Planting: Choosing Plants for the School Grounds

Schoolgrounds-UK Advice Sheet
Planting (including poisonous)

Why plant in your outdoor about the ultimate size of the
space? plants you are putting in.
 Do you want planting for
Schoolgrounds-UK is
security anywhere? If so, thorny
one of the subscription There are many reasons that species may be appropriate but
services from Learning
through Landscapes,
you may want to maintain or will very young children have
the UK’s national school introduce plants into your access to them?
grounds and early years school grounds. It could be
outdoor play charity.
 Be aware of berries and other
for aesthetic reasons; fruit. Some are safe to eat,
providing sensory whilst others can cause a range
For more information of effects - some very serious.
about subscriptions,
experiences; encouraging
call 01962 845811. wildlife; screening views See the list below.
such as neighbouring  Some bulbs are also poisonous.
Whilst not often eaten, some
buildings or bin stores; to
can be mistaken for onions so
direct traffic - human or
care should be taken if they are
vehicular; to reduce being stored.
pollution, wind and the  When planting trees make sure
perception of noise; for use that they are not going to cause
The Schoolgrounds-UK
in the formal and informal easy access over a security
Advice Line is open curriculum. fence when they are large
Monday to Friday all enough to climb.
year round. Contact Learning through Landscapes  Some trees - such as some
our specialist team for
advice on using, (LTL) has produced a range of willows - have root systems that
designing or managing materials about using plants in search out far and wide to find
your space: your school grounds, from moisture. These can therefore
growing vegetables and other cause problems with drains.
Tel:
01962 845811 edible plants to using plants in  Large trees can also cause
the formal and informal problems of subsidence if
Email: curriculum. This information planted too close to buildings -
member@ltl.org.uk sheet aims to look at the issues if in doubt, especially on clay
Web: involved in deciding which soils, talk to your local
www.ltl.org.uk plants are suitable for your arboricultural officer.
grounds and where you should
plant them for safe use.
Choosing what to plant
Deciding where to plant
Once you have decided why you
Once you have decided why you want to plant and where you are
want to plant you will need to planning to place the plants, you
work out the best places for the will need to decide upon the
planting to be. Some places will appropriate species. There is a
LTL accepts no be obvious – e.g. positioning a wide range of resources and
responsibility for the people who can help you with this
quality of goods or hedge along a boundary, or
services provided by climbing plants up a pergola - depending on your reason for
any companies listed. whilst others will need more planting - including books and
thought. Here are some issues magazines, local advisors, other
This Advice Sheet offers professionals and knowledgeable
a selection of contacts that you may need to consider:
to try – always try your
amateurs.
local Yellow Pages or  Bees and wasps - Don’t place
Thomson Directory, and plants that will attract insects You will need to consider whether
an internet search you are going to plant species
engine such as near to windows - they may fly
www.google.com as in on hot summer days. that can harm in any way. The
well.  Make sure planting doesn’t level of harm of species varies
block pathways etc. greatly - see the list below as a
FR:10/10 guide. Some species are thorny
 Will the plants grow and
JM: 09-10 obscure windows? Always think whilst others are dangerous to


