Vision Group’s Homes and Construction 2023 which took place on November 25 and 26 under the theme Innovations, Standards and Opportunities was both a learning and service-providing platform to Ugandans who are interested in all things - homes and construction.

Hosting a variety of exhibitors who showcased all kinds of building materials and real estate properties, expo-goers also attended seminars and panel discussions facilitated by experts in architecture, physical planning, real estate finance and investment and backyard gardening and interior design. 

During the landscaping and backyard gardening training session, it emerged that many people love green environments in their homes. This is a good desire, that contributes to the protection of our environment, as well as provides the family with natural fresh air. 

However, when you choose plants for your garden or home, do you pick them based on their looks or function? Do you plant them for their size or colour? Do you research the plants you want to have at home or do you pick up plants based on how you feel? 

No matter how you choose your plants, you should be careful of harmful ones, because there are some that you should not have in your compound due to the dangers they pose to people who come in contact with them. 

Advising those who attended the session, Solomon Luyimbazi from the CIDI Training Centre for Gardening and Landscaping cautioned flower lovers against growing a certain category of plants.

Avoid thorny plants: these are going to prink anyone who comes in contact with them and they are difficult to maintain.

High maintenance plants: These need a lot of care; thus, one should be able to create time and look after them. If you are a busy person, just buy plants that do not need a lot of care and can survive as opposed to spending a lot of money on high-maintenance plants you cannot look after.

Poisonous plants: For homes with children and where pets move freely, it is dangerous to have poisonous plants, however beautiful and appealing to a home they may be. This is because they are capable of taking a life if you get in contact with them and in most cases, first aid does not help. 

Luyimbazi adds that what makes having toxic plants at home scarier is that, unless you have actually witnessed your child or pet eating or touching a plant, you may never guess it's to blame if they suddenly become violently ill, making the situation difficult to treat. The expo was sponsored by Steel and Tube Industries.