The gates to the Poison Garden are marked with skulls and crossbonesand the warningthat says, “These Plants Can Kill.” Before entering, every visitor receives instructions never to touch, smell, or taste any of the plants. Even so, just a breath of the wrong air can be enough to make guests feel light-headed.
People who work in the Poison Garden have to be especially careful. Some plants are mostly harmless, but other areas of the garden require a full hazmat suitfor gardening work. In fact, many of the poisonous plants are quite common and easy to grow. Rhododendrons are a popular houseplant, but they can attack the nervous system if they are eaten. Laburnum trees produce beautiful yellow flowers, and many people plant them for decoration. However, the whole tree contains poison, and can cause vomitingand other uncomfortable reactions if any part of it, especially the seedpods, is eaten.
