Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - August 22, 2009

From: Foristell, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Plants safe for donkeys in Foristell MO
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am looking for a plant that can grow next to a farm fence, preferably the length of the fence approx 75 ft. in a long row, one that miniature donkeys can safely eat, if they so choose. I like your idea to plant away from the fence, which I will do. I was considering Lavender. The ground slants down hill so soggy ground won't happen. What would you suggest to plant? Plants or seeds?

ANSWER:

You're not going to believe this, but we could find no list of plants poisonous to miniature donkeys. However, we do have lists of plants just generally poisonous and of plants considered poisonous to livestock and horses. We will select some plants we think would work on your fence line and give you the websites for poisonous plants so you can search for yourself on any plants you consider.

In terms of how to plant, with bedding plants or seeds, that depends on the plant. The woody plants, trees and shrubs, would give quicker results with plants from the nursery. With the grasses, you can certainly plant them by seed, and they will self-seed in the future. The only caution we would make is to get your grasses up and vigorously growing before you let the little donkeys at them, because we think they will love the grasses.

While Lavandula, lavender, is a lovely fragrant herb, it is not native.  It is sometimes used by chefs, but mostly to add fragrance, and some species are suspected of having neurotoxic qualities, so you might not want your little donkeys having that for a snack. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, we are committed to the care, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the site in which they are  being grown. We are going to look at shrubs, trees and grasses native to Missouri, since you didn't stipulate what kind of plant you were interested in. We found very little that is evergreen in your USDA Hardiness Zone of 5a to 5b (avarage annual minimum temperature of -20 to -10 deg. F.). We listed some grasses that are native prairie grasses to your area but are attractive and hold their places year-round, plus, since you say the land slopes away, the fibrous roots of the grasses will help hold the soil and prevent erosion. 

Before we look for plants for your fenceline, here is the list of poisonous plant websites you can check your selections against. It is better to use the scientific name to search on, as common names are often confusing.

Poisonous Plants of North Carolina

Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock

Toxic Plants of Texas 

University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants

Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System

Horse Nutrition: Poisonous Plants from Ohio State University

10 Most Poisonous Plants for Horses from EquiSearch.com

Poisonous Plants from Trailblazer Magazine

Toxic Plants: Horses from the ASPCA

Plants for a fenceline in central east Missouri:

Shrubs

Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush) - evergreen, 6 to 12 ft., blooms white, pink June to September, high water use, part shade or shade

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry) - 4 to 6 ft., blooms white, green April to June, medium water use, part shade, shade

Trees

Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) - 15 to 30 ft., blooms pink March to May, low water use, part shade or shade

Grasses

Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) - warm season perennial, 4 to 8 ft. tall, medium water use, part shade or shade

Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) - 3 to 8 ft. tall, medium water use, sun, part shade or shade

Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) - 18 to 24 inches tall, low water use, sun or part shade


Cephalanthus occidentalis

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Cercis canadensis

Andropogon gerardii

Sorghastrum nutans

Schizachyrium scoparium

 

 

 

 

More Poisonous Plants Questions

White and Violet Flower in Missouri
March 17, 2016 - When I was small I came into contact with a plant that gave me cold sweats, chills and hallucinations. All I remember was it bore a single flower with a little white and a lot of violet. It had a dark...
view the full question and answer

Safety of Baccharis halimifolia (groundsel tree) for parrots
April 25, 2007 - Do you have any information on the possible toxicity of Baccharis halimifolia (Groundsel tree, sea myrtle) most especially the trunks/branches? We have it all over our property, and I'm curious if it...
view the full question and answer

Living fence line from Thomasville GA
November 04, 2012 - I would like to create a natural fence line on my property in South Georgia. They need to be pretty dense and horse, cow, goat friendly, growing to a height of about 4ft, preferably quickly! Do you ...
view the full question and answer

Tropical looking plants for pool area in California
November 14, 2008 - I am looking for small tropical looking plants, groundcover, and 2-small trees for around my pool. They have to be non-toxic to dogs,cats, and people. They can't attract bees/wasps, or have a root ...
view the full question and answer

Shrub to scrren house from dust from gravel road
July 28, 2013 - HI: We live in the foothills of Dobbins, California (2 hours North of Sacramento, Ca). I live on a gravel dirt road with traffic that goes about 45 miles an hour. When they drive by our house it lo...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.