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Warm weather means that you will be spending more time outdoors on your patio or in your garden and your pets will probably be outdoors too. That means that you have to keep them safe from toxic plants.
Some flowers and shrubs are safe for people but are toxic for animals, according to Southern Living. While it is easy to keep dangerous plants away from your fur babies indoors, it is much harder in your garden. Knowing which plants are safe for your pets makes it easier to plan your garden space. But if you are unsure, you should always contact your veterinarian if your pet eats the leaves, flowers, or bulbs of an outdoor plant.
Here are seven perennials, annuals and shrubs that are safe for your cats and dogs. Plant some today to enjoy their beauty all season long.
Sunflower
Sun flowers are beautiful and can be used as a natural border around your home according to the BetterPet blog. That’s because these bright flowers grow several feet tall. Besides being safe for dogs and cats, the seeds of the sunflower attract birds into your yard.
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Magnolia Bushes
Magnolia bushes are pet safe and known for their fragrant blossoms. These bushes are extremely easy to care for because they can tolerate drought, but you must water young plants. Magnolias also require very little pruning.
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Echeveria
This hardy succulent makes a beautiful addition to a rock garden and requires little water or care. Also known as painted lady, copper rose, or wax rosette, this plant is safe for cats and dogs, but other succulents are not. A blog on the Succulents Box website lists which ones are safe and which ones to avoid.
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Asters
Asters are an easy to care for perennial that has purple flowers that bloom in the summer, explained the Katie Rushworth Garden Maker blog. These pet safe flowers should be cut back after they bloom so that they can grow and thrive the next year. Perennials should be a part of every flower garden.
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Bamboo
Ornamental bamboo is the perfect choice for small gardens. You can plant bamboo in a pot on your patio or to screen off areas for privacy. This cat and dog safe plant is a favorite for canines (pandas too) who enjoy chewing on the stems.
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Snapdragons
These beautiful yellow, white, pink, or red annual flowers flourish in spring according to BetterPet. Snap dragons require full sun, so location is important. Besides being safe for your fur babies, pollinators love this nectar plant, so you can help bees while beautifying your garden.
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Forsythia
These lovely low maintenance bushes – that are often used as a hedge around back yards – have bright golden bell blooms in the spring and are extremely low maintenance. They can thrive in partial shade and only have to be watered once a week; unless it rains. This pet safe plant is deciduous and sheds its leaves in the fall.
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