8 Pretty but Dangerous Garden Plants to Grow with Caution
Word has traveled fast about giant hogweed, a toxic plant that can be mistaken for Queen Anne's lace, a related, but harmless, species that also grows wild across many areas of the United States. Aside from weeds, certain plants commonly grown in gardens and landscapes have poisonous chemicals in their leaves, berries, and/or stems. Here's a handful of dangerous plants to be aware of, especially if you have kids and pets around. Don't feel like you have to rip them all out, though. As long as you take a few precautions, such as keeping children and pets away, and wearing gloves when handling them, you can continue to enjoy them in your garden.
Oleander
Oleander is a dense flowering shrub with narrow pointed leaves. I's hardy in USDA Zones 7 and warmer. Attractive pink, white, or red flowers bloom in summer. All parts of an oleander are toxic if ingested, including the dried flowers and sap. Contact with the foliage and flowers can also cause skin irritation, and smoke from burning the debris is toxic to breathe.
Related: How Should I Trim Back My Oleander?
English Yew
These tough evergreen shrubs are tolerant of many conditions, including drought, shade, sun, and soggy soil, and they're usually avoided by deer and rabbits. They're an ideal choice for creating hedges and foundation plantings. However, all parts of the English yew are poisonous, except the fleshy part of its red berries (the seeds within the berries are still toxic).
Rhubarb
The ruby red stalks of this perennial plant make delicious pies, crumbles, and tarts. But beware: Rhubarb leaves contain high amounts of oxalic acid, which can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat when eaten, as well as nausea, vomiting, and kidney problems. You would need to eat several pounds of the leaves to reach lethal levels, but to avoid any unpleasant side effects, make sure to cut off the green leafy parts from the red stalks as soon as possible after harvesting and toss them in your compost bin.
Related: Grow Rhubarb in Your Garden
Foxglove
Foxglove is a summer-bloomer that has long been a cottage garden favorite. The tube-shaped flowers come in many colors and patterns, attracting bees and other pollinators. Some chemicals in foxglove are used in heart medications, and eating any part of this plant could cause the heart to slow dangerously or to beat irregularly.
Devil's Trumpet
This shrubby plant, know by many names, including moonflower and jimsonweed, is usually grown as an annual, though it's hardy in Zones 9 and 10. Devil's trumpet is also known as thorn apple because of the spiny, round fruits that follow the white, trumpet-shaped summer flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten, especially the leaves and seeds.
Monkshood
Bluish purple blooms that resemble a helmet or monk's cowl grace this perennial in late summer. Monkshood, also known as wolf's bane, contains several toxins that can cause deadly gastrointestinal, respiratory, and heart issues if swallowed. Even the sap on your skin can be dangerous so always wear gloves and long sleeves when working around this plant.
Castor Bean
These dramatic perennials are frost-tender, so in cold climates, they're usually grown as annuals. They still can grow up to 5-6 feet in a year, taking on the appearance of a small tropical tree with large, lobed, reddish purple leaves and pincushion-like seedpods. Castor bean contains the deadly compound ricin in all its parts, especially the seeds. Two more warnings: The sap may cause skin sensitivity, and the pollen of the blooms is highly allergenic.
Lily of the Valley
Fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers appear among the green leaves of this shade-loving, perennial groundcover in spring. Eating any part of a lily of the valley can cause blurry vision, digestive issues, and altered heart rhythm.
Related: Make a Lily-of-the-Valley Pocket Pot