eat; some are irritants to the skin Maintenance
whilst others may cause allergic
reactions. You may decide that Once you have chosen and
Schoolgrounds-UK is
one of the subscription
some plants are only mildly planted your plants you will need
services from Learning poisonous and are safe to have in to maintain them. There are a
through Landscapes, your school grounds. This may number of safety issues to be
the UK’s national school also depend on where they are considered here too. Pesticides
grounds and early years
positioned - are they within easy are often used by contractors
access of very young children or working with woody species – i.e.
pupils that may not understand trees, shrubs and hedges.
For more information the dangers. Sometimes they use residual
call 01962 845811.
herbicides which are often in the
Planting form of granules. These keep the
earth bare under the plants but
The whole school can get involved can also be poisonous to children
with planting days. It can often be using the area. One of the most
useful to have some help from common herbicides for keeping
someone who is experienced in trees weed-free is glyphosate.
this area - they may also have the This is the active ingredient in
The Schoolgrounds-UK tools needed to undertake the herbicides such as ‘Roundup’. It is
Advice Line is open work. This could be BTCV, the biodegradable and meant to be
Monday to Friday all local rangers, environmental safe for animals and children to
year round. Contact be around straight after
our specialist team for education co-ordinators or local
advice on using, Wildlife Trust. Make sure you have application. Concerns about its
designing or managing enough adults to help with the long-term effects are still under
your space: children. debate. It is always best to apply
Organisation is vital - make sure any herbicides when children are
Tel:
01962 845811 there is someone in charge who not using the site to reduce the
knows what they are doing and likelihood of potential problems.
Email: has planned well in advance.
member@ltl.org.uk There are alternatives to using
Carry out a risk assessment
Web: before you do the work and herbicides. Mulches can also
www.ltl.org.uk remember your first aid kit! suppress weed growth and can be
Consider the appropriateness of very effective. Plastic sheets and
the tools supplied – are they the mats, bitumen coated mats and
right size for those taking part. wood chips are all commonly
You will need to go through used. They each have positive
safety issues before planting – and negative aspects but should
e.g. that spades and rakes etc. be considered when adding
need to be stored properly when planting to a site.
not in use and cared for properly
etc. Also look at safe handling Poisonous Plants
LTL accepts no
responsibility for the and use of the tools – everyone
quality of goods or should be shown how to do this
Children are keen to explore the
services provided by before they start. Make sure
any companies listed. world around them and will pick
everyone has the right protective
up tasty-looking berries and put
This Advice Sheet offers equipment and clothing. You may
them in their mouths. As some
a selection of contacts wish to use gloves, especially if
berries can be eaten safely, it is
to try – always try your planting thorny species, but make
local Yellow Pages or not always easy for children, or
sure that those that don’t wash
Thomson Directory, and adults, to know what is poisonous
an internet search their hands well before you stop
and what is not.
engine such as for lunch!
www.google.com as
well.

FR:10/10

JM: 09-10


Children cannot be supervised at
all times in their school grounds,
so many schools wish to avoid
Schoolgrounds-UK is
having the risk of a child eating
services from Learning something poisonous whilst in
through Landscapes, their care.
the UK’s national school Some plants have stronger effects
than others so you may feel that
these are worth including in your
school grounds - the descriptions
For more information given in the list below try to give
call 01962 845811.
an idea of toxicity so that you can
make an informed decision for
your own school. If children eat
something that you are not sure
about, do seek professional
advice, taking with you an
example of the plant eaten if at all
possible.
Advice Line is open This list covers plants that
Monday to Friday all schools may consider planting or
year round. Contact will find already in their grounds.
advice on using,
It is by no means a complete list
designing or managing and if you are in any doubt
your space: contact your Local Authority
Health and Safety Officer. The
Tel:
01962 845811
information has been taken from
‘Poisonous plants & fungi’ by
Email: Marion R Cooper and Anthony W
member@ltl.org.uk Johnson. Published by HMSO- ISBN
Web:
011 242718 9. This book
www.ltl.org.uk contains a much more extensive
list of plants and fungi that may
cause poisoning and other
effects.

LTL accepts no
responsibility for the
quality of goods or
services provided by
any companies listed.

This Advice Sheet offers
a selection of contacts
local Yellow Pages or
Thomson Directory, and
an internet search
engine such as
www.google.com as
well.

FR:10/10

JM: 09-10


Plant Poisonous Effect
part
Barberry berries of Could cause mild poisoning;
Schoolgrounds-UK is
Berberis spp. some species reports of vomiting and diarrhoea
services from Learning when handling the wood.
through Landscapes,
the UK’s national school Black Briony berries Can cause severe blistering and
Tamus cimmunis burning of the mouth and
digestive system, resulting in
vomiting and diarrhoea.
For more information
call 01962 845811.
Black berries Unripe berries can cause
Nightshade vomiting, diarrhoea, headache,
Solanum nigrum dizziness and increase in body
temperature. Severe cases can
cause coma and even death.
Professional advice needed.

Bluebell bulbs Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and
Hyacinthoides weak pulse.
Advice Line is open non-scripta
Monday to Friday all
year round. Contact Bracken spores or milk Thought to be carcinogenic.
advice on using,
Pteridum
designing or managing aquilinum
your space:

Tel:
01962 845811
Broom all parts Very large quantities can effect
Cytisus varia the heart and nervous system.
Email: scoparius
member@ltl.org.uk

Web:
Buckthorn berries and Mild stomach ache, vomiting,
www.ltl.org.uk Rhamnus chewing twigs diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
cthartica Large quantities: severe digestive
symptoms with haemorrhage,
followed by convulsions, difficulty
breathing, even death. Seek
professional advice.

