They’re creepy and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They’re all together ooky. Nope, it’s not the Adam’s Family, it’s the array of wicked plants on today’s episode. It’s Halloween season so we’ll be talking about an assortment of plants that are spiky, darkly pigmented, stinky, or perhaps even the most wicked of all: invasive. But don’t think every perennial or tree on this episode is unworthy of a spot in your garden, some are actually quite lovely landscape specimens. Can a plant truly be frightening? Sure it can—just ask Seymour Krelborn.
For further reading on wicked plants, check out this book by Amy Stewart.
Expert guest: Christine Alexander is the digital content editor for FineGardening.com.
Danielle’s Plants
‘Sasaba’ holly tea olive (Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Sasaba’, Zones 6b-10)
Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum, Zones 4-9)
Wingthorn rose (Rosa sericea spp. pteracantha, Zones 5-9)
Carol’s Plants
Common dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum, Zones 4-8)
‘Barker’s Variety’ monk’s hood (Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Barker’s Variety’, Zones 3-7)
‘Flying Dragon’ hardy orange (Citrus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’, Zones 5-9)
Christine’s Plants
‘Teton’ firethorn (Pyracantha ‘Teton’ Zones 6 to 9)
‘Zanzibarensis’ castor bean (Ricinus communis* ‘Zanzibarensis’ Zones 8–10)
Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis*, Zones 4 to 9)
*Indicates this plant may be considered invasive in certain parts of North America
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OMG!! I was just telling my friend about monk’s hood how I think it kind of looks a little bit sinister, it reminds me of the hoods the women in “The Handsmaid Tale” 😬😳
And to learn that it’s poisonous it reinforces the notion?!😊😊❤
Of course Danielle would pick a spikey plant. She collects spikey plants.
Hostas and lilies are poisonous to dogs/cats. I've had monkshood in my garden for years and now I know I need to put it in sun/part sun.
Another pretty, but deadly, plant is white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima).
Castor bean plants are the source for ricin poison…very deadly.
Pretty much anything with -bane in its common name is poisonous.
Castor Bean plant will live for many years in a warm climate before petering out and looking rather bald.