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Is this dangerous to dogs?

Gavin.cullenGavin.cullen Posts: 28
in Problem solving
My misses has got concerns regarding this plant, that it might be poisonous to animals in particular dogs. I was going to leave it to see what it does but it’s getting rather tall and no flower buds seem to be showing as of yet. We don’t currently have a dog but trying to get the garden “dog proof” for the future or if a family member brought one to visit.
It seems to be the same plant in two different areas of the garden so if it was bad I wouldn’t have assumed the previous owner would have wanted it to begin with!?


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It's an elderberry, not harmful to dogs or humans. The fruit makes a delicious wine and the flowers make a lovely cordial :)
    But they do get very big and not really suitable unless you have the space.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Even of it were poisonous, most animals seem to have an instinct for what is bad for them and avoid it, or at most, may take a little nibble then not touch it. I would always be more concerned about letting toddlers loose unsupervised in a garden with poisonous plants, so it’s good to know what you have for that reason!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited July 2020
    The berries are VERY tannic (bitter) and taste horrible - even 1 will give you a fur-lined mouth :) but can be transformed into wine (but needs 4-5 years to mature then is quite like port) or jellies or just leave them for the blackbirds - they love them

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Gavin.cullenGavin.cullen Posts: 28
    Thanks everyone for the quick responses it’s good to have a bit of peace of mind and just working our way round the garden maintaining and changing as we identify Plants and understand what we want from the garden.
     This seems to produce shoots underground and spring up from around the main plant with lots of little ones. I’m assuming this can get invasive. Any tips on controlling or preventing this as the area it’s in would be idea for a flower bed or veg plot in the future.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    They are lovely plants in the right place.
    But I'd suggest digging it up as the best way  to get rid of it. They are easy to remove as the root system is quite shallow.
    It probably arrived via a bird dropping - they love the berries

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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