Gardening with pets in mind requires thoughtful planning, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on beauty or variety. While many plants can pose risks to our furry companions, there are stunning options that are safe and durable for gardens frequented by dogs. Whether you’re revamping a shady corner or adding a pop of color, the following are some offerings from Jay Sifford’s recently featured landscape design that are of particular interest, adding lushness without being potentially dangerous if they are nibbled on by your pups. See eight plants will help you create a full-feeling, pet-friendly landscape below.
Learn more about this garden here: Designing a Beautifully Lush, Dog-friendly Garden
‘Everillo’ sedge
(Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’)
Zones: 5–9
Size: 1½ to 2 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Japan
This versatile, lime-green, grasslike plant is tough as nails. It can tolerate romping dogs and survive an occasional dog accident too. It also brightens up the shady corners.
Autumn fern
(Dryopteris erythrosora)
Zones: 5–8
Size: 1½ to 2½ feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Japan, China, and Taiwan
An evergreen fern that’s a tough garden workhorse, it’s nontoxic to dogs and can tolerate occasional light paw traffic.
Japanese maple
(Acer palmatum and cvs.)
Zones: 5–9
Size: 4 to 25 feet tall and wide (depending on variety)
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Japan
These trees deserve a place in any garden with conditions that favor them. The foliage is nontoxic to dogs, but smaller and lower branches can be brittle and break off if you have energetic pups.
‘Feelin’ Blue’ deodar cedar
(Cedrus deodara ‘Feelin’ Blue’)
Zones: 6–9
Size: 4 to 5 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Native range: The Himalayas
You’ll see ‘Feelin’ Blue’ used repeatedly in this garden. It is a tough conifer, even handling occasional spraying by dogs, and the silvery blue needles are a wonderfully calming color.
Coneflower
(Echinacea spp. and cvs.)
Zones: 3–9
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide (depending on variety)
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Native range: North America
Coneflowers are a staple that always add a strong dose of color to the summer garden. They attract a plethora of pollinators and are nontoxic to dogs.
Heuchera
(Heuchera spp. and cvs.)
Zones: 4–9
Size: 6 to 18 inches tall and wide (depending on variety)
Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: North America and the Russian Far East
These perennials are indispensable when it comes to adding foliage color to a landscape. A bonus is that they will not harm your pups if munched on.
‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass
(Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’)
Zones: 5–9
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Native range: Africa and Asia
This fountain grass, along with most ornamental grasses, is dog friendly and can hold up well to occasional canine frolicking.
‘Zagreb’ threadleaf tickseed
(Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’)
Zones: 3–9
Size: 1 to 1½ feet tall and wide
Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Native range: North America
‘Zagreb’ is a nativar that’s a strong grower and adds a welcome profusion of butter-yellow flowers in early summer. And you can rest assured that if eaten, it will not harm Fido.
These eight plants prove that creating a beautiful, pet-friendly garden doesn’t have to be a compromise. With their vibrant colors, interesting textures, and nontoxic qualities, these selections offer the perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality.
Jay Sifford is an award-winning garden designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jay Sifford is an award-winning garden designer residing in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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