Scilla and toxic plants

I can't recall ever planting these bulbs but every year these bulbs are among the first to bloom. There are the light blue flowers with a splash of white and then too there are the very dark blue flowered Scilla clumps that appear throughout the garden. It is interesting to note that many of the earliest of flowers to appear in the yard are blue.

Last night, the Kitchener Horticultural Society heard Dr Jonathan Schmidt speaking at the Kitchener Public Library on Myth, Mystery and Magic in the Garden. He gave a very interesting presentation and answered questions for about a half hour.

He concentrated on some of the toxic plants in nature and in the garden and some of the myths that follow some of these plants. We learned about plants that could be hazardous to our health and others that could cause skin irritations and how some of these plants had been and are being used well and dangerously by medical practitioners. One plant for example that has been used to break down the skin cells in warts has also been used by one Doctor in the US on melanoma and not only did it have little affect on the skin cancer, it also disfigured the individuals on which it was tried. The Doctor is currently being sued by patients.

We also learned how some toxic plants are cleverly used by insects to make themselves distasteful and toxic to potential predators. One interesting tidbit is that sweet woodruff is toxic to rabbits. I think I'll enlarge the patch I have in the garden, put up a welcome sign for our neighbourhood rabbit. I may even crush some up and put out a dish for the rabbit too.

Two plants that he mentioned that we have eliminated from our home and garden because of the toxicity are Oleander and Monkshood. Two others that have never been introduced to the garden for the same reason are Datura and Castor Bean. We love our grandchildren and pets too much to take the chance.