I also have these concerns. I have an 18 month old. She is just understanding the words NO, so I have tried to avoid planting the poisonous plants, but I think it's hard to keep away from that totally. Many things I look up and just love tend to have the poisonous words connected with them.

Since you already have this in your yard and it's a magnet for your son attention, I would probably move it to an area that you don't walk past as much. That way your son wont pass it as often. And you can always move it back when he is older and understands not to touch that one.

Cath

My daughter is 6 now so I don't worry too much about her, but I do remember those concerns. I have tons of kids in my neighborhood and while I had an easy time teaching my own daughter that you don't put flowers in your mouth, or pick flowers without asking etc, it is not so easy with the neighbor's kids. My neighbor's daughter was much more oral and she would often put strange things in her mouth that really surprised me, so you might want to think about where you have these plants, but even she never ate any of the plants. Even non-poisonous plants can be dangerous if they chemicals on them, so hopefully you will be able to to teach your children to understand this soon. I would try and keep a 10 month old away from any plants unless it is a safe flower you have picked and handed to him etc. I personally have many "poisonous plants" and don't really worry about it.

Pam, how about putting the little cheapo Big Lots fences around poisonous plants for a year or so until the baby begins to understand "No" (lets hope, huh?). They just stick in the ground and can be easily made into pieces for individual plants. Green ones aren't so obtrusive.

GGG

All it takes is a couple of seconds. At this point, there is no question what you should do. Remove all of those plants that the children can get their hands on. That would make it far less stressful on you, right?

Yeah, I think you're right, rhizo. I've been thinking this already, partly because the poison issue, and partly because the Hellebores left lots of little babies this year. So...anybody want some Hellebores?! :)
Pam

Yes I do! I will take any you have.

I'll take any extra that have not been spoken for yet.

Kathy,
I'll bring your Hellebores to the trade. Ariesf5, will you be going to the Atlanta trade on April 21? I have 5 mature plants, and few that are teenagers, and lots of babies.
Pam

super!

kathyga and ariesf5 you have email. :)
Pam