I mean, I have the feeling that something in my mind is poisoning everything else.”
—Vladimir Nabokov
30. Oak
31. Strychnine tree
32. Black walnut
33. Horsechestnut
34. Manchineel
35. Buckeye
36. Black locust
37. Rubber tree
OAK
POISONOUS PROFILE
Everyone should plant an oak tree in their lifetime. It’s the kind of long-term investment that can live on for hundreds of years. You can find lots of oak options like the popular white oak and red oak. Not every oak tree will reach that height of 80 feet, but it does need ample space. In due time, it will provide wonderful shade for picnics, reading, and relaxation.
DEADLY STATS
Common Name Oak
Botanical Name Quercus spp.
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Zone 3 to 9
Height up to 80 feet
Spread up to 80 feet
Foliage Leaves start off pinkish then change to dark green and orange, red in fall
Light Needs Full sun
Level of Toxicity 1
