Gardens Vs. Cats - Plants You Should Choose, and Plants to Avoid

As a cat lover and owner, I have learned that some things around the house are not safe from my cat. I love to decorate for any Holiday, and my male cat loves to attack the festive decorations. For Halloween, I have a small monster hanging on the back of my door. The cord it hangs on is elastic, which makes it irresistible prey for him. He will jump up, bite the monster's head and pull him down. At Christmas, my cats love the Christmas tree, maybe too much. Pearl, our male cat likes to capture ornaments and roll them around for his amusement. Both of my cats love to sleep beneath the Christmas tree. At least they don't climb the tree, and I'm grateful for that small favor. My best friend used to have 3 cats. She came home from work once to find that her kitties had wrestled her Christmas tree to the ground. As the tree lay sadly on its side, broken ornaments scattered across the living room, she saw the 3 little culprits leaping in and out of the tree they killed.

Let's face it, cats are one of the most notoriously curious creatures there is. That is almost an understatement. I have heard stories about cats who like to eat plants, whether it's a houseplant or in the garden. I am grateful that mine doesn't. Plants are probably the only thing that doesn't interest him. But it is a concern for cat lovers who have cats who engage in this activity. There is an article in the November edition of Cat Fancy about "Feline-friendly gardens." Here are a few tips they suggest for gardeners who also have a cat who eats plants. They even suggest planting a cat-friendly garden, which is a garden specifically for your little feline friend to enjoy.

Scientists are still researching the reasons why certain grasses and plants are so appealing to cats. Many common and popular houseplants are safe for kitty like: orchids, African violets, bamboo palms, and various ferns, according to plant expert Nancy Mazowiecki of Laguna Hills Nursery in Lake Forest, CA. And if you're seeking outdoor garden flowers to dress-up your lawn, you can choose marigolds, zinnias, and alyssum, these are also cat-safe. Herbs like parsley, sage, thyme, and chickweed are not only safe, but can make great cat snacks.
Here is the list of plants known as "feline-friendly favorites," as compiled by Cat Fancy Magazine. Gardeners may plant these without worry:

Alyssum
Bachelor's Buttons
Bamboo
Brazillian orchid
Bride's bonnet
Cape jasmin
Carex evergold
Christmas orchid
Confederate jasmin
Dwarf asters
Dwarf zinnias
Easter daisy
Garden marigold
German violet
Gold bloom
Honeysuckle fuschiaHeuchera
Hypoestes
Irish moss
Jacob's ladder
Lace orchid
Moss rose
Pansy orchid
Summer hyacinth
Umbrella plant
Wild hyacinth
Wild strawberry
Viola odorata
The top 10 TOXIC plants that you should avoid at all costs are:
Lilies
Sago palm
Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
Azalea/Rhododendron
Cyclamen
Marijuana
Oleander
Castor bean
Kalanchoe
Yew

Just a few tips from Cat lovers for Cat lovers who not only want a beautiful colorful garden, but a safe sanctuary for the feline buddy in your life.