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If the location of your garden gives you four or more hours of direct sunlight a day, you have a long list of annuals and perennials from which to choose.

Annuals grow from seed and last one growing season. They are good choices for fast, instant color impact. Garden and discount centers will offer a wide variety of annual plants at economical prices.

Perennials

      Bee Balm       Phlox        Roses       Catmint/catnip       Coneflowers

If your garden receives less than four hours of direct sunlight a day, the following list of non-toxic annuals and perennials requires less sunlight.

        Primrose      Butterfly Flower     Spider Flower      Nasturtium

Perennials

Shade Gardens

Annuals

      Violet     Coleus      Begonia     Impatiens     New Guinea Impatiens

Perennials

Vegetable Gardens

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) experts field tens of thousands of calls each year involving animal companions who’ve had potentially hazardous contact with insecticides, weed killers and pet-toxic plants.

Bulbs            

If your dog loves to dig in your yard or garden, these toxic garden plants are particularly dangerous. The bulb is the poisonous part of the plant. Also keep your dog out of any gardening or storage sheds, or your basement, if you overwinter these bulbs.

Some of these toxic garden plants, such as daffodils, are also offered as houseplants in the spring, sometimes by charities. Place them where your dog can't get at them.

Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp) Family: Amaryllidaceae
  Causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, depression, tremors.

Daffodil (Narcissus spp) Family: Amaryllidaceae
   Causes severe gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, shivering, dermatitis, muscular tremors, hypotension (low blood pressure), and cardiac arrhythmias.

Gladiolas (Gladiolas spp) Family: Iridaceae
   Causes abdominal pain, vomiting (occasionally bloody), diarrhea (occasionally bloody), hypersalivation, depression.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) Family: Liliaceae
   Causes intense vomiting, diarrhea (occasionally bloody), depression and tremors.

Iris (Iris spp) Family: Iridaceae
   Causes vomiting (occasionally bloody), diarrhea (occasionally bloody), abdominal pain, hypersalivation, depression.

Lily of the Valley (Convalaria majalis) Family: Liliaceae
   These are particularly toxic garden plants, and can result in death. Causes vomiting, ataxia (loss of muscle control), cardiac arrhythmias, death.

Narcissus (Narcissus spp) Family: Amaryllidaceae
   Causes severe gastrointestinal disorders, dermatitis, convulsions, muscular tremors, shivering, hypotension (low blood pressure), and cardiac arrhythmias.

Some of these ferns are generally grown in hanging pots, and so should be relatively safe if you have a dog. Watch for berries falling to the ground from these toxic garden plants, though.

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus sprengeri) Family: Liliaceae
   Causes allergic dermatitis with repeated skin contact. Berry ingestion could result in vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Emerald Feather aka Emerald Fern (Asparagus densiflorus) Family: Liliaceae
   Causes allergic dermatitis with repeated skin contact. Berry ingestion could result in vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Lace Fern (Asparagus setaceus) Family: Liliaceae
   Causes allergic dermatitis with repeated skin contact. Berry ingestion could result in vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Flowering Plants

These toxic garden plants are very popular for their blooms.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp) Family: Primulaceae
   Causes vomiting, gastrointestinal inflammation, and death.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) Family: Saxifragaceae
   Causes vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, increase in heart rate, hyperthermia, depression.

Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp) Family: Crassulaceae
   Causes vomiting and diarrhea. The bufodienolides are cardiotoxic. These are the same type of toxin as found in poisonous toads.

Garden Perennials

These toxic garden plants are perennials in temperate climates; some are houseplants and/or annuals in colder climates.

Charming Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia amoena) Family: Araceae
   Causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.

Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger) Family: Fanunculaceae
   Causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions, delirium.

Flamingo Plant (Anthurium spp) Family: Araceae
   Causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) Family: Scrophalariaceae
   Foxgloves, from which digoxin and other heart medications have been developed, are particularly toxic garden plants. They are very beautiful, and many gardeners use them to add height to their gardens. If you want foxgloves in your garden, consider a fenced-in run for your dog. Causes vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac failure, death.