Cherry Laurel berries Flesh is relatively harmless but
Prunus seeds can be fatal when chewed.
laurocerasus Symptoms develop within a few
LTL accepts no hours: vomiting, flushing of
quality of goods or
cheeks, rapid breathing,
services provided by headache, fainting and
any companies listed. convulsions. Quick medical
treatment is required.
to try – always try your Cotoneaster all parts, Mild digestive system
local Yellow Pages or Cotoneaster spp. including disturbances.
Thomson Directory, and berries
an internet search
engine such as
www.google.com as Cow parsley Said to cause poisoning similar to
well. Anthriscus hemlock but
sylvestris less severe.
FR:10/10

JM: 09-10


Daffodil whole plant, Dizziness, stomach pains, nausea,
Narcissus spp. particularly vomiting and diarrhoea. Generally
bulb recovery in a few hours without
Schoolgrounds-UK is
treatment.
services from Learning
through Landscapes, Deadly berries Five berries or less can cause
the UK’s national school Nigthshade death in children.
Atropa Seek Professional advice at
belladonna once.

For more information Dogwood fruits Slightly poisonous, causing
call 01962 845811.
Cornus spp. diarrhoea.
Elder raw berries Nausea, vomiting, stomach pains,
Sambucus nigra diarrhoea, weakness and coma. If
symptoms severe seek

Firethorn all parts, Mild digestive-system
Pyracantha spp including disturbances.
berries
Advice Line is open
Monday to Friday all Foxglove leaves or Nausea, vomiting (up to 24
year round. Contact Digitalis flowers hours), abdominal pain,
advice on using,
purpurea diarrhoea, headache and slow
designing or managing irregular pulse. In more severe
your space: cases, disturbances of vision,
trembling, convulsions, delirium,
Tel:
01962 845811
and hallucinations can also
develop.
Email: Seek professional advice at
member@ltl.org.uk once.
Web:
www.ltl.org.uk Fritillary bulbs Has produced vomiting and
Fritillaria spp. effects on the heart of children.

Giant Hogweed sap Reddening, stinging and irritation,
Heracleum followed by large, fluid-filled
mantegazzianum blisters that can be very painful.
Seek professional advice if large
areas are affected or severe
reaction occurs.

LTL accepts no Hemlock all parts Very poisonous – symptoms
quality of goods or
Conium appear from 15 mins to 2 hours.
services provided by maculatum Rapid breathing, excessive flow of
any companies listed. saliva, difficulty in swallowing,
diarrhoea, muscular weakness
and trembling, sometimes with
to try – always try your convulsions. Seek professional
local Yellow Pages or advice quickly.
Thomson Directory, and Holly berries Not dangerous when a few are
an internet search
engine such as
Ilex aquifolium eaten but can cause persistent
www.google.com as vomiting and diarrhoea. Eating
well. 20-30 berries could be poisonous.
If a child has eaten more than two
FR:10/10
or three berries, induce vomiting
JM: 09-10 as soon as possible.


Horse Chestnut conkers They are bitter to taste so rarely
Aesculus are enough eaten to cause severe
Schoolgrounds-UK is
hippocastanum poisoning - usually just mild
services from Learning stomach upset with vomiting -
through Landscapes, however eating large numbers can
the UK’s national school kill. Severe poisoning requires
professional assistance.

Iris all parts Can cause severe vomiting and
For more information Iris spp. diarrhoea, sometimes with
call 01962 845811.
bleeding. Sap can irritate skin and
cause bleeding.

Ivy berries Taste is bitter thus not many
Hedera helix usually eaten and symptoms
rarely serious - burning sensation
in mouth and throat, although
reaction can be more serious.
Can cause skin reactions.
Advice Line is open Treatment normally unnecessary.
Monday to Friday all Laburnum seeds, Symptoms usually develop within
year round. Contact Laburnum seedpods and an hour and include burning of
advice on using,
anagyroides flowers the throat and mouth, stomach
designing or managing ache, diarrhoea and persistent
your space: vomiting, followed by drowsiness,
dizziness, headache, difficult
Tel:
01962 845811
breathing and dilated pupils.
Often vomiting eliminates the
Email: toxins and recovery is complete
member@ltl.org.uk after 24 hours, however
Web:
professional advice should be
www.ltl.org.uk sought.
Lily of the berries Nausea, vomiting and abdominal
Valley pain, dilated pupils, mental
Convallaria disturbances and irregular or slow
majalis heartbeat and, in extreme cases,
coma and death from heart
failure. If there are more than
mild symptoms seek

