If you’re wondering if your garden is safe for your dogs, start by checking the plants you have. When picking plants and flowers, Google is a great tool. A quick search can tell you if a plant is safe or not. It’s a good idea to look at different sources because sometimes the information can be different. So, which flowers are safe for dogs?
The Best Dog-Friendly Plants
Bee Balm
Bee balm comes in many colors and smells nice. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It likes sunny spots and comes back every year.
Bee balm has beautiful flowers in red, pink, purple, and white. It also has a nice smell when its leaves are warmed by the sun or touched. Plant bee balm to attract hummingbirds and bees in the summer, and birds that love seeds in the winter.
Roses
Roses are beautiful and safe for dogs. The Knock Out roses are easy to grow, resist disease, and need little care. They bloom all summer.
Roses are some of the most beautiful and useful garden plants. They come in many types, like patio roses, shrub roses, ramblers, and climbers.
Camellia
Camellias are shrubs that need some care at first, but once they are rooted, they need little effort. They like partial shade and don’t need much water once established.
Camellias are popular evergreen shrubs that bloom from late winter to early spring when few other plants are flowering. There are thousands of varieties to choose from, with flowers in white, pink, or red. The flowers can be either single or double.
Marigolds
Marigolds are not only pretty but also bring bees and keep pests away. Their bright, sunny blooms are safe for dogs.
Marigolds are cheerful, brightly colored flowers that bloom in summer. They are great for borders and pots. Most marigolds are yellow and orange, with some red and creamy white varieties. Marigolds are excellent for attracting pollinating insects.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia flowers are pink and purple and look great in hanging baskets. They do well in mild climates and bloom from late spring to late fall.
Fuchsias are loved for their hanging, bell-shaped, bi-colored flowers that look like colorful, dancing skirts. The flowers last all summer long. There are thousands of varieties in shades of white, candy pink, magenta, purple, and red.
Magnolia
Magnolias can grow as trees or bushes. Their flowers can be purple, pink, or white. They like full sun.
Magnolias are beautiful shrubs and trees that add a touch of glamour to the garden. Their stunning, tulip- or star-shaped flowers come in colors ranging from pure white and pink to deep magenta and even yellow.
Creeping Thyme and Basil
Both, Thyme and Basil are practical herbs that are safe pets. Thyme is a perennial plant that covers the ground well. It needs little water and sun. Basil repel insects and prefers sunny spots and well-drained soil. They both are great for cooking.
Grow Creeping Thyme in full sun and well-drained soil. It can be planted in various places like rockeries, raised beds, border edges, window boxes, living walls, green roofs, and shallow pots.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are tall and come in many sizes and colors. They need lots of sun and water. They are safe for dogs and attract birds when their seeds mature.
Sunflowers have bright blooms that last all summer. They are heat-tolerant, resistant to pests, and attract pollinators. In late summer and fall, you can harvest the seeds for a healthy snack or to feed the birds!.
Pineapple Sage
Pineapple sage smells great and attracts hummingbirds. Its pink flowers are safe for dogs. It’s tasty in salads and drinks and might come back in spring if the winter is mild.
Crush the leaves of Pineapple Sage to enjoy a refreshing, fruity aroma mixed with hints of traditional sage. The strength of the scent can vary depending on your region's climate.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are easy to grow in full sun and come in many colors. They are safe for dogs and make beautiful flower arrangements.
Commonly known as snapdragons, these easy-to-grow plants are a favorite in old-fashioned cottage gardens. Loved by children and bees, snapdragons come in many different colors and heights, making them suitable for various garden spots.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are my favorite. Their flowers are edible and spicy. They grow well in poor soil without fertilizers. They add color and smell wonderful.
Nasturtiums not only look spectacular, but their flowers, leaves, and seeds are edible. Also known as Indian cress, they make great companion plants in the vegetable patch.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are great for indoor gardens. They are safe for dogs and can help clean the air. They grow well in indirect light.
Lavender
Lavender has a lovely scent and purple flowers. It’s safe for dogs and can help repel insects. It prefers sunny spots and well-drained soil.
Other Dog-Safe Plants
Some other safe plants for dogs are zinnias, petunias, asters, impatiens, cosmos, phlox, coral bells, canna lily, white ginger, gerbera daisies, sweet viburnum, bottlebrush, and ixora.
Petunias are among the most popular flowering annuals. They are loved for their pretty blooms, which come in a variety of colors, sizes, and growth habits.
Impatiens are bright and cheerful annuals that can light up any dark and shady part of your yard with their colorful flowers. You can plant them in flower beds or shaded borders, and they also grow well in containers.
Cosmos fill borders with many flowers in colors from white to pink, red, and orange, set against feathery foliage. Shorter varieties look good in containers, and all cosmos make fantastic cut flowers.
Creeping phlox is a dwarf plant that forms low-growing mats of slender evergreen leaves and bursts into a blaze of color. The range of pretty colors includes white, lilac, mauve, purple, and pink.
Canna lilies are impressive tender perennials that offer height and dramatic foliage. Often used in bedding displays, tropical borders, or large containers, canna lilies provide great value for money, giving years of color and drama.
Gerbera daisies come in a wide range of warm colors, including pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and purples, plus a timeless white with a black center. They are popular with home gardeners due to their vibrant, bright colors and velvety petals.
Sweet Viburnum is an evergreen shrub with large, glossy leaves. In the spring, it produces many small, white, and super fragrant blooms.
Bottlebrush is a dog-safe shrub to consider for your landscape. Its fluffy red flowers, which look like a bottlebrush, bloom from spring through summer. It's also a great way to attract hummingbirds to your yard.
Ixora is a semi-tropical evergreen shrub that requires minimal care, making it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. It produces bright clusters of red, orange, or yellow blooms from spring through summer.
Are Succulents Safe For Dogs?
It’s important to check each type of succulent to see if it’s safe for dogs. Hens and Chicks are safe, and many types of Sedum are too. Most succulents are easy to care for and can be a great addition to your garden.
Tips To Design A Dog-Friendly Garden
Creating a garden that is safe and fun for your dogs doesn’t have to be difficult. We have a whole post about it. Here are some quick tips to help you design such a garden:
- Dogs love to run and explore. Creating a designated pathway for them can help keep your garden intact.
- Make sure your garden has shady spots where your dog can rest on hot days.
- Ensure your garden is enclosed with a fence to keep your dog safe. Check for any gaps or holes where your dog might escape.
- Dogs love to dig. Instead of trying to stop this natural behavior, give them a specific spot where they can dig freely. Fill a sandbox or a corner of the garden with soft soil or sand.
- Use small fences or garden borders to protect delicate plants and flowers from curious dogs.
- Consider adding features that your dog will enjoy, such as: a doghouse, a small ramp or tunnel and a digging pit filled with toys and treats