Southern California has many flowering plants that are often used for landscaping. But if you have young children or pets that are likely to put things in their mouths, be aware that some of our colorful garden favorites can be dangerous. Here are some commonly grown beautiful plants that are toxic if ingested. Use caution if you put them in your garden.
Oleander (Nerium oleander and cvs., Zones 8–10) is a common sight in Southern California gardens. It is hard to resist, with varieties from 3 feet to 20 feet high smothered with long-blooming red, pink, white, or salmon fragrant flowers. What’s more, it grows easily in our conditions: hungry soil, dry air, low water, and hot sun. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most poisonous garden plants around; when ingested, it’s highly toxic to people, pets, and even most livestock. Cardiac glycosides are present in all parts of the plant. Eating even a tiny amount can be lethal. Avoid this showy plant where children or pets could possibly chew on any leaf, flower, or stick.
Although there is still some debate about why grapes, sultanas, and raisins (Vitis spp. and cvs., Zones 5–9) are so toxic to dogs, it appears that the high concentrations of tartaric acid in the fruits may be the culprit. Perfectly safe for people (as long as you cut them small to avoid choking with small children), grapes can cause kidney damage or failure to dogs and cats (although cats are less likely to be attracted). Pets that have eaten grapes should be brought immediately to a veterinarian for attention, since symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and/or excessive thirst may not actually show up for up to 72 hours. Some dogs remain unaffected; for others, eating even a few grapes can be lethal. There is no
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