Potentially Harmful Garden Plants
Most of the plants grown in gardens do not present any hazard to humans or animals, and incidents of serious plant poisoning in the United Kingdom are rare. Nevertheless it is a responsibility of gardeners to see that no avoidable risks are presented, and knowledge of potentially harmful plants should be gained. It is an equal responsibility of garden users to be alert for their own safety and especially that of children and animals. The Horticultural Trades Association has worked with the Royal Horticultural Society and other organisations to compile a list of potentially harmful plants and develop a Code of Recommended Retail Practice for the labelling of plants at garden centres and nurseries. Look for safety information on labels when purchasing plants and learn what to do in the unlikely event of poisoning through eating or handling plants.
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A summary of RHS policy
1) The RHS will continue to work with other national bodies to ensure that appropriate and up-to-date information is made available to gardeners on potentially harmful plants, making its own guidance widely available through leaflets, the RHS website and other advisory services.
2) The RHS recommends restricting access to the potentially most harmful plants by care in choice of plants and planting positions in gardens.
3) The RHS encourages garden centres and nurseries to follow the Horticultural Trades Association Code of Practice on the labelling of potentially harmful plants and does so at its own plant centres and in its seed lists.