Plants to choose for the perfect family garden

Plants to choose

Touch
Children love the soft, woolly texture of Stachys byzantina (Iamb's ears), and stipa tenuissima (soft grass) feels quite feathery.

Sight
Fuchsias are bright and vivid and children adore popping the flower buds. Pansies, daisies and clematis are also very appealing.

Sound
Bamboos of all kinds catch the wind and make music; alternatively, hang wind chimes to make gentle music in the breeze.

Scent
Lavender, rosemary, thyme, mint and other herbs are perfect for scratch-and-sniff experiences.

Taste
Strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, courgettes (Though children should also be warned not to eat anything in the garden unless they have been given permission to do so).

Dangerous plants to be avoided

There are a number of plants that can cause skin irritations when touched and can be poisonous when eaten. Garden centre labels on plants usually list the dangers that plants may pose. However, you should also ensure a mature garden doesn't contain any hazardous plants. Here are some of the more common dangerous plants:

• Aconitum (Monkshood) • Digitalis (Foxglove) • Euphorbia (Spurge) • Helleborus (Hellebores) • Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed) • Ipomoea (Morning Glory) • Ruta (Rue) • Solanum (Woody Nightshade) • Taxus (Yew)