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Is Ragwort dangerous or illegal in the garden?

#1 · 16th June 2022, 10:06 am

I had thought this was rudbeckia last year.. but a plant app is saying it’s Ragwort!!

there seems to be conflicting info about ragwort and I need to know if I should remove it quickly, or if it’s actually ok for a small garden please!

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#2 · 19th June 2022, 7:37 am

Hi Sharonspud,

I had a small amount in my garden, my preference dig it up, all it roots as well, and get rid of safely, this is not good for cattle nor horses either, but insects like it, therefore if you wish to maintain a wild area in your garden, ragwort, nettles, dandelion, teasel you could also include sunflower, tall or the dwarf variety, I'm sure the insects will like you for it.

Bob

#3 · 20th June 2022, 3:05 pm

Quote from sharonspud on 16th June 2022, 10:06 am
I had thought this was rudbeckia last year.. but a plant app is saying it’s Ragwort!!
there seems to be conflicting info about ragwort and I need to know if I should remove it quickly, or if it’s actually ok for a small garden please!

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for your question. It's a really contentious one! A lot of people are up in arms because its super toxic, but many plants are.

I have Ragwort at home in my meadow. I leave a portion of it to grow as it's a habitat for the rare Cinnabar moth who feeds on the toxic stems and flowers.

Bob is right that if it gets into livestock food sources, ie being dried and mixed with grass, it can and usually does kill livestock. A slow painful death. However, there's another school of thought that horses and cattle would avoid this themselves at all costs unless it's mixed with hay and it has a far greater benefit to wildlife than its exclusion.

You will see ragwort on motorway verges and even in some stable fields too! Some horse owners know that feeding their livestock well enough means they avoid it.

You can dig it out but you need to get the full root out.

What I'd say is maybe keep some of it for wildlife but don't let it take over or dry it. Green bin it if need be to stop any livestock eating it. Grow with care and enjoy those wonderfully neon prolific flowers!!