Sometimes we just aren't listening, or we think the warnings aren't meant for us until it hits home. No one plants a poisonous plant on purpose.
Being a Master Gardener means we use herbicides or pesticides as a last resort. We use alternative, non-toxic remedies whenever possible. We don't mind having a few holes in petals or spots on the leaves. We live with what happens and try to keep our gardens clean and neat.
We know that there is no perfection in a garden because gardening is an ongoing experience and every living thing changes. We grow along with the plants as we learn more and more about gardening. When we don't heed warnings, sometimes the results come back to haunt us.
In my case, I learned the hard way as my precious 10-week-old puppy lay limp, not wanting to eat or drink. Then vomiting and diarrhea set in and didn't stop. In the isolation room at the veterinarian's, intravenous fluids and antibiotics kept her alive until she could begin to heal on her own.
In the meantime, we tried to figure out what the culprit was - snail bait or gopher poison, or could it have been mushrooms or a poisonous plant? She liked to sit and watch a flower bobbing in the breeze, or chase a bee, or crunch a snail. I had found all kinds of things in her mouth: clothespins, seashells, sticks, dirt clods, a bee, pebbles and a rubber band. But I didn't think I had planted anything poisonous in my yard.
I went to the California Master Gardener Handbook for help. There I found good instructions for all of us. Number one: keep the phone number for the
Then go into your garden and make a list of all your plants if you aren't sure about their toxicity. Checking the handbook, I was shocked to find I had planted at least seven poisonous plants.
Ironically, poisonous plants are usually the most beautiful ones in the garden. These are the poisonous plants in my garden: hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, dianthus, clematis, impatiens and wisteria. In some cases, the whole plant is toxic. In others, only the seeds are toxic.
What's more, the neighbors' peach tree is dropping young green peach kernels and these contain cyanogenic glycoside toxins. Also, black apple seeds are poisonous if enough are ingested, and the seeds and leaves of apricot trees are toxic.
Considered weeds by some, wild morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor) produces seeds that have alkaloid, nitrate and resin toxins. The underground parts of mustard contain toxins, and all plants in the lupine species are toxic. All milkweed (Asclepias) and all ornamental and wild plants in the Solanum family can be poisonous to your child or pet.
Sunset's Western Garden Book says that "many species in the Solanum family are poisonous; all are suspect." Common locally grown plants in the Solanum family include petunias, potato vine (Solanum jasminoides) and potatoes. Never eat potatoes that have green parts or new growth coming from the eyes. Use these to cut up and plant for more potatoes.
I have also learned that onions, garlic, grapes, raisins and chocolate are toxic to pets. Of course I have planted onions and garlic and have a prolific grapevine behind the vegetable garden.
It is well known that oleander (Nerium) and foxglove (Digitalis) are poisonous, but the long list in the handbook strongly suggests that we should familiarize ourselves with many more.
Some plants cause rashes and other skin problems. And, of course, the poisons we spray on weeds and ornamental plants can harm pets if ingested.
Pet-safe snail bait is a must if you have a young pet. Spread it thinly. Small piles look like dinner to pets.
I highly recommend the California Master Gardener Handbook as a companion to Sunset's Western Garden Book. These two books answer almost all gardening problems. The Handbook is available at the Napa County Master Gardener's office (address below).
We still don't know what poisoned Sofie, but after weeks of unbearable pain and thousands of dollars later, she is finally back home joyfully tearing up the house.
All puppies ingest whatever is in front of them, so do your homework. Know what you have planted, be able to give a good description of each plant, and keep a list of these plants or be prepared to be constantly connected to your pet or child until they somehow find the good sense to leave harmful plants alone.
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