Are you searching for perennials that are non-toxic and safe for animals? Here’s a list of seven beautiful flowering perennials to get you going. These plants bring incredible beauty to a garden, nourish the pollinators, and won’t cause any problems for dogs or cats if they decide to nibble some!
These classic outdoor succulents are safe for pets and are beautiful perennials that, depending on the variety, bloom from early summer to late fall. Some varieties grow as ground covers, low to the ground, while others have an upright habit. Their common traits are fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers, which may range from pink to white to yellow!
Are you searching for perennials that are non-toxic and safe for animals? Here’s a list of seven beautiful flowering perennials to get you going. These plants bring incredible beauty to a garden, nourish the pollinators, and won’t cause any problems for dogs or cats if they decide to nibble some!
These classic outdoor succulents are safe for pets and are beautiful perennials that, depending on the variety, bloom from early summer to late fall. Some varieties grow as ground covers, low to the ground, while others have an upright habit. Their common traits are fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers, which may range from pink to white to yellow!
Here’s another groundcover that’s perfectly safe for our pawed friends. This fragrant perennial will grow a beautiful mat over any bare space in the garden. It’s lovely in between rocks or around stone steps. Thyme displays tiny white, pink, or yellow flowers. Plus, they’ll give you a fresh supply of herbs throughout the growing season!
The prickly leaves and flowers on these perennials wouldn’t be very tempting to dogs and pets, but even if they were, they’re still safe in case of ingestion. Those prickly leaves give this flower a unique personality, but the exquisite blue flowers themselves make it a gem in any garden. The round indigo globes are highly attractive to pollinators, and we guarantee you’ll have a hard time taking your eyes off them too.
The dense thickets of coreopsis bring an airy texture to the perennial garden. They’re the kind of place a cat may crawl into to get some shade and feel tempted to nibble a leaf or two. Fortunately, your pets won’t suffer from this non-toxic plant. When they start to unfurl their riot of bright yellow flowers in early summer, they’ll have your garden looking like a dense meadow of wildflowers.
Speaking of wildflowers, echinacea, also known as coneflower, is another native perennial that brings bright color to the garden. The most common variety is the purple coneflower, which dazzles your eyes with bright violet petals and a burgundy center laden with pollen. The other petal colors of yellow, orange, or white are just as dazzling, with as much pollen and sweet fragrance. Plus, it’s non-toxic for cats and dogs.
This perennial is another blue flower to enjoy in the garden, not to be confused with the coneflower. Like other blue blossoms, they make outstanding compliments to hot-colored red, yellow, orange, or pink flowers. They also stand alone as a beautiful patch of sky blue. Also called bachelor buttons, these perennials are safe for cats and dogs.
Not many cats or dogs would want to take a bite of rose cane; still, even if they sampled a petal or a smooth young shoot, you can sleep soundly knowing they’re non-toxic. That’s just one more reason to add these extraordinary perennials to the garden.
Many modern rose hybrids are quite resilient and easy to maintain. In truth, the heritage breeds aren’t that tricky either and well worth the effort. As for the thorns, if you have a particularly rambunctious pup running through your garden, they might pose a hazard. Otherwise, they’re not usually a problem.
These are just a few of many perennials that are non-toxic to pets. If you have questions about the toxicity of other plants, you can usually check with ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). If you find your pet has a constant desire to eat plants in your garden, it may be a sign of a nutrient or fiber deficiency, boredom, or another problem. If you’re concerned, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian. Solving the underlying problem may be what’s required to keep them out of the garden.
If you have any other questions about plants or need supplies, please feel free to drop by our garden centers in Virginia and Maryland!
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