For example, the sunflower house ingredients include Morning Glories (part of the Ipomea family). All members of the Ipomea family have seeds that are mildly to highly toxic. As Morning Glory flowers set seed readily, seeds will abound in the area in which they are planted. This may not be a problem in a household with older children. For the younger set though, thiscould be a poisoning accident waiting to occur.
As well, recommendations for the Moon Garden include jasminetobacco, moonflowers and four-o-clocks. Jasmine tobacco (Nicotiana alata) contains a highly toxic alkaloid, nicotine (think cigarettes), which is readily absorbed through ingestion or via contact with scrapes or cuts on the skin from handling the plant. Moonflowers (ipomea alba) belong to the same family as Morning Glories and their seeds should be considered potentially dangerous if eaten in any quantity. Four-o-clocks (mirabilis jalapa)have poisonous seeds and roots.
In the introduction to the book, Lovejoy write "Since children will be touching and eating some of the plants, gardens should never be treated with herbicides, fungicides or pesticides." This is wise counsel, but given the potential natural hazard created by some of the suggested plants in the book, warning should be given to prospective gardeners (of all ages)concerning the caution required when choosing to introduce plants (especiallythose that set seed readily) into a child's garden.