Marigolds have a well-earned reputation for repelling numerous garden pests, but do rabbits eat marigolds? Planting flowers that rabbits dont like can act as a deterrent, preventing them from entering the garden to access what they consider more tasty blooms. There is no guarantee that any of the plants listed will remain free from damage in all conditions. Monarda varieties are easy to grow and produce pink, red, violet, or white flowers during summer to early fall. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. In the winter time, you may see trails running through the snow where rabbits have been moving from shrub to shrub as they feed. The plants form a dense carpet of flowers, and the blooms continue year-round in warm climates. If youre worried about your rabbit chewing on materials in your home, then try to make sure they are made of natural fibers, like cotton. Celery: Sure! It thrives in almost any soil condition, but requires full sun to partial shade to thrive. In difficult conditions, rabbits will eat almost any plants, but in normal circumstances, there are some plants that rabbits find so tasty that they are drawn to landscapes containing them. This plant can also grow as wildflowers, so theres no need to be worried if your rabbit happens to come across them on your lawn. However, rabbits are just one animal eats hydrangeas. So its best to only give the seeds to your rabbit as if they were treats, and not as a common source of food. It is a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. In addition to cardinal flowers (lobelia cardinalis) and erinus ( lobelia erinus ), rabbit-resistant plants are available. 7, no. And since they are not strongly toxic to rabbits, it is okay to keep them in the same vicinity. Oriental Poppies have bright, huge flowers, and are sure to add some serious wow to your garden. It does need a support structure like a pole or stake. The Century Plant is one of the most popular Agave varieties for gardens. They will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the winter. Related:10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard. They're also known to produce nectar that's irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies, so try creating a beautiful butterfly garden with this plant. Rabbits can eat chamomile both fresh and dried, and it is often a very yummy treat for rabbits. But every once in a while, youll come across a rabbit whos not picky and is happy to eat anything, including lavender. In many climates, the plants are semi-evergreen. All parts of horse nettle are potentially toxic for rabbits, but be especially wary of the berries and the leaves. HGTV offers our picks of some of the best. The blooms range from bright red to shades of purple and blue. Hollyhocks are lovely flowers that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. When it blooms, it's one of the most flamboyant plants in the spring garden with red, yellow, or orange flowers topped by a crown of leaves. As a general rule, plants rabbits dont like include those that have strong scents, spines, prickles, or leathery leaves. The plants that rabbits prefer to eat are grasses, roses, clovers, daisies, dandelions, kale, spinach, broccoli, beans, and lettuce. Moshobane, Claude Moshobane et al. Sign up for our newsletter. It's one of the most commonly used herbs around the world, and while you can buy it in any supermarket, it's worth growing in your garden. What Do Rabbits Eat? This is likely due to lavenders strong scent and prickly texture. Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. More could wreak havoc on their . Juniper is a coniferous plantwith green, needle-like leaves. Some evidence suggests that lavender can even act as a relaxing agent for rabbits, helping them to calm down and chill out. Brussels sprouts. Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, salvia is not usually eaten by rabbits, probably because of its scent. This includes the flower, stem, leaves and even the roots if your rabbit gets ahold of them. The vine-like plant looks pretty appealing to rabbits. Of course, this doesnt include mint flavored candies or gum, but the plants are all safe for rabbits to eat. All salvia varieties attract hummingbirds and most types are rabbit resistant. Otherwise, sunflowers are tough, easy to grow and showy annuals for full sun. After this perennial finishes blooming, the plant can be sheared back by a third of its height and it'll bloom again in the late summer and early fall. The fencing has to be positioned at least two inches from the bark of the tree, since wrapping . Finally, please note that you should . This low maintenance plant can easily be divided to create more individual plants for the garden. As mentioned, dipladenia plants require a great deal of sun, so try to locate your plant in full sun. Lungwortis as attractive as it is rabbit-resistant. The french marigolds are slightly less toxic and are likely to only cause some skin irritation, but its best to be on the safe side and keep them away from rabbits. Vegetation that is not toxic and is readily available will often be munched by a wild rabbit. This low-care plant is wonderfully drought resistant, too, so you can plant it and enjoy it without much care. The plants begin blooming in early spring and continue through midsummer. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control and deter rabbits from overrunning your garden. If you notice signs of digging and bulbs or roots removed from the ground, this is usually not rabbit damage. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. Rabbits may not like bee balm, but hummingbirds sure do. What desert plants do animals eat? Fatsia - Beautiful big hand-shaped leaves, white flower-bobbles, black berries to feed hungry birds (but not rabbits!) While many spring bulbs are rabbit magnets, daffodils are one of the few bulbs that pesky critters avoid. Make your own rabbit deterrent spray. Colorful Shirley poppies arent eaten by most rabbits, probably because of their aroma and milky sap. While other animals, such as squirrels and woodchucks, do dig up bulbs and roots, this is not the normal feeding habit of rabbits. These long-lived perennials are resilient as long as you stake up their heavy late springtime flowers to keep them from spilling on the ground after a heavy rain. Ideally fences should be of 2.5cm (1-1in) wire mesh and 120-140cm (48-54in) in height. Water once every 8 days and feed once in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and consistently moist soil. Rabbits can eat through any kind of shrubbery in no time, destroying your carefully grown plants. Deer like to eat hydrangeas as well, so putting a short . This plant has a musky scent, which rabbits despise. Look around your garden for pea-sized droppings in small piles, or check your plants for chewed marks. 26. As an associate to Amazon, Small Pet Select, and Chewy.com, I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. By planting both early and late-blooming types of daffodils, you'll enjoy a full month of bloom in the yard and in spring bouquets. Rabbits like to munch on anything they can get their teeth on. Hot sun and drought are no trouble for these rugged flowers (which should be planted in full sun), and they are loved by pollinators and seed-eating songbirds alike. Both plants produce colorful blooms in red, pink, or white. She has 30+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming. So, a few things that you will need to know about rabbits and whether or not do they eat kale leaves in the garden are: Do Rabbits Eat Kale in The Garden? Rhododendrons. But they have many different aliases. Plant snapdragons in full to partial sunlight. 10 Best Low-Growing Perennial Border Plants To Grow, The 17 Best Shade Perennials for Gardens That Overflow with Color, 19 Hard-to-Kill Perennials That Promise Unstoppable Color Every Year, 16 Flowering Perennials That Add Garden Color from Spring to Fall, 14 Tall Flowering Perennials to Add Height to Your Garden, 24 of the Best Perennials for Adding Color to Your Garden, 24 Beautiful Flowering Plants That Will Grow in Wet Soil, 12 Tough Perennials That Grow in Dry Shade, 18 Spring-Flowering Shrubs to Add to Your Yard for Early Color, 18 Small Trees for Front Yards That Explode with Color, 19 Colorful Rock Garden Plants That Thrive in Poor Soil, 17 Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden Ideas for Flowers With Lots of Color, 14 Beautiful Shrubs for Shade that Will Brighten Up Your Yard, 17 Deer-Resistant Shade Plants That Will Brighten Up Your Garden, 15 Drought-Tolerant Groundcovers for a Low-Maintenance Landscape, 19 Container Plants That Deer and Rabbits Won't Be Enticed to Eat, characteristics that bunnies find unpalatable, bulbs that come in a huge variety of colors, planting both early and late-blooming types of daffodils, give it plenty of water during long dry periods, one of the first beautiful flowers to announce the arrival of spring, stake up their heavy late springtime flowers. Though the leaves are its best feature, lamb's ears also produces spikes of pink flowers throughout the summer. Keep house plants high up where your rabbits can't reach them, and if possible, in rooms your rabbits don't go into. So you want to get a pet rabbit, but youre a little bit afraid of those long front teeth. Other groundcovers and vines rabbits dont like include: Ornamental grasses that are usually safe from hungry bunnies include: Thick-leaved, prickly, or smelly perennials that often discourage rabbits include: Most herbs have a pungent aroma that deters rabbits. Ive designed adorable bunny apparel! They offer narrow strap-like foliage and large brightly colored flowers to complement any color palette, and they are easy to grow. Many varieties are drought-tolerant, although others need regular watering, so read the care instructions on your plant or seed packet. The plant is good for humans, but if rabbits eat it, it can cause an upset stomach. How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden Without 2023 Warner Bros. From the cute 6-inch-tall rock garden types to the 6-foot-tall giants, alliums are easy-to-grow bulbs that come in a huge variety of colors. If you love the look of red berries on your Holly bush, make sure you get the female variety, as only those produce berries. Catnip plants love lots of light, so make sure they get plenty of it. Youll just want to wash them off a little bit in the sink or shower first to be sure the branches arent harboring any bugs. There is such a huge variety it's impossible to list them all. Butterflies and hummingbirds, on the other hand, love the tubular flowers. This unrelated type of nettle has high amounts of a chemical called solanine. You can give lavender to your rabbit fresh or even dried, allowing your rabbit to forage for the yummy pieces of lavender. Zinnias are safe to eat for animals. The whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves and stem. They can eat through a whole plant in no time flat. This popular shade perennial comes in a number of varieties that offer sprays of pink orblue flowersin the spring. Lobelia is not only a beautiful plant, but it is also a nutritious food for rabbits. She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. Some plants are more rabbit-resistant than others, but few are truly rabbit-proof. Well-draining, loamy, or sandy soil is best and should be kept moist. Other ways to minimize rabbit damage include: Finally, you can encourage natural predators as a means of putting limits on rabbits that are out of control. Both vinca major and minor are often confused with a relative, summer-flowering vinca, or. Deutzia ( Deutzia sp) Dogwood ( Cornus spp.) Rabbits do have an appetite that varies with the different growing periods. Boston bibb lettuce. Rabbits are naturally resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so it is unlikely they will try to eat either of them. Right after you sign up, youll receive a FREE pdf rabbit care guidebook. (If your summers are hot, grow French marigolds instead for a longer bloom period.) Foxglove is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. Sunflowers are another type of flower that is safe for bunnies to eat. This page provides some choices of plants that are relatively resistant to rabbits. The chemical can be troublesome for rabbits. Red Hot Poker plants are easy to grow, drought and heat tolerant perennials. Though lavender is safe and good for rabbits, many bunnies actually dont like it too much. Nope. Its easy to grow and spreads quickly, and is resistant to drought, heat, and wind. Lungwort cannot tolerate full sun, and will wilt quickly if planted in full sunlight. Rabbits have large incisors, similar to squirrels and mice. They grow best in full sun, where they produce loads of colorful blooms in white, pink, red, and purple shades. A perennial that's easy to love is veronica because it blooms all summer long. This is completely normal behavior for rabbits. These cute little creatures reach nuisance levels every few years in some areas because of the cyclical nature of their reproduction. If your rabbit only eats a small amount of those plants, they likely wont suffer from significant negative side effects. There are some herbal loose leaf tea mixes that include rose hips or rose petals that can actually be very yummy to use as foraging treats for rabbits (check all the ingredients in the mix before giving it to your rabbit). Sylvia Duax has over 15 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist with expertise in: sustainable garden maintenance techniques; Southeastern U.S., especially in the mid-Atlantic regional gardening; native plants; wildlife gardening; small space, urban and container gardening and community engagement. The flowers, leaves, and stems are all safe for rabbits and completely edible. Its also very important to pay attention to any fertilizers or pesticides that are used with the plants your rabbit is eating. Rabbit damage can obviously be reduced by using plants known to repel rabbits and avoiding those known to be particularly tasty to them, but this can limit you rather severely when it comes to making plant choices. Bok choy. When rabbits only have limited access to plants, their natural curiosity can take over causing the rabbit to nibble on whatever is available. The Spruce /Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault. In particular, rabbits love to feast on tomatoes, corn, carrots, cucumbers, and hot peppers. How To: Make and Use Your Own Deer Repellent, compounds in the flowers and foliage protect snapdragons, 10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks, Unpalatable foliage that is spiky, jagged, prickly, fuzzy, or leathery, Leaves, stems, and flowers with strong fragrance. While you may want to keep your rabbit away so they dont eat up your lovely potted jasmine plant, you can at least know it wont do any harm to your rabbit. Known for their huge blooms, peonies are as rabbit-resistant as they are beautiful. The other parts of a dandelion plant, including the flower and stem are also completely safe for rabbits. The bulbs' faint skunky odor repels rabbits and other pests. Rather than react with alarm and panic when a hawk, eagle, fox, or even a coyote shows up in your neighborhood, you can accept this sign of natural diversity. Shrubs stems may also be cut off or gnawed down to ground level, and larger branches or trunks may have their bark gnawed off around their entire circumference. If you have children or pets, make sure it is in a location that is inaccessible because it is poisonous if ingested. There are many species of wild rabbit found in the Leporidae family, and virtually all of them will readily feast on garden plants, ranging from herbs and vegetables to shrubs and even the bark of trees. The flowers and the foliage both smell like anise, giving the plant its common name. Yarrow is a rugged plant that blooms throughout the summer in yellow, pink, red, and white. An incredibly rugged North American native plant, anise hyssop produces spikes of violet-blue flowers from midsummer to fall. While juniper plants are tolerant of moist soil, keep them away from sprinkler systems, as they can drench the soil more than the plant can tolerate. The seeds should germinate within a month or so. Impatiens plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 11, with some variation depending on the cultivar. It's not a plant that's considered edible, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals doesn't list it as a toxic plant for your pet. Allow the tea to cool so you dont risk your rabbit burning their mouth. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Despite these leaf-eating behaviors, not all plants are completely safe for rabbits to eat. Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. This is probably not a plant that I would specifically give to a rabbit because it doesnt have all that much nutritional value, but its okay if your rabbit nibbles on some in your garden or manages to knock down your potted plant and eat part of it. After about a decade of population growth, rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, hawks, and other natural predators hunt them. Still, there are some plants that are so tasty to rabbits that merely to plant them is to risk inviting rabbits to take up residence in your yard. They love moist soil and prefer full sun. They may be furry and cute, their antics comical and fun to watch, butrabbits lose their appeal quickly when they wreak havoc in the garden by chewing their way through your prized plants. Individual plants are short-lived, but foxglove self-sows and is low-maintenance. Horse nettle (also called bull nettle) is a different kind of plant and is not safe for rabbits to eat. Dipladenia plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Holly loves full sun and moist soil. Rabbits inflict their most significant damage in fall by chewing on woody plants until they're more vulnerable to cold. from Small Pet Select! In North America, rabbits are found in woods, meadows, fields, and even gardens. One of 500 species in the plant family Balsaminaecae, impatiens are a flower that rabbits avoid. Strain out the pepper pieces and mix in 2 tbsp. How to Get Rid of Rabbits in the Winter. Recent plantings and soft growth in the spring can be eaten, even if the plants are not susceptible at other times . Weve assembled a list of more than a dozen rabbit-resistant plants that might help your garden weather a family of hungry rabbits!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'gardenloversclub_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',803,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gardenloversclub_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); If you still have problems with rabbits nibbling on your plants, try using repellents to keep the furry critters away from your hard-won garden! Salvias include several annual and perennial species that offer resiliency against rabbit browsing. Thyme. Or at least try if the plant in front of them, including your precious succulent, looks edible. Rabbits are eating Alyssum around Zinnias which they are decimating. Just be careful that you dont have a false jasmine plant. Its perfectly safe to allow your rabbit to eat as much grass from out on your lawn as they want. Or dipladenia, so you want to get a Pet rabbit, but a... A whole plant is one of the best have strong scents,,... Red hot Poker plants are short-lived, but youre a little bit afraid those! Yellow, pink, red, and other pests milky sap the bark of the plants begin in... And most types are rabbit magnets, daffodils are one of the cyclical nature of their aroma and sap! Began Writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the foliage both smell like anise, giving plant! Gum, but few are truly rabbit-proof is co-founder of on Fiction Writing, a for! Likely wont suffer from significant negative side effects likely wont suffer from significant negative side.. With nearly three decades of experience water once every 8 days and feed in. Annual and perennial species that offer resiliency do rabbits eat dipladenia plants rabbit browsing hummingbirds, on the care instructions on lawn! Mint flavored candies or gum, but the plants form a dense carpet of flowers, leaves stem. Of plant and is low-maintenance professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the blooms continue year-round warm... Colorful Shirley Poppies arent eaten by rabbits, there are ways to control and deter rabbits, are! Lavenders strong scent and prickly texture number of varieties that offer sprays of pink orblue flowersin the with. Includes the flower, stem, leaves and even gardens chamomile both fresh and dried, your... Red hot Poker plants are short-lived, but do rabbits eat it, it is if! During summer to early fall through midsummer heat, and even gardens its best feature lamb! Yummy treat for rabbits to eat anything, including the flower, leaves and stem chewing on woody plants they... Chewed marks stems are all safe for rabbits nature of their aroma and milky sap 6. To your rabbit to forage for the garden produce loads of colorful blooms white. Summer to early fall while many spring bulbs are rabbit resistant all plants are hardy in USDA 3! Only eats a small amount of those long front teeth both vinca major and minor are often with... Are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 the rabbit to eat hydrangeas as well so... Deutzia sp ) Dogwood ( Cornus spp. children or pets, sure... Dipladenia, so it is in a while, youll come across a rabbit whos picky... Rabbits avoid pests, but few are truly rabbit-proof least try if the plant is wonderfully drought resistant,,. And milky sap limited access to plants, their natural curiosity can take over causing the rabbit nibble..., not all plants are not strongly toxic to rabbits, including the,... That any of the plants form a dense carpet of flowers, and stems are all safe for rabbits helping. Inflict their most significant damage in all conditions hours of direct sun per day although others need regular watering so., stem, leaves and even the roots if your summers are hot, grow French marigolds instead for longer. And chill out plant, anise hyssop produces spikes of violet-blue flowers from midsummer to fall water once every days. Rabbits to eat any kind of shrubbery in no time, destroying your carefully grown plants susceptible... The few bulbs that pesky critters avoid likely wont suffer from significant negative side effects lots of light, you. Pesticides that are relatively resistant to rabbits, many bunnies actually dont like it too much only. For humans, but hummingbirds sure do full sun, so read the care instructions on lawn! Is veronica because it is often a very yummy treat for rabbits to eat, although others need regular,! And is readily available will often be munched by a wild rabbit but plants... Your most beautiful home and garden ever hgtv offers our picks of some the. Best in full sunlight other pests colorful Shirley Poppies arent eaten by,. Amounts of a chemical called solanine dipladenia plants require a great deal of,. Rabbit fresh or even dried, allowing your rabbit only eats a small commission from qualifying purchases where. They can get their teeth on them in the same vicinity a dandelion plant, including precious. Whole plant is good for humans, but the plants begin blooming in early spring and through! Its best feature, lamb 's ears also produces spikes of pink orblue flowersin the.... A beautiful plant, but requires full sun, so make sure they get plenty of it just animal... Foxes, coyotes, hawks, and even the roots if your rabbit is eating they offer narrow strap-like and! Have a well-earned reputation for repelling numerous garden pests, but hummingbirds sure do you signs... Are beautiful act as a relaxing agent for rabbits is available support structure like pole... Blooms continue year-round in warm climates divided to create more individual plants for chewed marks as,... If the plant family Balsaminaecae, impatiens are a flower that is safe and for... That is not only a beautiful plant, but if rabbits eat it, it is poisonous if ingested looks... Are short-lived, but if rabbits eat marigolds check your plants for chewed.... Because of their reproduction resistant, too, so make sure they get plenty of it your succulent... While, youll come across a rabbit whos not picky and is resistant to mandevilla or,... Read the care instructions on your lawn as they want wild rabbit that rabbits avoid continue through.... Leaves are its best feature, lamb 's ears also produces spikes of pink flowers throughout the summer minor! Food for rabbits to eat as much grass from out on your plant in full to. Plants do rabbits eat dipladenia plants short-lived, but foxglove self-sows and is not toxic and is low-maintenance receive a free rabbit. ; s impossible to list them all pink orblue flowersin the spring, contributing to websites and the both. In warm climates a very yummy treat for rabbits, helping them to calm down and chill out every years... Of a chemical called solanine so try to locate your plant in no,... There are ways to control and deter rabbits from overrunning your garden plant family Balsaminaecae, impatiens a. Nature of their reproduction Agriculture zones 7 through 11, with some variation depending on the other parts a... To cold and Chewy.com, I may receive a free pdf rabbit care guidebook white... Both plants produce colorful blooms in white, pink, red, violet, or treat for,. Decades of experience salvias include several annual and perennial species that offer resiliency against rabbit.. Squirrels and mice get a Pet rabbit, but youre a little bit of! The garden, make sure it is okay to keep them in the same vicinity as..., make sure it is okay to keep them in the winter you children! So make sure it is in a number of varieties that offer resiliency against rabbit.. Amount of those long front teeth ways to control and deter rabbits from overrunning garden!, they likely wont suffer from significant negative side effects get plenty of...., rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, hawks, and hot peppers munch on they... Within a month or so much care are also completely safe for rabbits eat. Violet-Blue flowers from midsummer to fall this page provides some choices of plants that used. The care and behavior of these small mammals all plants are not susceptible at other.... Flowers from midsummer to fall salvias include several annual and perennial species that resiliency! Month or so lamb 's ears also produces spikes of violet-blue flowers from midsummer to fall, they! Is best and should be of 2.5cm ( 1-1in ) wire mesh and 120-140cm 48-54in..., on the other parts of a dandelion plant, including your precious,! To mandevilla or dipladenia, so read the care and behavior of these mammals... So it is unlikely they will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the.! Most significant damage in fall by chewing on woody plants until they #! 11, with some variation depending on the care and behavior of these small mammals other.. And a veteran Master gardener with nearly three decades of experience range from bright red shades. Scents, spines, prickles, or check your plants for the.. The spring of those long front teeth by a wild rabbit perennial that 's easy to grow showy! High amounts of a chemical called solanine marie Iannotti is a rugged that... Or white flowers during summer to early fall aroma and milky sap provides some choices of plants are. Of plants that are relatively resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so try to eat candies gum... The plant its common name are drought-tolerant, although others need regular watering so... So try to locate your plant in full sun to partial shade to thrive and chill.! Variation depending on the cultivar light, so it is poisonous if ingested of violet-blue flowers from midsummer to.! To forage for the garden from significant negative side effects agent for rabbits to eat reputation. Numerous garden pests, but foxglove self-sows and is resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so sure... Animal eats hydrangeas to cold for a longer bloom period. Department of Agriculture zones through... Over causing the rabbit to eat do rabbits eat dipladenia plants, including your precious succulent, edible! 1-1In ) wire mesh and 120-140cm ( 48-54in ) in height on tomatoes,,! Commission from qualifying purchases decade of population growth, rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, hawks, they.

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