I think a little perspective is needed here. Until all the facts are known about the unfortunate death of this man, it's easy to get carried away. I personally find it strange that brushing past this plant is immediately being cited as the cause. There are loads of plants which can cause harm but, as a parent, my children knew they didn't eat anything in the garden unless they checked with me first.
I grew up with a Laburnum in the front garden and I never had any desire whatsoever to eat any part of it, but my Mum created an air of mystery about it as she kept going on about it being poisonous. That made me more curious than I might have been, so a balance is needed - as in most things in life.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
apart from this tragic incident, with all the experience of everyone who uses this forum, how many of us have ever heard a similar incident regarding aconitum? My guess is none.
How many of us grow foxgloves which I'm sure are as poisonous as aconitum.
I worked in garden centres / privategardens for almost 30 years and must have handled, planted, dug up, split aconitums thousands of times and never felt the need to wear gloves at any time, and lived to tell the tale.
..so, the general consensus then is that it's nothing to worry about....plant at leisure...
..however, if this plant is recommended to anyone who you don't know and is just another name on an internet forum wanting a bit of blue for their border... then to do so without a very stern warning to accompany the recommendation, would be I think, unprofessional and irresponsible even...but that's up to you...
...also, l'm surprised that anyone working in the industry is permitted to handle these without wearing gloves as it's amongst the world's top ten poisonous plants we grow in our gardens...
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naughty Verdun - you just needed to sprinkle the petals onto a salad
I think a little perspective is needed here. Until all the facts are known about the unfortunate death of this man, it's easy to get carried away. I personally find it strange that brushing past this plant is immediately being cited as the cause. There are loads of plants which can cause harm but, as a parent, my children knew they didn't eat anything in the garden unless they checked with me first.
I grew up with a Laburnum in the front garden and I never had any desire whatsoever to eat any part of it, but my Mum created an air of mystery about it as she kept going on about it being poisonous. That made me more curious than I might have been, so a balance is needed - as in most things in life.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Most of you are very keen to stay alive then, I take it that no one smokes.
No, hate smoking. First OH smoked like a chimney and died from a heart attack aged 53.
apart from this tragic incident, with all the experience of everyone who uses this forum, how many of us have ever heard a similar incident regarding aconitum? My guess is none.
How many of us grow foxgloves which I'm sure are as poisonous as aconitum.
I worked in garden centres / privategardens for almost 30 years and must have handled, planted, dug up, split aconitums thousands of times and never felt the need to wear gloves at any time, and lived to tell the tale.
Well yes but I've been told even a quick glance at aconitums can kill a man at 20 paces
Thats my tongue you're talking about there Fishy!
I may as well sow these then, I'll tell Mrs F they're something harmless...
..so, the general consensus then is that it's nothing to worry about....plant at leisure...
..however, if this plant is recommended to anyone who you don't know and is just another name on an internet forum wanting a bit of blue for their border... then to do so without a very stern warning to accompany the recommendation, would be I think, unprofessional and irresponsible even...but that's up to you...
...also, l'm surprised that anyone working in the industry is permitted to handle these without wearing gloves as it's amongst the world's top ten poisonous plants we grow in our gardens...
...do take care..
Too late, Mrs F has told me under no circumstances am I planting it in our garden. So that's that. Aconitum seeds anyone?