Questions About Gardening with Shade and Dogs
Forum Archives
LeahB
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 8:30am
I wanted to introduce myself. I live in the South Puget Sound area. I moved to Washington from Georgia, previously Tennessee, previously Indiana (my husband is military...). I started gardening when we purchased our home here. Since then I have a huge mixed border with evergreens, perennials, annuals, etc. and have started taking horticulture classes. I've never done any vegetable gardening but I'm sure I will try it out eventually. I'm also starting my first stab at growing from seeds. I'm looking forward to learning from all of you through this great forum!
I do have a question regarding plants for shady areas. I'm looking for something with some height (above 3 feet)and preferrably something that blooms. The problem is that everything I find is toxic to pets and I have 2 dogs. Do any of you have any suggestions? Thanks!!
Novice Gardener (But Learning Fast!) South Puget Sound Area
Screaming Eagle
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 9:28am
Welcome to Rainyside! and to the Pacific NorthWest. I'm sure folks will chime in for you, I'm not the best with lists (and not sure about toxicity to pets) but wanted to say hi anyway.
Theresa
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 9:30am
Welcome to Rainyside LeahB!
Are you wanting natives or any ornamental perennial suggestions?
Jeanne
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 10:02am
Besides Rhodies and Azalias, we are growing Wild Current, Enkianthus, Vine Maple, Boxwood, Pieris, Camellia, Red Twig Dogwood, Viburnum, Winter Daphne, hardy Fuchsia, Mahonia under mature maples, willow, Mugo Pine and Birch here in Portland. I dont have any dogs, but our neighbors pups love our yard, and I love them and we all seem to be thriving.
Carol
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 10:11am
We have several dog-owning gardeners who will be able to offer you great advice. Until then, check out Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs found on Rainy Side's bookshelf.
Welcome to Rainy Side!
. . . I'm having a case of deja vu. I think this topic - coping with dogs in the garden - has come up before. You might want to try a search (see button at top of page) to see what other useful bits of info you can find here.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 10:18am
I found a link to help you research which plants are poisonous to dogs.
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/intro.htm
Keep in mind that just because a plant is labeled poisonous doesn't mean that degree of toxicity is equal from one plant to the next. "The dose makes the poison." Your dogs may need to eat a bushel of something before it has an effect on them, especially if they are big dogs.
Which type of dogs do you own? Are they diggers and chewers?
Garden Spider
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 7:04pm
Hi, Leah, and welcome to Rainyside!
I garden with 2 German Shepherds; before that, we had an Airedale mix, who was definately a challenge. Terriers dig, and nothing you do/want/plan/train will change that). German Shepherds are herders and guards, and do "border patrol"; running around the perimeter of the yard to ensure nothing and nobody gets in, which means there are paths worn next to all the fences, and nothing will grow there.
What I've found that works: 1) avoid locating plants in certain areas (next to the south fence, where the neighbor's kids play, and get the dogs excited). Nothing is going to live in that area, so maight as well not even try. 2) barricade beds I want the dogs to stay out of. I'm using a cedar picket that comes in a roll; it's only about 18 to 24 in high, but the dogs respect it as a barrier (well, I am still training the new girl in that respect, and may have to resort to a higher fence). 3) choosing plants that will survive being stepped on/played on/galloped on/rolled on. 4) not buying any plant to expensive that I'll cry if it dies. 5) accepting the fact that the dogs WILL do damage, some plants are just gonna be killed, and the back yard will never look pristine. I keep the dogs out of the front yard, and that's where I do the majority of my gardening for looks.
I can't find my link to toxic plants; the book by Cheryl Smith (recommended by Lisa) has a list in it. It is a great book, BTW!
Barb
LeahB
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Apr-08-2005 at 7:47pm
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I have 2 labs - one is 2 years old and the other 3 months. They don't dig too much but the puppy definitely chews. He chewed the top right off one of my Lillies that have just come out of the ground and worked on some tulips too . The plants I had thought about using were digitalis (foxglove), hellebores, lilly-of-the-valley, etc. but saw that they were all toxic. I'd prefer native drought-tolerant plants but am open to all suggestions. Thanks again!! Novice Gardener (But Learning Fast!) South Puget Sound Area
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Apr-09-2005 at 7:54pm
Garden Spider,
I love your advice about dogs. It sounds so practical! I don't have a dog yet because my husband is against it but someday I will get one and I will remember what you said.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton