Pet friendly plants

After a long cold winter, gardens are beginning to awaken and spring feels as though it’s here at long last. With the weather warming up, many of our pets will spend more time outdoors.

You may be aware that there are some plants – such as daffodils, lilies and laburnum – that can be dangerous to our four-legged friends. So what shrubs will give you a colourful and pet-friendly garden?

PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-nathan says: “Owning a pet doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful garden, you’ll just need to do a bit more planning to steer clear of any plants that can be harmful.”

African Daisies look exotic, will brighten up your garden, and are fairly resilient. Crocuses are a good alternative to daffodils, but avoid colchicums, also known as autumn crocuses, which can be poisonous.

Ferns and African violets are safe for dogs, while sunflowers and snapdragons are harmless for cats. Speak with your garden centre as the Horticultural Trade Association has a code of practice that most garden centres adhere to. The code labels plants A – poisonous, B – Toxic if eaten and C – Harmful if eaten. Plants in any of these categories are best avoided for a pet-friendly garden.

Olivia adds: “Just a small amount of time researching can prevent a large vet bill. There’s no reason why you can’t have the best of both worlds – a great looking garden that’s also safe for your pet to enjoy.”