Begonia foliage ranges from green to an attractive bronze or maroon. Just be careful that you dont have a false jasmine plant. Rabbits do have an appetite that varies with the different growing periods. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Periwinkle is an evergreen flowering groundcover,. Dyson vacuum comparison: Which Dyson model should you buy. If you are new to caring for rabbits, check out the Bunny Lady bimonthly newsletter. Keep in mind that your rabbit's stomach is tiny. Marigolds have a well-earned reputation for repelling numerous garden pests, but do rabbits eat marigolds? Since rabbits cannot vomit, eating too much of something poisonous can cause severe illness. Not sure if you have rabbits? Give salvias full sun to light shade, in garden spots with average, well-drained soil. Ajuga plants are evergreen or semi-evergreenand are hardy in zones 3-9. Coral bells, one of the most popular shade perennials, happen to resist rabbit predation, too. In general, deer tend to avoid strongly scented plants like herbs, plants with thick or leathery leaves such as yucca and thorny plants such as holly and thistle. In colder regions the plants are best grown as annuals but can be overwintered if you are careful. To solve your bunny problem, choose from these rabbit-resistant perennial plants. These tend to be either aromatic, thorny, or members of the nightshade family: Rabbits. However, they do prefer a consistent level of moisture, so do try to keep the soil damp but not wet. Lungwort is a lovely shade-loving plant with an ugly name. Whether you keep them potted inside or grow them in a garden, you may not want your rabbit to get ahold of these flowers because of how beautiful they are. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is a perennial plant that provides a fragrant option to keeping rabbits away. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained, moist soil, Size: 2-7 feet tall, depending on variety. However, rabbits are just one animal eats hydrangeas. Violet leaves, flowers and stems are safe for rabbits to eat. Ligustrum - privet - There's many reasons it's a popular hedging plant - evergreen, dense, neat - and probably rabbit-resistant. Not sure if you have rabbits? However, rabbits prefer to stay away. Rabbits probably dislike ageratums fuzzy, fringed blooms and the texture of its foliage. If you notice signs of digging and bulbs or roots removed from the ground, this is usually not rabbit damage. Daylilies are the classic harbingers of summertime in the garden. Dipladenia plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. They do well in any type of light, and while they prefer moist soil, they are drought tolerant. Scale Fortunately, a lot of the same plants that deer don't like are also disliked by rabbits. Hardy perennial plants grow back year after yearif the local bunny population lets them grow. Keep these moist and warm, about 65 to 75 degrees F. (18-24 C.), and place them in bright, indirect light. Dipladenia requires full direct sunlight in areas where it is grown in the ground - at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Make your own rabbit deterrent spray. What Do Rabbits Eat? Selecting rabbit resistant plants isnt a sure-fire solution because the critters will eat nearly anything if theyre hungry and food is scarce. Agave plants need full sun and gritty, well-draining soil. While some varieties are pink or white, blue is the most common color. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) blooms in midsummer, bearing tall, 2- to 5-foot spikes of tubular flowers that are speckled inside. Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design. Each flowering shrub reaches a mature height of 24 in., tolerates neutral soil conditions and requires full sun for optimal growth. Oriental Poppies have bright, huge flowers, and are sure to add some serious wow to your garden. Nasturtiums are tasty flowers for rabbits to snack on. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Put one of these colorful annuals in your garden beds to keep hungry bunnies at bay. By Tony Hans Last Updated: July 22, 2022. Rabbits also tend to avoid plants that exude a milky sap. Wild rabbits eat a lot of different things, including wildflowers, grasses, vegetable plants, and weeds. More could wreak havoc on their . As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9; Chrysanthemums are perennial flowers that add late-season color to the garden, preferring full sun and moist, but well-drained soil. Plant daylilies in full to partial sunlight, preferably in moist soil that drains well. There is another species of plants called perilla mint (also called beefsteak mint or Japanese basil) that is toxic for rabbits. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. The whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves, stem, and even the seeds. 7, no. Impatiens plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 11, with some variation depending on the cultivar. The foliage is low-growing, and depending on the variety, foxgloves blooms range from pink and red to purple, white and yellow. However, many plants that are toxic to pets and humans are also toxic to rabbitsand they tend to avoid them. You may see these drought-tolerant annuals referred to as corn poppies, Flanders poppies or field poppies. All salvia varieties attract hummingbirds and most types are rabbit resistant. This means garden plants and potted house plants can often fall prey to a curious rabbit. The delicate-looking flowers come in pink, red, orange, violet, yellow and white, backed by fern-like, gray-green foliage. Bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum) Barberry ( Berberis) Burning bush ( Euonymus spp.) Its seeds and leaves also contain triterpenoids, which are toxic to rabbits and cause liver and kidney failure as well as gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. While most safe plants are healthier than sugary treats, they should still be given to rabbits in moderation and variety. Having these in your garden may actually convince them to go elsewhere: It is not difficult to identify when rabbits have been eating your plants. Some rabbits will really love these flowers and gobble them up, while other rabbits will completely ignore them. The leaves of this plant look similar to the common mint that is used in cooking, but the two plants are not directly related. Zonal geraniums are bushy plants that typically bear soft, rounded leaves marked with a dark band. Some rabbits may enjoy eating zinnias, while others may not be particularly . Use these low-growing, low-maintenance plants as an edging for walkways, beds and borders. They do eat a huge variety of food types. Chokeberry ( Aronia spp.) Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Lungwortis as attractive as it is rabbit-resistant. Periwinkle is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. The Old Farmers Almanac: Plant Critter-Proof Plants and Flowers, Fine Gardening: Genus Chrysanthemum (Garden mum), Fine Gardening: Genus Aquilegia (Columbine). Dandelions are actually nutritious for rabbits. Sprinkle with five cloves of garlic and dip them in water. We still want to make sure hay is the largest part of a rabbits diet, and its best to give our bunnies a mix of leafy greens every day. For the adult moth: Wasp moth Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Try the plants in borders, rock gardens and mixed beds. We have five recommendations to protect your plants from winter damage by critters. This plant has a musky scent, which rabbits despise. Their stiff petals may remind you of daisies, but theyre actually modified leaves called bracts, and not true petals at all. Avoid planting in wet soils, and while they are drought tolerant, remember to water them during dry periods of summer. Plants Rabbits Won't Eat As a general rule, plants rabbits don't like include those that have strong scents, spines, prickles, or leathery leaves. Azaleas are a subspecies of the rhododendron family and are another plant that squirrels love to eat. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil, Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety. Monarda varieties are easy to grow and produce pink, red, violet, or white flowers during summer to early fall. Theyre easy to grow provided you place them in a location that gets filtered light or partial shade. This low-care plant is wonderfully drought resistant, too, so you can plant it and enjoy it without much care. Sunflowers are another type of flower that is safe for bunnies to eat. (90-120 cm) Hardiness: A few examples of rabbit-resistant herbs are: Bulbs that tend to be relatively rabbit-resistant include: Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. This is completely normal behavior for rabbits. In fact, that can be ideal because your rabbit can have access to some of the tasty flowers along the bottom of the vine, without completely filling up on them. Plant these easy-care beauties in partial-to-full sun to enjoy the brilliant yellow, golden, or orange flowers from early spring to late fall. Grow geraniums in full sun and keep the faded flowers removed to encourage reblooming. Related: How To: Make and Use Your Own Deer Repellent. The whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves and stem. The flowers come in yellow, orange, cream, white and shades of pink and purple. While there is some cause for concern about plants that are potentially poisonous to pet rabbits, its usually not quite as dangerous as we are led to believe. Warning: Never feed yucca plants to your small pet, as they are poisonous to your pet. 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). An innate sense of danger often- but not always- steers animals away from plants that are toxic. Pot marigolds are also safe for rabbits to eat. This rabbit-resistant plant tolerates heat and drought well. Sign up for our newsletter. Rabbits just dont like some plants, and while they might eat them if things get dire, they wont touch them if theres anything else on the menu nearby. But the mild toxicity of the flowers and foliage repels rabbits. Spider flowers grow tall and fast in sunny gardens. However, theres hope for your garden! The best way to prevent rabbit damage is by planting a variety of rabbit-resistant plants and shrubs. Most types of iris bloom in spring into early summer. Stinging nettle and dead nettle are both safe for rabbits to eat. Many of the substances used for lawn and garden care are poisonous to rabbits. This also includes spearmint, chocolate mint, peppermint, and more. Crown imperial is one of the most popular species. Rose petals can actually be a very yummy treat for many rabbits. Rabbits are herbivores and eat a variety of plants including hay, vegetables, pellets, and fruit. Yarrow is a rugged plant that blooms throughout the summer in yellow, pink, red, and white. Theyre easy to grow perennials, and love full sun and well-draining soil. Or at least try if the plant in front of them, including your precious succulent, looks edible. All parts of horse nettle are potentially toxic for rabbits, but be especially wary of the berries and the leaves. Deer can damage plants 6 feet high, and they tear plants when eating so that the stems and leaves are ragged, not cleanly cut like rabbit damage. There are very few totally rabbit-proof plants, but there are some flowers that rabbits simply do not like and will avoid whenever possible. If you have any chamomile herbal tea, its actually safe to allow your rabbit to drink some of it. In fact, most rabbits prefer to eat grasses, clover, and other types of herbs. Water once every 8 days and feed once in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Just remember to avoid using any poisonous fertilizers or pesticides out on your lawn. Another excellent rabbit-resistant choice for shady gardens is Solomons seal. They are also called Torch Lilies, and are native to South Africa. Spray the product on your bean plants. Lavender is among the plants that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. 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. Just be careful that you dont have a false jasmine plant purpurea is... 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