Five Perennials Safe for Pets
Growing plants and raising pets: these two interests often go hand in hand. But in some cases, they can also contradict. Many plants can be toxic or harmful in some way to humans and animals—and if you have curious pets, it’s important to know which ones are safe and which to avoid.
At Floral Acres, we still have a good inventory of perennials, and it’s a great time of year to select some new perennials. Just avoid planting on the hottest days, and make sure young plants get plenty of water to establish their roots.
Many houseplants are toxic or harmful as well—but in this month’s list, we’re going to focus on pet-safe perennials for your garden. Here are some beautiful plants that you can trust with your furry family members. (Please note, that while these plants are known to be non-toxic to cats and dogs, excessive consumption may still cause some form of irritation.)
Coneflowers (Echinacea) — Hardy for zone three, these late-season bloomers thrive in full sun and can tolerate a range of conditions once established. They produce unique, vibrant-coloured flowers. Coneflowers can attract birds, butterflies, and bees. If you want them to reproduce in the garden, do not deadhead the spent blooms.
Brunnera (Siberian bugloss) — Ideal for a shady corner of your yard, these plants prefer morning sun with part to full shade. They produce a variety of patterned leaves, and can grow small blue flowers. They like a moist environment, and will self-seed or produce rhizomes to create clusters of ground cover.
Tickseed (Coreopsis) — These sun-loving plants will produce bright yellow flowers, sometimes with a splash of red near the centre, on long, slender stalks. Tickseed—so named for its appearance rather than its attractiveness to insects—has a long growing season and is relatively tolerant of most soil conditions. It will propagate through seed or rhizome, and may be divided every couple of years.
Bee Balm (Monarda) — A popular perennial with tufted flowers, bee balm does best in full sun. Highly attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies, this plant also does well in a border. As a member of the mint family, it reproduces quickly. Divide the clusters in the fall, and trim back after a hard frost and again in spring. Deadhead the spent blooms if you want to minimize the spread.
Coral Bells (Heuchera) — Another plant on this list which prefers partial or full shade, coral bells are prized for their foliage. They can tolerate some dry conditions, but dislike waterlogged roots. Coral bells can grow in shades of purple, red, peach, or green with small minimalistic blooms. Great as a filler or a splash of colour in a shady area. Divide every few years to keep the plant healthy.
A special mention here for day lilies, which are dog-friendly but toxic to cats. Rose bushes, though considered non-toxic to animals, have many thorned varieties that can pose other risks.
On the flip side, here is an extra list of some toxic plants to keep your pets away from! These symptoms can range from moderate to severe; as a good rule of thumb, look up individual plants before putting them in the ground.
Delphinium/Larkspur
Hostas
Bleeding Hearts
Hydrangeas
Yew Shrubs
Lily of the Valley
Always keep watch for strange behaviour, such as stomach issues, dizziness or reduced mobility, or signs of cardiac or respiratory distress. If you suspect signs of plant poisoning, contact a veterinarian or animal hospital.
Take care to keep your four-legged family members safe this summer.
Until next time!