Plants That Can Kill: 101 Toxic Species to Make You Think Twice

Description

Following the success of Plants You Can't Kill, Tornio now takes a look at those plants that can actually kill you if you're not careful. This book will offer up information to gardening enthusiasts of all levels about common plants that are toxic, poisonous, and even deadly. While the level of toxicity varies from each plant, all are considered deadly in one way or another to wild animals, family pets, and even humans. With its colorful, easy-to-read format, Plants That Can Kill will introduce readers to what these plants look like, smell like, feel like, and sometimes even taste like. Fun facts, interesting tidbits, and history will combine to teach gardeners where these types of plants can be found, how poisonous each one is, and whether these plants are still okay to have in their gardens or if they should be gotten rid of immediately. Plants featured include many common and attractive species you may receive in bouquets or even decorate your homes with, including daffodils, irises, tulips, jasmine, witch hazel, mistletoe, poinsettias, buttercups, marigolds, and even fruits and vegetables like cherries, rhubarb, and some tomatoes.

Stacy Tornio is a journalist, garden writer, and the former editor of the national magazine, Birds & Blooms and is the author of Plants You Can't Kill. Stacy is also a master gardener and master naturalist herself and the recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award. She runs the website destinationnature.net and resides in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

"There are a lot of myths about which plants are poisonous. In this book, Stacy details each of the plants that can cause harm, based on level of toxicity, to help you decide exactly how much of a risk each plant might be. Each entry has a 'Bottom Line' notation that will help you make a very informed decision about what to plant in your own garden, which is extremely useful. A must-read for every gardener!" -Diane Blazek, executive director, All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau "Plants That Can Kill is a great guide for those who have pets or small children, or who like to forage in the garden. Better to be safe than sorry, and Stacy Tornio's book provides just that!" -Denise Schreiber, author of Eat Your Roses and national director of the Garden Writers Association "It's important to understand the full power of the natural world. While plants can be healing to the inhabitants of this great earth, they can also be toxic. Using well-researched facts, Stacy Tornio has created an essential guide to common garden plants that can cause harm-and even kill-so we can keep children, pets, and ourselves safe." -Stephanie Rose, creator of GardenTherapy.ca and award-winning author of Garden Made Praise for Plants You Can't Kill "Stacy helps take the intimidation out of gardening. She uses her years of experience as a gardener and the editor of Birds & Blooms to help black-thumb gardeners discover the joy and satisfaction of successfully growing plants." -Melinda Myers, horticulture expert and author of Small Space Gardening "Gardening is a journey, and for the beginner or those who think they are cursed with a 'black thumb,' it can be intimidating. Stacy offers expert advice on foolproof plants that anyone can grow that will start even the least plant-savvy on the path of creating beautiful gardens." -David Mizejewski, spokesman and naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation "Knowledgeable? Check! Enthusiastic? Check! Practical? Check! Stacy Tornio is a passionate garden coach, teaching both new and experienced gardeners which plants to grow to ensure garden success. With Stacy's guidance, novice gardeners can no longer plead 'black thumbs!' She'll have you creating beautiful, successful gardens in no time at all!" -Niki Jabbour, author of Groundbreaking Food Gardens and The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener "This great new book lays out some of the most dependable plants available for our gardens, in an clear, organized way. It takes the guess work out of gardening and will certainly help people be more successful in choosing what to grow!" -Jessi Bloom, author of Free-Range Chicken Gardens and Practical PermaCulture "No green thumb? No worries! Author and former editor of Birds & Blooms magazine Stacy Tornio guides you through the garden center like a good friend, pointing out the best of the bunch. With more than 100 easy, rewarding flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs, veggies, and even houseplants to choose from, you'll soon be on your way to filling your yard with beauty, your home with greenery, and your table with homegrown goodness. Stacy's lively, down-to-earth writing will keep you going back for more as you grow into a confident gardener with Plants You Can't Kill." -Sally Roth, author of The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible "Stacy's many years of gardening experience translates into a book that makes it super easy to learn about great hard-to-kill plants. Each plant entry has beautiful photography, easy-to-follow tips and insider information that progresses