Kate in Arabia Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 As I investigate more the plants in our garden, I'm finding some disturbing things, lol. I read this information on the internet, how poisonous a plant is, or reactions if it is ingested, etc. I guess I'm not 100% sure, should I have everything removed or would that be overreacting? My kids never put things in their mouths like that, but then I worry what if it is toxic enough that they brush the plant with their hands then put their hands in their mouth, is that possible? What about kids who visit? See what I mean? Really, there's only a couple that I'm seriously concerned about -- we have two oleander bushes in our patio area. Before I knew what they were we planted mint around the bottom, I am not comfortable using any of that mint now.. and I'm thinking about just having all of it, mint and oleander, yanked out. If I do that do I need to worry about residual poison? The websites I've been reading mention that oleander is still very poisonous, even after the leaves have dried.. Or am I overreacting? I'm just not sure... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 If you pull everything out, I don't think you have to worry about residual poison. It may be tough getting rid of all the mint, though. Depending on your climate, mint is very invasive and can re-grow from cuttings. This wouldn't present a poisoning hazard -- just an annoyance hazard if mint takes over your garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted March 22, 2008 Author Share Posted March 22, 2008 Our patio has these sectioned planting beds.. so like bricks as the ?floor? and then interspersed are these planting beds that are about 3 ft square each. That's actually why I decided to put the mint there, my mom had planted mint back home when I was young, and I remember she got so irritated and want it gone she actually pulled out the salt and salted the ground to kill it all, lol. So no worries about the mint overgrowing. But should I for sure get rid of the oleander? Some sites I read make it sound like a big ball of poison just sitting there, while others are more like "if you ingest enough", which is an entirely different thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'd get rid of the oleander. Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia: "It is thought that a handful or 10-20 leaves consumed by an adult can cause an adverse reaction, and a single leaf could be lethal to an infant or child." It's also toxic to animals. Seems to me there are many safer plants you could put in than oleander! Why take a chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuthouse Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 oleander and death angel. Anything else is okay, they either taste horrible or you really have to eat a lot. Watch your toddlers, it's easier than re-landscaping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 The only time my DD has ever put something in her mouth it was a berry, and at the lead of her less than sensible 7yo. cousin. The berries burned their lips, and they didn't swallow them. We have a bunch of oleander in our yard. Grows like a weed, hard to kill, very low maintenance and therefore popular out here (Arizona). I keep trying to cut it out because DH is allergic to it, more than because I'm worried about DD eating the leaves. Also, it doesn't poison the ground around it or transmit its poison to plants growing around it, so your mint should be just fine. Nor is it poisonous to the touch. If you like how it looks, keep it. Removing it requires digging it out by the roots or cutting it back to the roots and pasting it with herbicide on the exposed cut bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 When you tour Charleston, SC, they point out the oleander. During the Civil War the ladies of the house would serve oleander tea to the union troops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'll trade you your oleander for my poison ivy. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'll trade you your oleander for my poison ivy.:D for poison ivy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I got bit up with fire ants two years ago and poison ivy last spring. I'm just avoiding the yard this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 I already have fire ants... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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