Many ornamental shrubs and hedges are imported from distant countries and are very popular among amateur gardeners in our country and in Europe in general.

These include, among others, yours, the rhododendron and the cherry laurel. All three plants look fantastic, but they do not provide any ecological benefit, they promote the death of insects and are therefore harmful to the environment.

When designing the garden or deciding which plants can live on your terrace or balcony, you should not only take into account the appearance and the necessary care, because certain plants that have many points in that sense can leave aside others that are more beneficial for the environment and have fewer risks.

1. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Cherry laurel is popular among hobby gardeners as a hedge plant. What traders prefer not to say is that The plant, which consumes a lot of water, is very poisonous, pruning is laborious and seed dispersal is a big problem for local nature.

Its leaves, which contain hydrogen cyanide, are almost impossible to compost and must be pruned again and again. The serrated leaves turn brown and a straight cut with an electric hedge trimmer is not recommended. The gardener must use hand shears.

The things they become fatal for nature when birds transport the seeds of the invasive plant to nature reserves or when green waste is disposed of improperly.

How leaves rot badly in the compost pilethey are often discarded at the edge of the forest or in other places in nature. Although this is prohibited, it has unfortunately become a popular bad habit.

This has fatal consequences for ecosystems such as forests. Over there, The laurel quickly displaces the native plants that serve as food for insects. This means that the environment is becoming poorer and in the end great efforts will have to be made to limit the damage.

2. Rhododendron (Rhododendron)

The same goes for the rhododendron, which is also considered an environmentally harmful plant. It also displaces native plants without offering any added value to insects or birds.

In addition, the flowers, leaves and fruits, and to a lesser extent the rest of the parts of the plant, They contain toxic diterpenes. Even contact with the plant can cause skin irritation. Eating just one leaf or flower can cause the following symptoms of poisoning:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomachache
• Nausea
• Mucosal and extremity hypersensitivity
• Increased salivation

If the symptoms are mild, just drink plenty of fluids; if they are severe, seek medical help. There are plants more poisonous than the rhododendron, but its toxicity, together with its environmental uselessness, They do not make it suitable for the garden or balcony and even less so if you have small children at home.

3. Tree of life (Yours)

This environmentally harmful plant is a type of cypress that is often used as a hedge due to its dense growth, but It does not provide any ecological benefit and is poisonous.

Poisoning with its active ingredients causes nausea, intestinal problems, skin irritation, cramps and organ damage. Children and animals are especially at risk.

When caring for and especially cutting the thuja hedge, the sap from the plant escapes, which can cause serious skin reactions on bare skin. Therefore, when working in the thuja hedge, you should always wear gloves, long-sleeved clothing, and possibly a mask.

Ecological alternatives for the garden

There are some more ecologically valuable alternatives. Suitable shrubs are:

• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): from the Rosaceae family, with white or pink flowers.
• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): It displays beautiful white flowers and the fruits can be harvested and processed.
• Turkish or Mediterranean hazelnut (Corylus colurna): develops spectacular clusters of fruits.

If you are looking for opaque and environmentally friendly hedges, The best options are:

• Wild cherry (Prunus avium): It is an ornamental tree rich in flowers, especially attractive to wild birds.
• Rosehip (Rosa eglanteria, Rosa rubiginosa): You will find different varieties with colorful flowers and fruits.
• black elderberry (Sambucus nigra): Its flowers are beautiful, and the fruits are healthy.
• Goat willow (Salix caprea): Displays large yellow flowers in spring.