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) Family: Cannabinaceae
   Causes prolonged central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, weakness, ataxia (loss of muscle control), sedation, sometimes hyperexcitation.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp) Family: Convolvulaceae
   The seeds may cause diarrhea, hallucinations.

Nightshade: there are several varieties; the most common are Deadly Nightshade, Black Nightshade, and Silverleaf Nightshade. (Solanum spp) Family: Solanaceae
   Causes diarrhea, hypersalivation, inappetence (loss of appetite), severe gastrointestinal upset, drowsiness, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, central nervous system depression, confusion, behavioral change.

Onion (Allium spp) Family: Liliaceae
   Causes gastrointestinal upset, hemolytic anemia, heinz body anemia, hemoglobinuria.

Tomato Plant (green parts only) (Lycopersicon spp) Family: Solanaceae
   Causes hypersalivation, inappetence (loss of appetite), severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, drowsiness, central nervous system depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness.

Tropic Snow Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia amoena) Family: Araceae
   Causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Lilies

Most lilies are toxic garden plants to cats only.

Of all the toxic garden plants, shrubs are some of the deadliest. Try to avoid all use of the ones listed here, or use a fenced-in run for your dog.

Cycads (Cycas spp and Zamia spp) Family: Cycadaceae
   Causes vomiting, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, melena (black, tarry stool or vomit, mostly blood that gastric juices have acted on, likely caused by gastroenteritis), icterus (jaundice), increased thirst, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.

Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) Family: Berberidaceae
   Causes vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, pale mucous membranes, slow heart rate, respiratory congestion, respiratory failure, seizures, semi-coma, death.

Holly (Ilex spp) Family: Aguifoliaceae
   Causes intense vomiting and diarrhea, depression.

Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) Family: Solanaceae
   Causes gastrointestinal problems, including possible ulceration of the system, depression, respiratory depression, seizures, shock.

Oleander (Nerium oleander) Family: Apocynaceae
   Causes vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia (decreased body temperature), cardiac abnormalities, death.

Precatory Bean (Abrus precatorius) Family: Leguminosae
   These beans are very toxic, especially if chewed. Causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, hyperthermia (increased body temperature), incoordination, inappetence (loss of appetite), and death.

Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp) Family: Ericaceae
   Causes vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, hypotension (low blood pressure), central nervous system depression, cardiovascular collapse, coma, death.

Saddle Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron selloum) Family: Araceae
   Causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.

Yucca (Yucca spp) Family: Agavaceae
   Causes vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, seizures, depression.

Mistletoe "American" (Phoradendron spp)
   The mistletoe is not really a shrub. It is a parasite that lives off of trees and shrubs. It can often grow to the size of a shrub. Causes gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea (breathing difficulties), bradycardia, erratic behavior.

Although not very toxic to humans (there are health drinks, as well as ointments and salves), aloe is a toxic garden plant to dogs.

Trees

Like toxic garden plants, these trees are very toxic to dogs.

Avocado (Persea americana) Family: Lauraceae
   Causes vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, generalized congestion, fluid accumulation around the heart, death.

Buddist Pine (Podocarpus macrophylla) Family: Araliaceae
   Causes severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Chinaberry Tree (Melia azedarach) Family: Meliaceae
   The berries are the most toxic of this plant. Causes vomiting, diarrhea, slow heart rate, depression, weakness, seizures, shock.

Japanese Yew aka Yew (Taxus spp) Family: Taxaceae
   Causes muscular tremors, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), seizures, sudden death from acute cardiac failure.

Lacy Tree (Philodendron selloum) Family: Araceae
   Causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.

Macadamia Nut aka Queensland Nut, Australia Nut (Macadamia integrifolia smooth shelled, Macadamia tetraphylla rough shelled) Family: Proteaceae
   Causes vomiting, hyperthermia(overheating), weakness, muscular stiffness, tremors, increased heart rate, depression.

Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) Family: Agavaceae
   Causes vomiting, drooling, incoordination, and weakness, inappetence (loss of appetite), depression.

Schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla or Brassaia actinophylla) Family: Araliaceae
   Causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.

Like toxic garden plants, all the ivies listed here from the Araliaceae family cause gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, fever, polydipsia (excessive or abnormal thirst), dilated pupils, muscular weakness and incoordination, hyperactivity, coma. The foliage is much more toxic than the berries, so trim the leaves of these toxic garden plants to above your dog's reach.

Branching Ivy (Hedera helix)

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Glacier Ivy (Hedera helix)

Hahn's self branching English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera helix)

European Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) Family: Solanaceae
   Causes drooling, inappetence (loss of appetite), severe gastric upset, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, drowsiness, lethargy, weakness.

Other Plants

American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) Family: Celastraceae
   Causes weakness, convulsions, gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea).

This is not a complete list of toxic garden plants. The term "spp" after a genus (for example, Amaryllis spp) indicates that all species of that genus are toxic garden plants. Other less popular, but still toxic garden plants, are not included here.

Experts recommend you watch out for the following:

Lawn and Garden Chemicals

It is very easy to reach for a chemical pesticide, fertilizer or fungicide when faced with a problem in the lawn or garden. Fortunately for the average home gardener, safer alternatives are available for most commonly encountered problems, reducing the risk of a toxic exposure for your pet. You would not think that your pet would have any reason to consume these products but sadly they do, either intentionally or inadvertently and these types of poisonings are all too common. Remember before applying any product to your lawn, vegetables, or ornamental plants to read the label and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Many of these products are designed to persist in the environment days to weeks after application, so a pet can have an exposure days to weeks after initial application.

Just like you, plants need food. But pet parents, take care, the fertilizer that keeps our plants healthy and green can wreak havoc on the digestive tracts of our furry friends. Ingesting large amounts of fertilizer can give your pet a good case of stomach upset and may result in life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction. Be sure to follow instructions carefully and observe the appropriate waiting period before letting your pet run wild outside.

Insecticides

Like fertilizer, herbicides, insecticide baits, sprays and granules are often necessary to keep our gardens healthy, but their ingredients aren't meant for four-legged consumption. The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, systemic insecticides with the ingredients disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poisons. Always store pesticides in inaccessible areas and read the manufacturer's label carefully for proper usage and storage.

Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides

If your insect problem is more serious, add a teaspoon of dish soap to a gallon of water and use it in a garden sprayer. The soap is an irritant to a lot of insects and can help break down the protective barriers of their external skeleton. There are commercial insecticidal soaps available that are less toxic than most chemical alternatives.

Cocoa Mulch

Many gardeners use cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, in landscaping. Popular for its attractive odor and color, cocoa mulch also attracts dogs with its sweet smell, and like chocolate, it can pose problems for our canine companions. Depending on the amount involved, ingestion of cocoa mulch can cause a range of clinical signs, from vomiting, diarrhea and muscle tremors to elevated heart rate, hyperactivity and even seizures. Consider using a less-toxic alternative, such as shredded pine, cedar or hemlock bark, but always supervise curious canines in yards where mulch is spread.

Compost

The "black gold" of the garden, recycled kitchen and yard waste can be combined to produce the best garden fertilizer at no cost and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. It can be applied to the lawn and garden twice a year and it will replace the essential nutrients that growing plants and grasses require.

Sometimes we forget the simplest things! Put your pets inside when mowing the lawn. A lawn mower can make a projectile out of a stick or rock that can injure your pet. Paint your garden tools a bright color such as red or yellow so you can see them out in the yard. Many pets step or trip on sharp garden implements. Store your chemicals out of reach and in their original containers. Don't assume your pet will not be interested in consuming these products. If there is a toxic exposure or consumption, call your veterinarian immediately with the information from the product label. Keep your pets inside when applying any chemicals to the lawn or garden. With a little planning you and your pet can enjoy a safe and beautiful garden.