Size: 1-5 feet tall, depending on variety. Bell peppers. A perfect companion for hybrid roses, catmint has gray-green foliage and clusters of blue, violet, pink, or white flowers through the summer. Especially when in bloom, this easy-to-grow perennial prefers moist, well-drained soils, so make sure to give it plenty of water during long dry periods. To successfully grow lavender, plant it in well-drained alkaline soil that easily allows water to pass through it. 7, no. 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. However, the danger comes with rabbits who dont have a discerning palate. While strawflowers may grow as short-lived perennials in zones 8 to 11, theyre treated as annuals elsewhere. 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. Hollyhocks are lovely flowers that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. Butterflies and hummingbirds, on the other hand, love the tubular flowers. Colorful Shirley poppies arent eaten by most rabbits, probably because of their aroma and milky sap. All rights reserved. The Century Plant is one of the most popular Agave varieties for gardens. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control them from overrunning your garden. Selecting rabbit resistant plants isnt a sure-fire solution because the critters will eat nearly anything if theyre hungry and food is scarce. Try the plants in borders, rock gardens and mixed beds. Bell flowers, also called campanula are safe for rabbits to eat. While cute, rabbits can be serious garden pests! They love moist soil and prefer full sun. In fact, most rabbits prefer to eat grasses, clover, and other types of herbs. 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 a rabbit were to eat anything animal-based it would get a very upset stomach - or worse! Along with excellent rabbit resistance, irises offer gorgeous flowers that come in a rainbow of colors. Remember this: Do not dare to give carnations to rabbits because it is undoubtedly not good for their health. A-Z-Animals.com. Tender green shoots will be gnawed off, often right to ground level. Availability of colors or sizes varies based on your local store. This plant often left alone in a garden, even when rabbits have access to it. Coral bells, one of the most popular shade perennials, happen to resist rabbit predation, too. So you want to get a pet rabbit, but youre a little bit afraid of those long front teeth. The whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves, stem, and even the seeds. Recent plantings and soft growth in the spring can be eaten, even if the plants are not susceptible at other times . Though the leaves are its best feature, lamb's ears also produces spikes of pink flowers throughout the summer. 26. The flowers and the foliage both smell like anise, giving the plant its common name. Rabbits have favorite foods, and thats why your neighbors plants may fare better than yours. Wax begonias are easy to grow in shade to sun, but they dont like the heat, so shield them from the sun if you live in a hot climate. She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. Arugula. They feed in nearly any location where oleander plants can be grown, other than California. Lavender. The begonias are also toxic and cause different health problems to them. 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. These bulbs bloom in shades of red, orange, yellow, white, and pink and offer a variety of flower shapes. Their diets include grasses, clover and some cruciferous plants, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. One of the toughest plants in the garden, baptisia has spikes of violet, blue, yellow, or white flowers and attracts bees in early summer. How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden Without 2023 Warner Bros. Theyre easy to grow provided you place them in a location that gets filtered light or partial shade. Does your rabbit like to flip over their food bowls? There are a whole host of salvia varieties that are great picks for hot, dry sites where you want tons of color all season. Often, native plants are relatively rabbit resistant more so than non-native (exotic) plants. Marsh marigolds and french marigolds (also called african marigolds) are mildly toxic and should not be given to rabbits. Rabbits are voracious eaters and leave clean-cut damage. Other names for oleander caterpillars They're often described as "spiny black caterpillars" in Florida. Lavender is among the plants that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. 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. She enjoys writing about garden, food, and home topics. Native to the southern United States and South America, cleomes bear large flower clusters from midsummer until frost. Although some rabbits may not enjoy eating this bloom, they are still edible and can be eaten if the rabbit is hungry. The flowers are long-lasting and beautiful for cut bouquets. Since rabbits have evolved to be herbivorous, they do not eat anything that comes from animals, such as meat or eggs. Also called english marigolds, these big, bright orange or yellow flowers dont have to be grown in a pot. In addition, it is high in sugar, and it contains mycotoxins that are harmful to rabbits. Daylilies are the classic harbingers of summertime in the garden. