Would you plant foxgloves in a garden used by kids?

[gardeningnovice5]

I have a lot of shade in my garden and had my heart set on buying 10-15 foxgloves to brighten things up. But I’ve just read they’re poisonous.

I have two young kids and whilst I don’t think they’d eat the plant, they do enjoy picking leaves off things.

Is there any plant other than ferns (which I’m also planning to buy) that could work as an alternative?

Plenty of shade-loving plants: https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/the-best-shade-loving-plants/

Also foxgloves are toxic for animals too, so if you have pets that is another reason to take them off your list.

I would have done but recently someone on here linked to a story a mum had written after her daughter ate some. It was awful how ill it made her.

For that reason, I would now hold off at least until the kids were old enough to really understand they are toxic.

@gardeningnovice5

It depends how 🤔 old they are ?

and if they are old enough to understand the danger of them Foxgloves plants or not?

Yes.

My garden has all sorts of plants toxic to children and dogs, as does the countryside.Neither came to any harm - the child wasn't left unsupervised until she clearly understood not to eat anything without express permission, and not to touch one or two plants. The dog seemed to know what he could and couldn't nibble.

they do enjoy picking leaves off things.
This is the problem, not the plants. If you don't stop this in your own garden when you are supervising then what is going to stop them in a friends or relatives garden, or on a walk or in a park?

I grew up in a garden full of foxgloves and other "dangerous " plants, as did my own children. We were taught very early on not to touch or eat plants (or mushrooms or berries) without explicit permission of a parent.

I would and have in the past. I taught my children not to eat any plants without checking first - lots are poisonous (laburnum, euphorbia to name but two others). It’s an important lesson and your own garden is a good place to start.

Yes I would, but I also taught my children how to behave around plants.

Those big shiny black berries on the laurel
hedge next door planted are highly toxic. So are the foxgloves and plenty of other plants.
The currants, raspberries and blackberries are edible and delicious.
It was important the children knew what was ok and what wasn’t, and to never eat something from the garden without checking.

I’m not going to take the risk after reading the link that another poster referred to above. Maybe in a few years time when they’re more able to understand the dangers.

I’ve placed an order for some Astilbe instead.

I have a fairly shady garden and lot of things haven't thrived. Astilbe did, but I didn't much like the look of them. Then last year I bought three Salvia Amistad on impulse at a garden centre, and they were a surprise success. Grew huge and flowered well into October, the bees loved them.

Most plants are toxic to some degree. Apparently you'd be safer eating a random mushroom than a random plant!

I wouldn't plant foxgloves in a garden with children who might eat them, but it's so so important to teach kids they should only eat what you tell them is safe. There are lots of beautiful looking berries that are very toxic, even in the UK.

I love foxgloves.
We have a shady garden and Japanese Anenomes are a good alternative. They can exist in deep shade and seem to flower from July to October. They are tall and bob over the top of other plants in the same way that foxgloves do. They self set and are pretty indestructible.
Fuschias also like shade.

Just wait a year of two if you’re really worried. My granny had them in her garden and they make me feel happy.

teach them 'no picking no licking'

many, many ornamental plants are poisonous. even the green of tomatos or potatos! daffodils!

but yes, I would plant them. and also look up what a young plant looks like so that you can identify it when they self seed.

aconite is about the only one I wouldn't have in a garden where children can reach it.

I wouldn't if they're at the age of picking things and they're left alone. I did have a few in my shady garden, but only at the back of the border and I never left my son alone out there.

He's now 5 and knows he's only allowed to pick things that grow in the grass (so daisies, dandelions, clover), so I have lots of foxgloves. I still don't leave him alone though.

Sweet rocket and honesty do well in my garden. Foxgloves grow well but never self-seed, so I either sow my own in summer or buy a multi pack from B&Q.