Easy dog-safe plants to grow at home this spring and summer

Inspired by the launch of The Fleur Italian Greyhound jumper and the Chelsea Flower Show’s first dog-friendly garden.

I'm writing this from my Mum's back garden down by the sea. She's always been a keen gardener and studied floristry when I was little. It would fascinate me how I'd point at any flower or plant, and she'd know the variety. It’s only in the last year and a half that I’ve found a love for gardening too. I’m still very much a novice, and my outdoor space is small, but it’s where Twiggy and I spend a lot of time when the days get longer - her curled up in the sun, me arms-deep (literally) in soil.

So, as the Chelsea Flower Show returned in full bloom this week and with the launch of our new Spring/Summer Italian Greyhound Jumper, The Fleur in shades of Wisteria and Lemon, I thought it would be a nice idea to share some simple, dog-safe plants that both you and your Italian Greyhound might love. Whether you have a balcony, a sunlit ledge, or a garden, these plants are easy to grow and can stimulate your dog’s senses as much as they brighten your space.

There’s something extra special on the schedule at Chelsea this year: for the first time, the legendary Monty Don has designed a garden for the show, and it’s all about creating a beautiful, dog-friendly space. How fitting.

In the spirit of The Fleur we're about to launch, with its two colour-ways inspired by the golden mornings of Sicily and the hills of Provence at dusk, here are some easy ways to bring a little calm and colour into your own home that doesn't require a lot of time or effort. Just be sure to avoid using pesticides and weed killers on your plants as they can be harmful.

Soft, calming Provençal tones for summer

While true wisteria isn’t dog-safe, the feel of that colour - muted purples, natural greys, and soft greens - is captured in several dog-safe plants that are easy to grow and look beautiful, especially in smaller spaces.

Try growing:

Lavender – Calming, fragrant, and hardy (can withstand the cold). It's lovely in pots or borders. I keep one out front and it really is faff-free.

Rosemary – Woody and safe for dogs to sniff. Another hassle-free herb that comes back year after year, and a great one to cook with.

Fuchsia – A playful option with purple-pink tones and lots of colour.

Catmint (or Nepeta) - Soft purple-blue flowers, fragrant, hardy.

Bright, Mediterranean warmth

Did you know yellow is one of the few colours dogs can actually see? While citrus plants themselves aren’t ideal for dogs, you can recreate that same warmth through dog-safe plants and herbs that are easy to grow.

Try growing:

Lemon balm - Calming and fragrant. Grows well in pots.

Marigolds - Cheery, golden, and completely dog-safe.

Sunflowers - Gentle giants, bold, and friendly. Can be grown in pots.

Mint - Hardy, easy to grow, and can help with digestion and breath and help (in moderation). Best kept in a pot as it spreads!

Basil - My favourite herb. Fragrant and ideal on a kitchen windowsill. Top tip: Pop the pot on a tray and water from the bottom - the plant will take what it needs.

Camomile - Light, calming, and lovely as a tea.

If you do have a garden and a fellow sun-worshipping hound, I keep a bed in the shade for Twigs with her water bowl frequently topped up which encourages her to take breaks. If you have room for a tree in your garden, what a perfect shaded spot. We also like to keep the back door open too so Twiggy can also take a break indoors whenever she fancies.

Inspired by Monty’s Chelsea garden, you could even create a trail of dog-friendly plants for your Italian Greyhound to explore - a lovely way to gently stimulate their senses.

A pot of lavender by the door or a small tray of herbs on a windowsill is just lovely. It can be kept quite simple. Just the act of growing and nurturing something can be a quiet celebration of the season ahead.

✨ Something new is blooming

The Fleur was designed with this slower, softer season in mind - pieces that feel special but effortless, yet comfortable through softness and breathability. It launched on 29th May, so you’ll have something else beautiful to mark the start of summer.