Its also very important to pay attention to any fertilizers or pesticides that are used with the plants your rabbit is eating. During the spring and summer seasons, groundhogs will have an abundance of plants to enjoy. This rabbit-resistant plant tolerates heat and drought well. Periwinkle is toxic to pets, so be careful planting it if your animals are outside unsupervised very often. Read our, Controlling and Deterring Rabbits in the Garden, 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 37 Best and Worst Companion Plants for Tomatoes, How to Grow and Care for Black-Eyed Susan Vine, 25 Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants for Sun and Shade, 10 Easy-Growing Wildflowers for Your Garden, 12 Types of Wildflowers for Summer Gardens, How to Grow and Care for Black-Eyed Susan, control them from overrunning your garden, How does one identify rabbit damage and what do they eat, F. Plants and mushrooms associated with animal poisoning incidents in South Africa. Echinacea plants bear violet, pink or white daisy-shaped flowers that will attract butterflies. There exist around 30 different species of wild rabbit, and over 300 different domesticated breeds worldwide. Barriers and other deterrents can keep rabbits out of the garden. 2 Apples /crabapples ( Malus spp.) These plants emerge as spreading colonies of narrow arching stems flanked by alternating rows of either medium-green or green-and-white variegated leaves. This drought-tolerant perennial has blue-green foliage that continues to look stunning all the way to frost. Squirrels, deer, and other animals like feeding on the succulent leaves and stems of the bushy perennials. Geraniums are thought to deter rabbits with their pungent smell, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a citrus, rose or other appealing fragrance. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Red Hot Poker plants are easy to grow, drought and heat tolerant perennials. This includes the leaves, twigs, branches and flowers. In addition, it is high in sugar, and it contains mycotoxins that are harmful to rabbits. Chokeberry ( Aronia spp.) Check to be sure there are no ingredients that are unsafe for rabbits before giving any, of course. The following are some of the best annual plants that repel rabbits. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control them from overrunning your garden. Also called floss flower, ageratum is one of the few annuals that blooms in light shade, although it prefers at least six hours of sun each day. 7, no. Dianthus leaves: Rabbits eat dianthus leaves. 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. If you have any cotton plants or trees, they are safe for your rabbit to chew on and eat. If you have cats, plant the catnip in a place where your cats can rub and roll on it without damaging your other plants. Zinnias are safe to eat for animals. The whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves, stem, and even the seeds. Another excellent rabbit-resistant choice for shady gardens is Solomons seal. Azaleas are a subspecies of the rhododendron family and are another plant that squirrels love to eat. 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. These both have high quality rabbit products and are companies that care about the health of our small animals. In contrast, Mandevilla plants are climbing up. The Dipladenia Assortment produces beautiful deep red, hot pink or white flowers that are perfect for brightening up your yard and home. Their diets include grasses, clover and some cruciferous plants, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Spring, Summer, & Fall. 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. Lobularia maritima bears clusters of tiny white, lavender, violet or pink flowers in spring. 27. This easy-growing plant produces lots of pink, red, violet, or white flowers from summer to early fall. 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. Black Eyed Susans are native to North America and are one of the most popular wildflowers grown in gardens. Some rabbit-resistant perennials perform double duty by also attracting pollinators. This type of wood is completely safe, and can often be a lot of fun for rabbits to dig their teeth into. Simply spread the mixture in with your rabbits hay to give them some yummy pieces to find. Give salvias full sun to light shade, in garden spots with average, well-drained soil. They will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the winter. One of the more ornamental herbs, lavender produces wonderfully fragrant foliage and flowers. 26. Agave is a long-leaf succulent that forms a rosette shape and is both drought-resistant and perennial. 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). You know those teeth are good at eating sticks and salad, but what if the rabbit decides to munch on your My name is Amy and I am the Bunny Lady! You can offer them fresh or even dried. They thrive in cool weather, but succumb to heat and humidity. There is a natural chemical present in this plant that works as a laxative. Does your rabbit like to flip over their food bowls? Rabbits prefer young, tender shoots, and are fond of marigolds, pansies, and petunias, among other flowers. Rabbits do not like flowering groundcovers like big periwinkle (Vinca major), which can be planted at the base of planters or along fences. Give them full sun and rich, well-drained soil, and theyll rebloom into early summer. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and consistently moist soil. It's very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Rabbits can wreak havoc with landscapes. Tulips. Dipladenia plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. They love moist soil and prefer full sun. Renee Miller began writing professionally in 2008, contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. While not incredibly nutritious, daisies can be a yummy treat for your rabbit. They bloom best in full sun, but partial shade is fine, especially during the hottest months of the year. Marsh marigolds and french marigolds (also called african marigolds) are mildly toxic and should not be given to rabbits. How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden Without 2023 Warner Bros. Rabbits are naturally resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so it is unlikely they will try to eat either of them. There is another species of plants called perilla mint (also called beefsteak mint or Japanese basil) that is toxic for rabbits. 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. Boston bibb lettuce. They are popular for planting in colorful beds and containers thanks to their prolific bloom cycles, which last all season. But it is very common for rodent and rabbit populations to dwindle when a fox or hawk shows up in the neighborhood. Deutzia ( Deutzia sp) Dogwood ( Cornus spp.) FAQs. If your rabbit has an outdoor run or time outside on a leash, you dont have to worry about them foraging around and munching on these yummy plants. Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Juniper is a coniferous plantwith green, needle-like leaves. Nope. Visible signs that rabbits are finding and eating your pumpkins are: Clean Cuts on Plant Parts: Unlike insects and other pests that leave jagged-edged cuts on leaves and other plant parts that they eat, rabbits leave clean cuts. But the mild toxicity of the flowers and foliage repels rabbits. All parts of horse nettle are potentially toxic for rabbits, but be especially wary of the berries and the leaves. Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design. Its glossy divided foliage adds wonderful texture and color to a small-space shade garden. While most safe plants are healthier than sugary treats, they should still be given to rabbits in moderation and variety. Fencing and Netting. 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. This means that they have a plant-based diet and do not eat meat. Do rabbits eat yucca plants? Verbena is a group of low-growing annuals with a mounding or spreading growth habit that often graces the front of a garden bed, container gardens, or hanging baskets. And since they are not strongly toxic to rabbits, it is okay to keep them in the same vicinity. HARDINESS ZONE.10-12 GROW.Mandevilla seeds require shallow planting, only covering them slightly with soil. Violet leaves, flowers and stems are safe for rabbits to eat. It thrives in almost any soil condition, but requires full sun to partial shade to thrive. Visit our online store for unique gardening products! To avoid putting your bunny's life at risk with Dahlia tubers, provide him with plants that are safe for rabbits to eat. Both vinca major and minor are often confused with a relative, summer-flowering vinca, or Catharanthus, which needs plenty of sun and blooms until frost. According to the official ASPCA, Mandevilla or Dipladenia are plants that are not considered to be toxic or poisonous to dogs, cats, and other animals. This low maintenance plant can easily be divided to create more individual plants for the garden. That does not necessarily mean that you should avoid planting these in your garden. They need regular watering, but can tolerate short droughts. They can be much more toxic than poison plants, so be sure to pay attention to any chemicals you use to keep your garden and plants looking nice. Most rabbit-repellent plants feature one or more of the following characteristics that make them less appealing as rabbit food: Unpalatable foliage that is spiky, jagged, prickly, fuzzy, or. The pretty spotted or variegated foliage adds interest when the plant isn't blooming, and has a rough texture that rabbits tend to avoid. But the good thing is rabbits do not eat the whole plant. 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. Plant daylilies in full to partial sunlight, preferably in moist soil that drains well. Sheryl Geerts is an editor and author who has nearly three decades of writing and editing experience. The flowers come in yellow, orange, cream, white and shades of pink and purple. If you want to experiment in an area where rabbits are a problem, avoid planting an entire row or bed of them. They do eat a huge variety of food types. Zonal geraniums are bushy plants that typically bear soft, rounded leaves marked with a dark band. Where to Plant. Native to the southern United States and South America, cleomes bear large flower clusters from midsummer until frost. 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. Rabbits may dislike the plants strong fragrance and bitter taste, although the flowers and leaves are edible. Wild rabbits eat a lot of different things, including wildflowers, grasses, vegetable plants, and weeds. Some rabbits will really love these flowers and gobble them up, while other rabbits will completely ignore them. One of the more refined milkweed species, the plants compact mounding form thrives in pollinator gardens, where it supports migrating monarch butterflies. What Do Rabbits Like to Eat? 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. 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! Make your own rabbit deterrent spray. Moshobane, Claude Moshobane et al. The leaves can even provide some extra protein for your rabbit. (Rabbits are lagomorphs, not rodents.). Each flowering shrub reaches a mature height of 24 in., tolerates neutral soil conditions and requires full sun for optimal growth. 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. 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