Poison Plants - A Garden Style?

I read Murder mysteries. And a story I read had a host of suspects who had visited a ‘Poison Garden’.  So I, naturally, had to see what kinds of  poison plants were in this poison garden.  Here are some plants I found for a mystery lovers poison garden.
 


The bright purple of Monkshood, Aconitum will catch the eye in the garden.  It grows in Zone 5-8, prefer part shade.The tall spires make a late summer appearance in cottage gardens.  All parts of this plant are poisonous. This herbaceous wildflower was used in the past for medicinal purposes up to the mid-20th century.  It was used to slow the pulse, reduce fever, and as a sedative in very diluted quantities.  However the amount of dilution was unsure  and  ingestion of this plant, new leaves, roots, or flowers, can cause death within four hours.
 
Belladonna, (lower left branches with dark berries) the Atropa belladonna, is often referred to as ‘deadly nightshade’  This perennial can cause dizziness, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting and is deadly.  The alkaloid atropine is that compound  extracted from the roots, that is dangerous, but is used in modern medicine.

Henbane (top right photo) is also in the nightshade family. It has a terrible odor, and like belladonna, is deadly.

Poisonous Hemlock,(Lower right photo) is a herbaceous biennial that like moist woodland areas and even ditches.  Often confused with the wild carrot, Daucus carota, or Queen Ann’s Lace, many poisoning occur when roots are mistaken as parsnips, or anise, and leaves are mistaken as parsley.
 
Center photo is Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, that many have in the garden.  Parts are poisonous, and can cause slowing of the heartbeat, confusion, and blurred vision.  Overdoses of prescribed medicine made from Digitalis can also be deadly.


This pretty plant is Angel’s Trumpet, Datura, Brugmansia, has toxic seeds and flowers. Along with henbane, mandrake, and deadly nightshade, this plant has a history of being used by witches. Hallucinations, often violent, are the reaction to ingesting this plant.


Delphinium, also known as Larkspur, is toxic from all portions of the plant,  Burning lips, and throat, and diarrhea and vomiting are signs of ingestions, and paralysis of the respiratory system is fatal.  Delphinium like cool summers in moist, loamy soil. This perennial is hardy to Zones 3-7.  Tall spikes of many shades of blue and white make a great cut flower.
Bleeding heart, Dicentra eximia,  is a lovely perennial that has toxic foliage and roots.  Dogs and cats may find this plant tasty, but can cause gastric inflammations, and difficulty breathing. 
Other ornamental plants that would fit into this garden style, are Wisteria, Lantana, and yews.

Wisteria is a woody climbing vine or shrub with panicles of violet blooms.  The wisteria is in the Fabaceae family, that of the pea and legumes. Pods and seeds of wisteria are poisonous and may cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.  Only if consumed in large quantities, is this plant fatal.

Lantana, a Verbenceae,  a member of verbena family, is only hardy to zones 9-11.  In northern climates we grow lantana as an annual.  The green berries are toxic and children and pets should be protected from this plant. Lantana toxins attack lungs, kidneys and nervous systems and can be fatal.   Used in sunny gardens, lantana is a frequent stopping point of the swallowtail butterfly.


The yew, is a large group of  evergreen plants, but the Taxus group is the poisonous one with flat needles and berries. Most parts of this plant are toxic, including the bark. Birds are attracted to the berries,(the red portion is not toxic), and distribute seeds.

Top left: Coriander, top Right: Cherry Laurel, Bottom Left: Oleander, Bottom right: Yellow Jasmine

Just a few more poison plants that can be dangerous, are Coriander, Cherry Laurel, Oleander, and Yellow Jasmine.

I have fun watching faces as I tell folks about this garden theme, but in all seriousness, use extreme caution with any plants you use in your garden.

What extreme garden themes do you have?

What a Pretty Spring – 2012

Spring Plants Full of Color

Nice combinations – and planning for the next step in the renovation.
Muscari – Grape Hyacinth and Virginia Bluebells ((Mertensia virginica; also Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf, Roanoke Bells) provide  blue to purple hues to the spring garden. As a spring ephemeral, the Virginia Blue Bells will dry and disappear until next spring.
 



The Honeysuckle Vine never did go dormant this winter.  It has filled in and bloomed quite early.  Have not seen any Hummers yet – they visit regularly when they are in town.

 The Lungwort ( Pulmonaria)  really stretched out and I have moved pieces around the garden. I have several varieties including ‘Mrs. Moon. Pulmonaria 'Majeste'  is a solid silvery-gray leaves with a very narrow green margin. In late spring, light pink buds pop open to reveal darker bluish-pink flower bells.

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Ice'  has long, frosted green leaves edged in pearl with raspberry pink flower clusters provide a stark contrast, and really seem to light this plant up. Even after the flowers fade, the unique foliage plays nicely with hosta all season.


'Sissinghurst White' is the earliest to bloom in my garden – in early March.  White flowering, the leaves are speckled with silver.

 
 

Epimedium, top, also known as Rowdy Lamb Herb, Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat,  and Bleeding Heart, (Dicentra), center,  along with the Primrose are anchored with the Creeping Jenny.  Sweet!

Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum ) and white Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis – Alba) brighten up this area. The crisp leaves of the Solomon’s Seal give some height – 12” or so – to the summer garden, even after the dangling white ‘teardrops’  fade.


 
This is  Lamium, Archangel, and Primrose Primula vulgaris .

These Forget-Me-Nots (Botanical Name: Myosotis. )  are 6 – 8” tall. - much fuller than previous years. I really like the blue flowers.


This Big Root, a hardy geranium, Geranium macrorrhizum: cranesbills  is just about to pop with magenta flowers. It stays evergreen all winter -  a real nice plant for part shade areas.

False Nettle, Lamium, Archangel, has a variegated leaf with a bright yellow bloom.  Lamium does well in the dry, shady bed. There is no sun under this Little Leaf Linden, so the Lamium is a great alternative to grass, which will not grow here.

The coral bells, ( Heuchera)  Chocolate Ruffles and Limelight are sending up buds.

The hypertufa’s overwintered nicely with just a covering a leaves. Pictured are H. Chartreuse Wiggles, and H. PoPo (top).

Japanese Painted Ferns were potted up last fall so we could start the renovation of parts of the yard from shade to sun.  They may stay in the containers for a while yet since I am still working on the layout of the beds.

These shrubs, Junipers, flank the front walk.  I’m thinking about moving them to the back.  They have been in these fiberglass containers for many years, and are almost too big.  Note: when you plant containers for year round use, use plant material that is at least hardy to one zone colder than your zone.  That way the roots don’t freeze to the killing point, and the plants will thrive.

This daylily has caught my attention!  No, it’s not blooming – it has sent up a sport!  The foliage has turned into a variegated leaf – Wow!  I’ve spoken to Barb Kedler, a knowledgeable plant person at Knollwood Garden Center near me.  I have instructions how to divide out the root section with the white striped leaves from the solid green one.  I will replant the striped leaf roots and see if I can’t cultivate a fully variegated plant.  Looking forward to this experiment.  I’ll let you know how the process is going. 
Nature is calling – it’s too nice outside to be in here – so join me again next time.  Enjoy your day!