Some plants contain toxins that can cause several problems for dogs, such as diarrhoea or vomiting. Here, experts at tails.com have created a guide to dog-friendly plants that won’t harm our furry friends. From floral arrangements to evergreen shrubs, here are the most pup-friendly plants.
Snapdragons (Antirrhinums)
Sow: March / Plant: May-June / Flowers: June-October
Antirrhinums are cheerful annual plants guaranteed to brighten up your garden with their wide range of colours and heights. Commonly known as Snapdragons, these are easy-to-grow. As old-fashioned cottage garden plants, they are beloved by children and bees. Attractive to wildlife, they have a long flowering period, from June until October. If you have tall Snapdragons in your garden, they can be brought into your home, simply cut and pop them in a vase with water – they last well over a week in water.
Michaelmas Daisies
Sow: March-April / Plant: March-May / Flowers: July-October
There’s a Michaelmas daisy, also known as asters, to suit every garden – they come in shades of white, blue, purple and pink. They’re extremely popular with bees and butterflies, too. When adding this gorgeous addition to your garden, grow Michaelmas daisies in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade and cut back after flowering.
Camellias
Plant: Oct-November / Flowers: October-April / Prune: April-May
Camellias, a popular evergreen shrub that produces a beautiful display of flowers during late winter and early spring, when little else is in flower in the garden. There are thousands of varieties to choose from, with white, pink or red flowers. When they are not flowering, their shiny evergreen leaves look great all year round.
Soil conditions are the utmost important factor when planting Camellias, they need to grow in acidic soil. If you don’t have this type of soil in your garden, you can opt for growing them in plant pots.
Camellias do best in a partially shaded spot in your garden, sheltered from the wind.
Sunflowers
Sow: March-May / Plant: April-June / Flowers: June-September
Sunflowers are one of the nation’s most popular flowers. Did you know, Sunflowers also come in rusty red, green and white flowering forms and not just the iconic yellow?
Depending on the Sunflower, they can take 11-18 weeks to flower from seed sowing. So here’s a top tip – when sowing Sunflower seeds, sow some every couple of weeks – that’ll mean you’ll have a constant supply of cheerful Sunflowers throughout summer.
TOP TIP:
If your pup is known for misbehaving in the garden and digging up holes where they shouldn’t be, why not create different routes through the garden. By adding in clearly defined routes through the garden, it will keep your four-legged friend away from your lovely new plants! If your pooch thinks they are a professional digger, create a designated digging or play areas to keep your dog stimulated. Try adding different textures that can be stimulating underfoot, and plants such as salix and ornamental grasses dance and sway, providing entertainment.
If the plants mentioned above don’t take your fancy, other dog-friendly plants include; Elaeagnus, impatiens, Centaurea (cornflower) and calendulas. Ranging from hedge plants to floral additions, your garden will look blooming lovely all year round!