Hidden dangers in your garden

SUMMER brings a wealth of outdoor activities for children, including exploring the nooks and crannies of their own gardens.

But there could potentially be toxic plants around every corner, from monkshood and laburnum to hemlock, aquilegia, autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale), lords-and-ladies and hellebores.

The dangers range from skin irritation and allergic reactions, including severe blistering from touching plants to poisoning if eaten.

Here are five of the most common toxic plants (also see Best of the bunch, right):

●●Monkshood (Aconitum, below left) Often planted under trees or spring-flowering shrubs at the back of a border, bearing tall spikes of helmeted flowers in blues and purples in the summer, all parts of the plant are poisonous and a skin irritant, causing burning of the lips and mouth, intense vomiting, diarrhoea and spasms.

●●Laurel Many of us have laurel in our gardens – it belongs to the family that includes apple, cherry, plum and almond. But be warned that when you chop your laurel hedge the sap gives off an unbelievably soporific effect and you may fall asleep.

●●Foxglove (Digitalis) They produce tall spikes bearing bell-like flowers in a variety of colours, and are often grown in partial shade, reaching heights of up to 2m (6ft). All parts of the plant are poisonous.

●●Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba, below right) These beautiful summer-flowering climbers produce red flowers with yellow tips but their beauty belies their toxicity and every part of the plant – particularly the corm – is poisonous.

●●Rue (Ruta graveolens) Historically grown as a medicinal plant for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, avoid getting sap on your skin, which in sunlight can cause a blistering reaction which can last for weeks.

●●WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY If you think your child has eaten part of a poisonous plant or suffered an allergic reaction to it, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital, taking a plant sample with you, the RHS advises. The main message is that you should be aware of the plants which are toxic – and teach your children that if it isn’t a recognised food, don’t eat it.