from annuals through perennials all the way to herbs and vegetables. It's like having a knowledgeable garden center employee at your fingertips 24/7. This is a great gardening book for beginners or anyone afraid of failure. Remember, it's okay to fail, just try again!" -Diane Blazek, executive director, All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau "In her many years of talking with readers of Birds & Blooms magazine, Stacy learned that fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to getting more people to garden. Her book addresses that head on by presenting beautiful, reliable plants in a simple-yet-effective way that anyone can understand, regardless of their experience level. It would make a great gift for any beginner gardener in your life." -Susan Martin, perennial plant expert "There are a lot of myths about which plants are poisonous. In this book, Stacy details each of the plants that can cause harm, based on level of toxicity, to help you decide exactly how much of a risk each plant might be. Each entry has a 'Bottom Line' notation that will help you make a very informed decision about what to plant in your own garden, which is extremely useful. A must-read for every gardener!" -Diane Blazek, executive director, All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau "Plants That Can Kill is a great guide for those who have pets or small children, or who like to forage in the garden. Better to be safe than sorry, and Stacy Tornio's book provides just that!" -Denise Schreiber, author of Eat Your Roses and national director of the Garden Writers Association "It's important to understand the full power of the natural world. While plants can be healing to the inhabitants of this great earth, they can also be toxic. Using well-researched facts, Stacy Tornio has created an essential guide to common garden plants that can cause harm-and even kill-so we can keep children, pets, and ourselves safe." -Stephanie Rose, creator of GardenTherapy.ca and award-winning author of Garden Made Praise for Plants You Can't Kill "Stacy helps take the intimidation out of gardening. She uses her years of experience as a gardener and the editor of Birds & Blooms to help black-thumb gardeners discover the joy and satisfaction of successfully growing plants." -Melinda Myers, horticulture expert and author of Small Space Gardening "Gardening is a journey, and for the beginner or those who think they are cursed with a 'black thumb,' it can be intimidating. Stacy offers expert advice on foolproof plants that anyone can grow that will start even the least plant-savvy on the path of creating beautiful gardens." -David Mizejewski, spokesman and naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation "Knowledgeable? Check! Enthusiastic? Check! Practical? Check! Stacy Tornio is a passionate garden coach, teaching both new and experienced gardeners which plants to grow to ensure garden success. With Stacy's guidance, novice gardeners can no longer plead 'black thumbs!' She'll have you creating beautiful, successful gardens in no time at all!" -Niki Jabbour, author of Groundbreaking Food Gardens and The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener "This great new book lays out some of the most dependable plants available for our gardens, in an clear, organized way. It takes the guess work out of gardening and will certainly help people be more successful in choosing what to grow!" -Jessi Bloom, author of Free-Range Chicken Gardens and Practical PermaCulture "No green thumb? No worries! Author and former editor of Birds & Blooms magazine Stacy Tornio guides you through the garden center like a good friend, pointing out the best of the bunch. With more than 100 easy, rewarding flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs, veggies, and even houseplants to choose from, you'll soon be on your way to filling your yard with beauty, your home with greenery, and your table with homegrown goodness. Stacy's lively, down-to-earth writing will keep you going back for more as you grow into a confident gardener with Plants You Can't Kill." -Sally Roth, author of The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible "Stacy's many years of gardening experience translates into a book that makes it super easy to learn about great hard-to-kill plants. Each plant entry has beautiful photography, easy-to-follow tips and insider information that progresses from annuals through perennials all the way to herbs and vegetables. It's like having a knowledgeable garden center employee at your fingertips 24/7. This is a great gardening book for beginners or anyone afraid of failure. Remember, it's okay to fail, just try again!" -Diane Blazek, executive director, All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau "In her many years of talking with readers of Birds & Blooms magazine, Stacy learned that fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to getting more people to garden. Her book addresses that head on by presenting beautiful, reliable plants in a simple-yet-effective way that anyone can understand, regardless of their experience level. It would make a great gift for any beginner gardener in your life." -Susan Martin, perennial plant expert