Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - December 09, 2013
From: Oxford , PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Poisonous Plants, Shrubs
Title: Shrubs not toxic to cattle in NJ
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I am working to rejuvenate the hedgerows on a farm in New Jersey by removing invasive plants and planting native shrubs. How do I find out which native shrubs are toxic to cattle and should not be planted in the hedgerows?ANSWER:
We applaud your efforts. By removing inavsive plants and planting native shrubs you are providing important (and at times scarce) habitat food and shelter for many native species of birds, insects and small mammals.
The Cornell University Department of Animal Science has a published an extensive list of plants that are poisonous to livestock. Click here for the list of plants poisonous to cattle. When you examine it closely you will see that most of them are herbaceous plants but many of them are native to your area that could get established within your hedgerow
Allium canadense (Meadow garlic)
Asclepias syriaca (Common milkweed)
Phytolacca americana (American pokeweed)
There are actually not many shrubs on the list that you would be considering but there are a few you should avoid, such as:
Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush buckeye) whose fruits are poisonous
Prunus serotina (Black cherry) and the other wild cherries native to your area such as pin cherry and choke cherry whose seeds and leaves are poisonous, and
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Common elderberry) whose leaves, twigs, roots and unripe fruit are poisonous (but cooked elderberry fruit in jellies and pies is harmless and tasty!)
That being said, there are plenty of good plants to choose from. If you visit out Native Plant Database and perform a Combination Search, selecting New Jersey/Shrub and the sizes 3-6 ft, 6-12 ft and even 12-36ft, it will generate a large list to select from. You can also narrow it further according to specific light and soil conditions as you wish.
What you ultimately plant will be dependant on what is available in the trade and the size of your budget but here are a few of my favorites.
Amelanchier arborea (Common serviceberry) which blooms early in the spring, produces berries that birds (and people) love and has great fall color
Ceanothus herbaceus (Redroot) whose flowers and berries are great for butterflies and birds, but doesn't really color up in the fall
Cornus sericea (Redosier dogwood) whose red twigs bring color to the drab winter landscape, berries support many tupes of fowl and spreading habit will help fill in the hedgerow
Morella pensylvanica (Northern bayberry) whose waxy berries are eaten by many winter birds and used by humans for making traditional candles
Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark) which is tough but attractive with yellow fall colour and red fruit that the birds like, and
Rhus glabra (Smooth sumac) which many people detest because of its suckering habit (maybe just what you need?) but has awesome fall colour and fruit that is not only ornamental but beneficial and high in Vitamin C. The Chickadees enjoy mine all winter long.
And now for the bad news ... these plants won't harm your cattle, provide wildlife benefits and are ornamental ... but the deer will browse on most of them.
From the Image Gallery
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Safety of hyrbrid and non-native trees for dogs and horses from Lawton OK
March 25, 2013 - Are Arrowwood Viburnum tree, Sargent Crabapple tree & the Washington Hawthorn tree safe for dogs & horses?
view the full question and answer
Is Desert willow poisonous to horses in Boerne TX
July 17, 2009 - I have just purchased Bubba Desert Willows and have horses. Will they eat them, do you know and if so will they be harmed? Thanks
view the full question and answer
Mosaic virus in Poke Salad in East Texas
April 20, 2008 - I live in a rural East Texas, and have an abundance of Poke Salad. If you know how to prepare it, it's a springtime treat for anyone who enjoys veggies. However, for the last few years, many of the o...
view the full question and answer
Pruning non-native oleanders
September 28, 2011 - I have an oleander that has become to "leggy". I read the pruning instructions, but where I want to prune, there are not any leaf nodes. Can I trim below at the base, or will I hurt the plant? I ...
view the full question and answer
Mulberry sap in the bloodstream from Kansas City
November 13, 2010 - What affect does mulberry sap have if put in contact with the blood stream?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |