If you’re a gardener, you may have heard of the concept of companion planting. It’s a gardening practice where certain plants are grown together to benefit each other. Some plants repel pests while others attract beneficial insects.
Companion planting can also help protect your garden from browsing by deer and rabbits.
It’s important to know which plants are safe for your dog to consume, so here is a list of 15 dog-safe plants that you can add to your garden right now:
Camellia
Camellia is one of the best-known flowering plants in Japan and China. The plant has large, vibrant flowers that can be either white or pink depending on the variety. It’s also known for its sweet scent and glossy leaves, so it makes for a beautiful addition to any garden.
Dill
Dill is used as both an herb and a vegetable in cooking, but it also makes for a great decoration because of its large leaves and beautiful yellow flowers. This plant is known for attracting butterflies and bees, so it’s perfect if you want to add some color to your yard while also attracting wildlife. There are many plants that are safe for dogs to eat, but there are also some that can be poisonous if they ingest them.
Fuchsias
This plant is an evergreen perennial that grows in a vine shape and has flowers that come in a range of colors, including white, red, and purple. Fuchsias are easy to grow and can be trimmed to fit any size or style of garden. In addition to being dog-friendly, fuchsias are also deer-resistant as well as drought-tolerant.
Magnolia Bushes
Magnolia bushes produce large clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers that bloom in spring and early summer. They can grow up to 10 feet tall with an equal spread, making them ideal for creating floral privacy screens or hedges along property lines.
Purple Basil Plant
Basil is one of the most versatile herbs out there; however, it can be difficult to keep alive when grown indoors because it needs lots of sunlight and heat to thrive properly. Fortunately, purple basil plants thrive indoors without direct sunlight or extra heat sources like grow lights or heating pads (although they will still need plenty of light).
Creeping Thyme
The plant produces small pink or white flowers from summer through fall and spreads by creeping stems. It makes a wonderful ground cover that’s easy to maintain, just pull out any weeds that appear and your creeping thyme will thrive with little care from you.
Sunflower
Sunflowers aren’t just for eating anymore, they make great flowers for your yard! They’re easy to grow from seeds and will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plus, they add some much-needed color during the winter months when other flowers aren’t blooming yet.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a great herb for dogs and humans alike. The plant itself has a strong scent, so it’s not likely to attract pests. It also grows well indoors, making it an ideal candidate for small spaces. If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will add some greenery to your home, this is a good option.
Coral Bells
Coral bells are beautiful flowering plants that you can use inside or outside in your garden. They come in many different colors, including white and pink varieties. Like rosemary, they have a strong scent that helps keep pests away from them, especially mosquitoes! Plus, they’re easy to grow in pots or directly in the ground, so there’s no need to worry about having enough space for this plant.
Pineapple Sage Plant
Pineapple sage is another good option if you want something similar to rosemary but without the strong aroma that many people find unpleasant (especially if they have allergies).
It also produces gorgeous flowers that smell sweet like pineapple when they bloom! This plant grows well indoors and can even be used as an annual if you want it to die back every year before winter hits.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are an excellent choice for any type of garden because they come in so many different colors and shapes. They are also very low-maintenance plants that require little watering and no pruning unless you want them to bloom repeatedly throughout the season.
Snapdragons are great for cats as well as dogs because the flowers make great toys for batting around or chewing on when they get bored.
Fennel
Fennel has long been used as an herb in cooking and also as a medicinal herb (it can help with digestion issues). It’s also said to have insect repellent properties, which is always good to have in your arsenal when planting an organic garden.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are another one of those hardy plants that look great all summer long. They come in tons of colors and they’re easy to grow from seed (if you don’t want to buy them already started).
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are another favorite among dog owners because they grow easily and come in lots of colors, including reds, yellows, oranges, and whites, depending on the type of nasturtium you choose. These plants are also edible, so if you have pets who like an occasional snack while out on walks (we do), this might be a good choice for you.
Conclusion
Whether you’ve got a dog who’s constantly digging up your garden or just want to explore some new options, this list is an excellent place to start. You can’t go wrong with classics like lavender and daffodils, but make sure that you at least give some of the more interesting options a try if you have the time and patience. Your garden (and your pup) won’t regret it.
