The best gardens are meant to be lived in and enjoyed by everyone, including the canine companions who faithfully follow us from their dog bed out to the flower beds. Whether they’re patrolling the backyard, lounging in the shade, or following along during weekend garden chores, our four-legged companions spend plenty of time in the landscape. That’s why choosing dog-friendly plants can be an important consideration when designing the backyard.
Fortunately, creating a garden that’s both beautiful and pet-friendly doesn’t mean sacrificing color, texture, or year-round interest. Misilla dela Llana of Learn to Grow took this approach when creating a “pawsitively” beautiful, dog-friendly garden for her pup Daisy, incorporating plants like rosemary, holly, blueberries, pittosporum, lomandra, and roses to create a space that is both stylish and welcoming for every member of her family.
These Southern Living® Plant Collection favorites can help create a landscape that both gardeners and their furry best friends can enjoy. Non-toxic and tough enough to get trounced over a few times (hey, it happens!), they’ll be right at home alongside the whole family:
Images courtesy of Misilla dela Llana
Add Fragrance and Flavor with Chef’s Choice® Rosemary
Chef’s Choice® Rosemary combines ornamental charm with culinary-worthy foliage. This upright evergreen shrub features aromatic, needle-like foliage that can be harvested for cooking and provides structure in the landscape. Its drought tolerance and easy-care nature make it an excellent addition to sunny garden beds, herb gardens, and containers.
Images courtesy of Misilla dela Llana
Grow Fresh Juicy Berries with DownHome Harvest® Blueberries
Nothing says summer quite like picking fresh blueberries right from the garden. Hello Darlin® and I Declare™ blueberries combine ornamental beauty with delicious harvests. Hello Darlin® produces sweet berries on a compact plant that’s perfect for smaller landscapes and edible gardens. I Declare® offers abundant crops and attractive foliage that transitions beautifully through the seasons.
For best fruit production, blueberries require another compatible variety nearby for cross-pollination, which helps increase yield and improve berry size. Both varieties provide spring flowers, summer fruit, and seasonal color, creating multi-season interest while giving gardeners and their pups something to enjoy.
Images courtesy of Misilla dela Llana
Enjoy Continuous Vibrant Color with It’s a Breeze® Red Rose
Roses and dogs can coexist beautifully in the landscape. It’s a Breeze® Red Rose produces a steady display of vibrant red blooms throughout the growing season with excellent disease resistance and low-maintenance performance. Its relatively sparse, less-prickly thorns make It’s a Breeze® Red Rose more approachable than many traditional rose varieties, especially in family and pet-friendly garden areas. Its compact habit makes it well-suited for borders, foundation plantings, and mixed perennial beds where bright color is desired.
Images courtesy of Misilla dela Llana
Add Texture and Movement with Platinum Beauty® Lomandra
Every garden benefits from plants that sway gently in the breeze. Platinum Beauty® Lomandra offers graceful arching foliage accented with creamy variegation that is a stunning pairing with It’s a Breeze® rose. Exceptionally heat and drought-tolerant, this versatile plant pairing works beautifully along pathways, in mass plantings, or as a low-maintenance accent in sunny landscapes.
Images courtesy of Misilla dela Llana
Create Structure with Mojo® Pittosporum
Mojo® Pittosporum delivers evergreen color and structure in a compact package. Its dense, palmately shaped foliage and naturally tidy habit make it an attractive border, foundation, or low hedge planting. Because it maintains its shape with minimal pruning, it provides year-round interest without demanding constant maintenance.
A dog-friendly garden is about more than selecting safe plants. Consider creating pathways for pets to explore, providing shaded resting spots, and leaving open areas for play. By combining resilient plants with thoughtful design, it’s possible to create an outdoor space that is welcoming for every member of the family.
Explore these plants and more and online and use our Garden Center Locator to find a Southern Living® Plant Collection retailer near you!
