Katie Rushworth brand identity
Katie Rushworth brand identity

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Pet safe plants for your garden

Pet safe plants for cats and dogs in your garden

As a passionate gardener as well as an avid dog lover, I’m always keen to make sure I use pet-safe plants in my own garden and my clients’ too. I’m well aware of the mischief our pets can get up to when unsupervised – most of the time it’s (hopefully) relatively harmless – a chewed slipper, or upended bin. But where plants are concerned, the results of getting too inquisitive can be much more serious.Katie Rushworth's pet dog

Some garden favourites that we might plant out without a second thought can actually be toxic to cats and dogs. It’s really important to do your research when choosing new plants and getting a new pet. In this article, I’ll let you know some of my favourite pet-safe plants for cats and dogs.

As pet owners, we want to do all we possibly can to make sure our furry friends are safe and well. The best course of action is to keep a good eye on your pet when they’re out in the garden, particularly if they’re a new addition or inquisitive younger animal. Supervision will not only reduce the likelihood of them soiling your seedlings or digging up a treasured shrub – it will also keep them safe. If your pet ever starts to show signs of illness such as drooling, vomiting or seeming lethargic, always call your vet.

Top pet-safe plants for your garden

Please note that this isn’t an exhaustive list, so do check when you’re planning your plant purchases.

Scented roses are a great flower for summer colourRoses

Roses are one of my absolute favourites, as you’ll know if you read my recent article on flowers for summer colour. With regular deadheading, pruning and feeding you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms year after year.

Safe for: All varieties of rose are safe for both cats and dogs.

Lavender

Lavender is a lovely, structural plant with fragrant purple blooms that give off a waft of heady fragrance when brushed against. It’s really easy to care for and will grow vigorously with very little maintenance.

Safe for: Cats and dogs. Note, lavender plants are fine for your pet, but lavender oil can be toxic – so keep them away from your essential oils!

Asters

Asters are pet safe garden plants

Asters are an easy-care perennial with beautiful purple daisy-like flowers in summer. They benefit from cutting back after flowering so that they can grow nice and vigorously next year.

Safe for: Cats and dogs

 

Bamboo

Ornamental bamboo is a popular choice for smaller gardens, in particular – I love how it looks planted in a large pot, willowy stems standing tall and delicate foliage blowing in the breeze. Bamboo is great for screening off areas of your garden that you’d like to make more private, too.

Safe for: Cats and dogs – although your dog might be attracted to the long stems, which are great for chewing!

Snapdragons, pet safe garden plantsSnapdragons

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) are a great structural addition to any garden, with tall spires of ornate, brightly-coloured flowers. They’re also great for bees, who are one of the few insects up to the task of opening the blooms!

Safe for: Cats and dogs

Cat grass

Cat grass isn’t up to that much aesthetically – it just looks like, well, grass. But if you’ve got a cat or dog who loves to chew and nibble, cat grass is a great addition to your garden. Your pet can nibble away happily risk-free, and it may even assist with digestion.

Safe for: Cats and dogs

SunflowersSunflowers are pet safe garden plants

Sunflowers are another favourite of mine for the sheer joy and drama they can bring to even the smallest yard. They’re really easy to grow from seed so are fun for children, and the best bit? They’re non-toxic for pets.

Safe for: Cats and dogs

If you’re planning a garden redesign, I’d love to help you. You can book a 30-minute virtual Zoom garden consultation here, and we’ll talk through ideas for design, plant choices and pet-safe plants, if needed. Happy gardening! Katie x

Katie's expertise is transforming clients' gardens with their video calls and garden visits...

My consultation with Katie was superb! Katie's focused and erudite knowledge really helped me transform my garden into something I would truly be proud to show off. Katie went into great depth and was very patient with my questions, guiding me through the process and enabling me to understand her thinking. I could not praise Katie enough, and would truly recommend her to anyone who is keen to breathe some new life into their garden!  

Shazia

I am absolutely delighted with Katie’s design service and feel that it was money very well spent. Katie came up with something that we would never have thought of but still feel is totally achievable. She completely fulfilled every point on the brief I had written and was so prompt with all of the follow-up information, including a helpful sketch and list of suitable planting. Katie has totally exceeded my expectations of what I thought could be achieved in a 30-minute call!

Claire

It was really great having a consultation with Katie. I really enjoyed it and she is so knowledgeable, advising me some ideas that are going to transform our garden. I'm so grateful. I've never known where to start and now I have a way forward. After I've finished my back garden I'm going to get a second consultation for the front. Thanks so much.

Anonymous

I would not hesitate to recommend Katie's Gardening Consultation via Zoom. Her knowledge of plants & garden design has helped enormously in my deciding what to do with the Garden.
Katie has given great advice & recommendations for making the garden perfect for us. 

Sandra

My zoom consult with Katie far exceeded my expectations!  She clearly took the time to assess my garden before our call and presented a brilliant plan for my garden as well as provided lots of tips for the planting.  I was even able to show her some additional problem areas in my garden during the consult and she offered practical advice that was really helpful and allowed me to envision what my garden can become with a little confidence and willingness to plant and design more boldly! I can’t say enough positive things about the consult. I highly recommend! 

Kyla in Southwest Idaho, USA

We were looking for some fresh ideas to rejuvenate an old garden. Katie has an easy-going and friendly approach which is underpinned by her extensive knowledge. She quickly aligned herself to our thought process and understood what we are trying to achieve. 
She made a number of innovative suggestions that challenged our preconceptions and we feel that we now have a plan to move forward.

N & P Cannon

Katie helped us see our dream garden where we couldn’t, taking time to understand our thoughts and favourite parts of the garden.
Katie was great fun to be around and has provided us with a beautiful plan for our garden which we will enjoy for a long time to come.

Anonymous

Without any exaggeration, the Katie Rushworth Garden Maker is the Best Investment I have ever made. My garden was stuck in the past and I had no idea how to transform it. I never dreamt in my wildest dreams, that I would be lucky enough for Katie Rushworth (personally) to work her magical garden design, with her professionalism and knowledge to transform my garden. She cuts no corners, you get far more than you could ever pay for, she works really hard to deliver the right garden for you and on top of all that she is a very nice person!

Roger in Stourbridge

Katie must be a mindreader because the scheme she created for us was just perfect; great variety, textures and all very much in the Japanese theme we had dreamed of. It was so helpful and also really enjoyable to be able to spend the day planting with her and learn lots of useful tips for maintenance and beyond. We can’t wait to watch it grow and change with the seasons.

Ruth in York

Working with Katie has been fantastic and worth every penny, she has helped me create two beautiful areas in my garden. It now looks fantastic!

Fiona in Holmfirth

Katie has been incredibly helpful as we set about transforming our front & back gardens, and we have learnt so much in a short space of time. We didn’t want someone to just do it all for us – we wanted to be hands-on but with some guidance & encouragement, and Katie’s mentoring has been perfect for that. She is very easy to work with, great fun – and she’s certainly done her share of digging & planting too!

Andrew & Susan in Baildon

Katie really knows her plants, where they are happiest. She understood our needs and wants and simply delivered. Great knowledge, great advice and taught this old dog a few new tricks giving me the confidence to take my own garden planning to the next level.

Tricia & Ian in East Hardwick

Katie Rushworth is a passionate and knowledgeable gardener whose enthusiasm is infectious. She has a great eye for design and is also good at explaining things. Oh, and she’s not at all afraid to get her hands dirty!

Alan Titchmarsh