LTL accepts no Lords and all parts Burning & soreness of the mouth,
quality of goods or
Ladies lips and throat. More berries can
services provided by Arum lead to nausea, vomiting,
any companies listed. maculatum abdominal pain, muscular cramps,
dilation of pupils, dizziness,
irregular pulse and even coma
to try – always try your and death.
Thomson Directory, and Lupin green pods or Eating a few pods can cause
an internet search
engine such as
Lupinus spp. chewing seeds nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
www.google.com as headache and dizziness.
well.
Mistletoe berries & Poisoning is rarely serious but
FR:10/10
Viscum album leaves large amounts can be dangerous.
JM: 09-10


Oak Eating a few acorns should be no
Quercus spp. cause for alarm.
Schoolgrounds-UK is
Opium Poppy extracts Can be fatal. Seek professional
services from Learning Papaver advice.
through Landscapes, somniferum
the UK’s national school
Potato all parts above Eating large amounts can be
Solanum ground, incl dangerous.Not safe to eat even
tuberosum fruits green or after peeling and cooking –
For more information sprouted abdominal pain and vomiting.
call 01962 845811.
potatoes

Primula Skin contact with some spp can
Primula spp. cause dermatitis. If eaten,
digestive system disturbances can
result.

Privet berries Small numbers cause vomiting,
Ligustrum spp. abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Advice Line is open Fatal poisoning of children has
Monday to Friday all been reported. Seek professional
year round. Contact advice.
advice on using,
designing or managing Rhubarb leaves Nausea, stomach pains, weakness,
your space: Rheum drowsiness, muscle twitching and
rhaponticum convulsions may follow.
Tel:
01962 845811
any part raw
Liver and kidney damage.
Email: Seek professional advice.
member@ltl.org.uk

Web:
Rowan or Eating large numbers of berries,
www.ltl.org.uk Mountain Ash especially when unripe can cause
Sorbus spp. mild digestive-system
disturbances.

Snowberry berries Vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness
Symphoricarpos and in severe cases
rivularis unconsciousness - children may
suffer more. If only 3 or 4 berries
are eaten there are no symptoms.

LTL accepts no Snowdrop whole plant – Dizziness, stomach pains nausea,
quality of goods or
Galanthus nivalis particularly vomiting and diarrhoea. Recovery
services provided by bulb generally in a few hours without
any companies listed. treatment.
to try – always try your Spindle berries Symptoms appear 8-16 hours
local Yellow Pages or Euonymus after eating, when vomiting,
Thomson Directory, and europaeus abdominal pain and diarrhoea
an internet search
engine such as
occur. Professional advice in
www.google.com as severe cases.
well.
Spotted Laurel fruits Slightly poisonous – causing
FR:10/10
Aucuba japonica diarrhoea.
JM: 09-10 leaves


Can cause skin irritation.

Stinging nettles stinging hairs Prickling sensation followed by
Schoolgrounds-UK is
Urtica dioica on leaf & stem rapid reddening and soreness and
services from Learning the development of raised white
through Landscapes, patches; there is often
the UK’s national school considerable itching later.
Sumac raw fruits Mild digestive disturbances.
Rhus typhina and leaves
For more information
call 01962 845811.
Sweet Pea seeds Eating a large number of seeds
Lathyrus can cause temporary paralysis.
odoratus

Tulip bulbs Has caused vomiting and
Tulipa spp. weakness.

White Briony berries Less than ten berries can produce
Advice Line is open Bryonia dioca repeated vomiting, large numbers
Monday to Friday all can, in addition cause stomach
year round. Contact pains, diarrhoea, dizziness and
our specialist team for difficulty breathing. Seek
advice on using,
designing or managing professional advice.
your space:
Willow leaves Eating leaves causes severe
Tel: Salix spp. abdominal pain.
01962 845811

Email: Wisteria all parts Pods or a few seeds have caused
member@ltl.org.uk Wisteria spp. digestive-system disturbances
with repeated vomiting.
Web:
www.ltl.org.uk

Woody berries Generally only mild symptoms,
Nightshade however large amounts can be
Salanum serious. Seek professional
dulcamara advice.

Yew leaves of fruits Mild nausea and abdominal pain
Taxus baccata (seeds within) to coma and death. Seek
professional advice at once.
LTL accepts no
quality of goods or
services provided by
any companies listed.

Thomson Directory, and
an internet search
engine such as
www.google.com as
well.

FR:10/10

JM: 09-10

Planting: Choosing Plants for the School Grounds

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Planting: Choosing Plants for the School Grounds