There’s so much on my plate right now, it’s hard to settle down and get anything done. The to-do list just keeps getting longer no matter how I struggle, and my mind seems to be whirling like a tornado. There is real excitement in the air, and it’s all about spring!

In March, the first round of pruning. Now it’s April, and that first round of pruning has resulted in a gorgeous flush of new growth -- weak and pale, but lovely because it harbours the hint of more to come. Though you’ll probably be pruning most of this round off to keep a good plant shape, the time has come to start with a gentle, weak solution of fertilizer and to get growing!

One of my to-do’s involves a wee young rescue dog recently adopted from 1atatimerescue.com. Forest walks with him help clear my mind and remind me to breathe deeply. What a glorious gift! But he’s curious, and this brings to mind that, among all the new shoots and rebirth, there are many plants that are poisonous.

The list here covers the most common, and I’ve had to relocate plants both indoors and out (it’s been a long time since we’ve had a young one around!). Please be aware of the following, and protect all your young ones. Then, remember to bloom where you are planted!

Poisonous House Plants
Asparagus Fern (asparagus plumosus) (sprengeri)
Avocado (persea americana)
Blue Gum (eucalyptus globulus)
Buddhist Pine (podocarpus Macrophyllus)
Cacti:
•    Bunny Ears (opuntia microdasy's alkispina)
•    Column (cereus peruvianus)
•    Rat's Tail (aporocactus flagelliformis)
•    Sunset (lokwia famatimensis)
Caladium (Angel's Wings)
Century Plant
Crown of Thorns (euphorbia milii splendens)
Cyclamen
Dieffenbachia
Holly (ilex)
Ivy:
•    Cape (tenecio macroglossus)
•    English (hedera helix)
•    German (senecio mikanioides)
•    Glacier (hedera helix glacier)
•    Gloire de Marengo (hedera canariensis)
•    Needlepoint (hedera helix sagittlae folica)
Jerusalem Cherry (solanum pseudocapsicum)
Mistletoe (phoradendron flavescens)
Philodendron:
•    Arrowhead (syngonium podophyllum)
•    Black Gold ( ph. melanochryson)
•    Devil's Ivy (Pothos) (scindapsus aureus)
•    Elephant's Ear (philodendron hastatum)
•    Fiddle Leaf (ph. pandurae forme)
•    Green Gold (syngonium podophyllum)
•    Marble Queen (scindapsus aureus)
•    Ornamental Pepper (capsicum annuum)
•    Silver Vine (scindapsus pictus)
•    Split Leaf (monstera delicosa)
•    Sweetheart Vine (philodendron scandens)
Red (hemigraphis colorata)
Umbrella Plant (cyperus)

Poisonous Garden Plants
Azalea (azalea indica)
Bleeding Heart (dicentra formosa)
Calla Lily (zantedeschia aethiopica)
Carnation (dianthus caryophyllus)
Castor-oil plant (ricinus communis)
Chinese or Japanese Lantern (physalis)
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Crocus (colchicum autumnale)
Daffodil (narcissus)
Delphineum
Foxglove (digitalis purpurea)
Gladiola (bulb)
Hyacinthe (hyacinthus orientalis)
Iris
Jonquil (narcissus)
Lily of the Valley (convallaria)
Morning Glory (ipomaea tricolour)
Narcissus
Oleander (nerium oleander)
Pansy (seeds) (viola tricolour)
Peony (root) (paeonia officinalis)
Primrose (primula)
Sweet Pea (lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet William (dianthus barbatus)

Poisonous Hedges and Bushes
Black Locust (robinia pseudoacacia)
Buckthorn (rhamnus cathartica)
Cherry Laurel (laurocerasus officinalis)
Daphne (daphne mezereum)
Elderberry (not berries)
Horse Chestnut (aesculus hippocastanum)
Hydrangea
Laburnum (laburnum anagyroides)
Privet (ligustrum vulgare)
Virginia Creeper (ampelopis brevipedunculata)

Gail Hirst is an Interior Landscape Specialist 604-984-6341 or plantpal@telus.net

Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Apr - May 07