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Vet Rec Open, vol. The leaves of this plant look similar to the common mint that is used in cooking, but the two plants are not directly related. Depending on the variety, salvia blooms may be cream, orange, lavender, pink, red, purple or blue on plants with green, gray-green or silvery green leaves. It has a high amount of protein and can cause digestive upset or weight gain in high amounts. The plant is good for humans, but if rabbits eat it, it can cause an upset stomach. You may only need to plant them once for many years of beautiful summer flowers. It is very good for them, being high in fiber, and is very similar to the hay that you feed your rabbit every day (except its not dried). She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. In the wild, most rabbits instinctively avoid tomato plants and prefer to eat fruits instead. Related:10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard. While many spring bulbs are rabbit magnets, daffodils are one of the few bulbs that pesky critters avoid. This clean-cut damage often happens at ground level, as rabbits tend to eat the yummy green shoots of tulips and other plants. Vinca minor and major are fast spreading, and may be considered invasive in some areas. Stinging nettle and dead nettle are both safe for rabbits to eat. It's not uncommon for people to wonder what wild rabbits eat, because pet . Both plants produce colorful blooms in red, pink, or white. In North America, rabbits are found in woods, meadows, fields, and even gardens. Azaleas are a subspecies of the rhododendron family and are another plant that squirrels love to eat. Begonias are yet another annual that some rabbits avoid, while others seem to enjoy snacking on them. This includes the flowers, leaves, and stems. 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. Moshobane, Claude Moshobane et al. One cherry tomato fruit flesh is sufficient to satisfy their sweet tooth. Fortunately, there are many flowering plants -- annuals, perennials and shrubs -- that rabbits generally avoid. Make your own rabbit deterrent spray. But they have many different aliases. 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. However, some similar plants have. Some rabbits will really love these flowers and gobble them up, while other rabbits will completely ignore them. 1. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. The flowers, leaves and stems are all edible and are not poisonous to rabbits. Rabbits also tend to avoid plants that exude a milky sap. 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. Then you will receive tips and tricks about rabbit care straight to your inbox so that you know youll be taking excellent care of your new rabbit. Some plants are more rabbit-resistant than others, but few are truly rabbit-proof. When it comes to trees, rabbits tend to steer clear of: Rabbits generally dont like the prickliness or the flavor and aroma of shrubs such as: Ajuga is a groundcover with a strong aroma and texture that usually deters rabbits. Not sure if you have rabbits? In particular, rabbits love to feast on tomatoes, corn, carrots, cucumbers, and hot peppers. Like alfalfa hay, clover is a legume plant. Regardless of whether or not your rabbit likes to munch on these, you dont have to worry about keeping them out of your rabbits reach (unless youre trying to grow them, that is). There are over 40 species of lavender plants which all serve the same purpose. 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. After about a decade of population growth, rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, hawks, and other natural predators hunt them. Ivy is another plant that people use to decorate their homes as well as the yard. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained, moist soil. These animals are going to ease grass, clovers, dandelions, weeds, and plants. In the winter time, you may see trails running through the snow where rabbits have been moving from shrub to shrub as they feed. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Catmint Companion Plants: Tips On Planting Next To Catmint Herbs, Spicing It Up With Exotic Culinary Herbs: Exotic Herbs To Grow In Your Garden, Growing Oriental Poppies: Tips On How To Grow Oriental Poppy, How To Create A Secret Garden In Your Own Backyard, Reasons For No Brussels Sprouts On Plants, Boston Ivy On Walls: Will Boston Ivy Vines Damage Walls, Canopy Thinning: Tips For Thinning Canopies In Trees, Willowherb Information: Tips For The Control Of Willowherb, Holiday Cactus Varieties: What Are The Different Types Of Holiday Cactus, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Violet leaves, flowers and stems are safe for rabbits to eat. Tulips. Spider flowers grow tall and fast in sunny gardens. Look around your garden for pea-sized droppings in small piles, or check your plants for chewed marks. The wood from willow trees is commonly used in toys for rabbits. Fences and repellents help protect susceptible garden plants from these hungry pests. Just be careful that you dont have a false jasmine plant. Zonal geraniums are bushy plants that typically bear soft, rounded leaves marked with a dark band. Some have strongly scented leaves or flowers, while others contain distasteful or poisonous substances. Where to Plant. Since rabbits cannot vomit, eating too much of something poisonous can cause severe illness. Container-grown plants need indirect sunlight in the midday sun to ensure pots don't dry out quickly. Grow geraniums in full sun and keep the faded flowers removed to encourage reblooming. You can try adding some of these yummy flowers to your rabbits daily greens to give them a yummy pansy salad. They don't need much care either. Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. Tough vincas are evergreen groundcovers that bear pretty white or blue flowers in shady areas each spring. The truth is that rabbits love to graze on natural grass. Cacti, yuccas and agaves have developed . Dipladenia plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. 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. Adding fencing can be most effective. If you are new to caring for rabbits, check out the Bunny Lady bimonthly newsletter. Youll want to be aware of any flowers or garden greens that your rabbit has access to, so you can be sure they wont eat anything harmful. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Most of the time when rabbits have enough safe plants to munch on, theyll ignore other unsafe plants because these dont taste as good. Plants produce colorful blooms in red, orange, yellow, white, hot... From animals, such as meat or eggs and South America, cleomes bear large flower from! Them once for many years of beautiful summer flowers health problems to them, cucumbers, and peppers... 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