Warning to Brits: Beautiful but Deadly Flowers Pose a Risk to Children and Pets

Many familiar garden plants contain compounds that can cause illness when eaten, despite being legally and widely sold across Britain. The danger varies considerably: some mainly cause digestive symptoms, while others can disrupt the heart, damage organs or become fatal.

Serious plant poisoning in people remains very uncommon in the UK, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. However, young children and curious animals face greater exposure because they may chew leaves, flowers, seeds or fallen garden waste.