Hello Katie,

Wow! Your project sounds so kind to pets!

Several perennial and annual plants are safe and even beneficial for dogs, such as marigolds, snapdragons, sunflowers, zinnias, bee balm, echinacea, dahlias and coreopsis. Also herbs like rosemary, basil, sage and thyme are safe to grow in the garden. Trees and shrubs include camellias, magnolias, Japanese maples, bamboo, bottlebrush, ornamental grasses, sunflowers, organically grown edible herbs, crape myrtle, lavender, echinacea, fuchsia, pansy, and petunia. 

However, you may want to monitor your dogs if they start eating plants. None of these is toxic, but some dogs may suffer stomach issues if they eat too much, particularly of day lilies and echinacea (note that regular lilies are toxic).

Most, if not all these plants can be found at any of our local plant supply stores and even some big box stores.

Here’s a link with more information on plants that are safe for dogs.

https://gardenforwildlife.com/blogs/learning-center/dog-friendly-native-plant-gardening

Let us know if you have further questions.

Lesley for UDC master gardeners 

Hi Phoenicia, 

I suggest checking with. Vet on levels of toxicity of lavender. Lavender oil, an essential oil & concentrated, so that should be kept out of harm’s way. But many sources consider the plant ok around dogs. Of course, allowing dogs to eat large amounts of any herb would not be advised. But check with a vet, and hope it becomes a wonderful space!

Kate McLynn Ask Extension volunteer