by Alison Coley-Donohue, Meadow Oak Nursery –
Our pets share our outdoor space, and we want to keep our four-legged family members safe while they are enjoying their outdoor living. As gardeners we have to be mindful of the risks of growing a number of plants that could be harmful if they were to be ingested. Consider finding plants that might deter pets from digging and playing in beds that have already been lovingly cultivated, while not putting safety at risk if you have young animals or they spend much time unsupervised in the yard.
Marauding deer leave frustrated gardeners no choice but to select plants that aren’t on the menu of the unwelcome guests. However, the reason that deer don’t find certain plants palatable is often due to the toxicity or poisons within. Rhododendrons are widely used in our local deer-resistant gardens and a mature plant makes a nice den for a dog to lay under. But the stems look like a nice stick to chew on for a bored Fido or a teething puppy and the plant is toxic to them if ingested.
Euphorbia is often recommended as a versatile choice that deer definitely don’t eat. When a stem is broken or cut, euphorbias exude a milky white, poisonous sap. While the plant would probably also deter our chewing canines, if a rambunctious dog broke a stem off and the sap got on his fur to later be licked off, that would not be good.
In our perennial borders, watch out for daffodils, foxgloves, lily of the valley, cyclamen and begonias as being harmful if eaten.
Some great choices that are deer resistant and safe for our pets and will most likely prevent them from exploring the garden are herbs and aromatically scented plants. Sages, lavenders, rosemary and thymes can be used at the garden’s edge to deter pets from exploring further and also repel deer. Licorice-scented agastache, bee balm and lemon-scented marigolds can also keep them out. Lemon balm is also strongly scented but is highly invasive if it’s left to flower and seed, so be forewarned.
Let’s not forget about the cat mint! Aromatic foliage will keep the dogs and deer at bay but this lovely perennial will keep your cats happily rubbing and rolling in it.
In the veggie garden, beware of the nightshade family. Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers have extremely toxic foliage to pets, and us! Also watch for rhubarb leaves as well.
Our yards are a great place to spend time with our fur family. Let’s keep them safe while still growing beautiful gardens!
For more information call 250-655-1756.
