These shrubs, while native and easy to care for in the garden, can be toxic to pets and other animals roaming around the landscape. Special care should be taken when planting any of these items in the garden or in the yard. The more knowledge about which shrubs are toxic, the better the understanding of what should go where and the fewer number of needless vet visits (not to mention man’s best friend feeling poorly or dying for no reason).
The Azaleas
Most azaleas are going to be bad for pets and animals, especially the Pink Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) and Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). The Pink Azalea will get from three to six feet tall, likes partial shade, and moist acidic soil types. There are lovely blooms and foliage on this one, but remember that parts of it are poisonous. The Swamp Azalea gets from four to six feet tall, likes light shade, and the moist acidic soil. It has great pink, yellow, or even white flowers. All azaleas have the potential to be toxic to pets, but with easy care and knowledge foresight the landscape can have these with no problems.
Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
This is a member of the Rose family, has great height at four to ten feet, and will take any type of soil to grow. It prefers full sun or partial shading, but has average water needs for the shrub (even drought tolerant). There are pale pinkish blooms all over that may be white at times and they appear in mid spring. Unfortunately for its beauty, all parts of it are poisonous to pets and animals.
Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
The wild hydrangea is a stunning plant with huge blooms of white or off white. It will grow to a four to six foot height, loves full sun or a bit of shade, and takes nice moist acidic soil types. Even the ASCPA will issue a warning about this plant, being poisonous and having tendencies to induce vomiting, increased heart rate, and depression. Take special care in having this one in any landscape.
Common Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis)
The elderberry can reach a height of eight to ten feet in height, and loves full sun and moist acidic soil types. This has white flowers and a fruit (like a berry) that will have the birds in the neighborhood flocking to the landscape. Jam can be made from the elderberry fruit. This has some poisonous parts, so care should be taken around pets and small children.
Catawba Rosebay (Rhododendron catawbiense)
The Catawba Rosebay gets as tall as it does wide, approximately six to ten feet. It has evergreen foliage and red or pink blooms throughout the spring. This needs to be planted in light shade with a nicely moist acidic soil. This is another Rhododendron like the azaleas that will be poisonous to pets and livestock.
This article appeared on Suite 101 on December 26, 2008.