Rose petals can actually be a very yummy treat for many rabbits. Periwinkle is typically a perennial and blooms in midsummer. This includes the leaves, twigs, branches and flowers. Selecting rabbit resistant plants isnt a sure-fire solution because the critters will eat nearly anything if theyre hungry and food is scarce. 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. Some rabbit-resistant perennials perform double duty by also attracting pollinators. Some gardeners say the plants smell pleasantly minty, while others complain of a skunk-like or catty odor. Snapdragons grow best in spring and fall, when temperatures are mild but not too hot or cold. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. These are really beautiful flowers, coming in vibrant warm colors. Nope. of vegetable oil and a couple drops of liquid dish soap. Crown imperial is one of the most popular species. 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. There are countless inter-related variables affecting what rabbits will eat in any given year. 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. One of 500 species in the plant family Balsaminaecae, impatiens are a flower that rabbits avoid. F. Plants and mushrooms associated with animal poisoning incidents in South Africa. They do eat a huge variety of food types. Whether you love the strong aroma of marigold or not, rabbits tend to avoid it. Ideally fences should be of 2.5cm (1-1in) wire mesh and 120-140cm (48-54in) in height. Most of the time when rabbits have enough safe plants to munch on, theyll ignore other unsafe plants because these dont taste as good. This interesting bulb offers a wide variety of flower colors, forms, and sizes. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control and deter rabbits from overrunning your garden. But every once in a while, youll come across a rabbit whos not picky and is happy to eat anything, including lavender. In fact, rabbits can eat the entire plant. While other animals, such as squirrels and woodchucks, do dig up bulbs and roots, this is not the normal feeding habit of rabbits. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. The flowers and the foliage both smell like anise, giving the plant its common name. Just because a plant is safe for rabbits to eat doesnt mean they should be given unlimited access. 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 whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves and stem. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Butterflies, bees, and a variety of insects are attracted to these showy flowers, which bloom from June to October. Zonal geraniums are bushy plants that typically bear soft, rounded leaves marked with a dark band. Rabbits don't eat dahlia tubers as any part of the dahlia plant doesn't seem to hit the appetite of rabbits, so rabbits avoid eating dahlia tubers too like they avoid eating dahlia flowers and leaves. Agave plants need full sun and gritty, well-draining soil. 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. Scale Follow the Bunny Lady and her bunny partner Elusive and they seek to educate rabbit caretakers and make sure everyone is able to have a happy and healthy bunny in their home. Plant these lovely flowers to discourage deer in your garden: But it is very common for rodent and rabbit populations to dwindle when a fox or hawk shows up in the neighborhood. Irises. They will gnaw on the woody stems during the wintertime. But they have many different aliases. These plants are generally considered to be rabbit resistant. Theyre available in a wide array of colors, with blooms ranging from solid shades to bi-color to three or five colors on a single bloom. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Ivy is another plant that people use to decorate their homes as well as the yard. Dipladenia plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. But there are actually some plants that genuinely repel rabbits. In late spring, small white flowers dangle from the leaf axils. 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. The Old Farmers Almanac: Plant Critter-Proof Plants and Flowers, Fine Gardening: Genus Chrysanthemum (Garden mum), Fine Gardening: Genus Aquilegia (Columbine). There are very few totally rabbit-proof plants, but there are some flowers that rabbits simply do not like and will avoid whenever possible. This is unfortunate for any flowers that you are trying to grow, but it means your domestic rabbits are not in danger of poisoning themselves by eating these delicious plants. Rabbits also tend to avoid plants that exude a milky sap. Barriers and other deterrents can keep rabbits out of the garden. Geraniums are thought to deter rabbits with their pungent smell, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a citrus, rose or other appealing fragrance. Strangely enough, they don't mind the thorns on rose bushes and will happily munch them to the ground. Theyre easy to grow but prefer full sun, although they will tolerate light shade, particularly in hot climates. They are. While each of these species and breeds differs slightly, they share a number of features . Rabbits will not even dig up carrots, though they will eat them if another creature has already uprooted them. 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. It may even have some medicinal properties that can help calm a rabbit down. Check out the store for T-shirts, face masks, mugs, sweat shirts and more! If youre planting seeds, sow them on the surface of the soil after all chance of frost has passed. However, please note that this is not a complete list of flowers that are not safe for rabbits to eat. In many climates, the plants are semi-evergreen. It's one of the best nectar plants for pollinators. They are popular for planting in colorful beds and containers thanks to their prolific bloom cycles, which last all season. Sprinkle with five cloves of garlic and dip them in water. Plant snapdragons in full to partial sunlight. 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. Rabbits dine out all year. Rabbits do eat dianthus plants. This easy-growing plant produces lots of pink, red, violet, or white flowers from summer to early fall. Not sure if you have rabbits? The bulbs' faint skunky odor repels rabbits and other pests. 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. There is a natural chemical present in this plant that works as a laxative. When watering the plant, make sure that you do so slowly to give the soil adequate time to soak up the moisture. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home. They offer narrow strap-like foliage and large brightly colored flowers to complement any color palette, and they are easy to grow. Both vinca major and minor are often confused with a relative, summer-flowering vinca, or. Like many of the other plants on this list, all parts of a bell flower plant are edible to rabbits, but the leaves have slightly more nutritious value. By Tony Hans Last Updated: July 22, 2022. Learn more about how you can get quality hay (even ORGANIC hay!) Garden Plants That Rabbits Love to Eat Shrubs and Trees Rabbits prefer tender woody plants with thin bark, so new plants and shoots are at the most risk. Despite these leaf-eating behaviors, not all plants are completely safe for rabbits to eat. Periwinkle is an evergreen flowering groundcover,. Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. Stomach pain and cramps. Vinca minor and major are fast spreading, and may be considered invasive in some areas. The wood from willow trees is commonly used in toys for rabbits. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Subscribe to the Bunny Lady e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit care. Tough vincas are evergreen groundcovers that bear pretty white or blue flowers in shady areas each spring. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Some evidence suggests that lavender can even act as a relaxing agent for rabbits, helping them to calm down and chill out. GardenLoversClub.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. But did you know that the other parts of willow trees are also perfectly safe for rabbits to munch 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. To take care of this precious plant it is necessary to keep in mind that it is very sensitive to cold . The chemical can be troublesome for rabbits. I included cotton on this list to give you some peace of mind about those rabbits that like to chew on clothing. 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. These plants look like true jasmine, but they are characterized by yellow flowers and are actually unrelated. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control them from overrunning your garden. This includes the leaves, twigs, branches and flowers. Fencing. Rabbits have favorite foods, and thats why your neighbors plants may fare better than yours. Chamomile is a completely safe herb for rabbits to eat. Grow it in full sun to part shade, in almost any type of soil; its both heat-tolerant and drought-resistant. A member of the aster family, Tickseed comes in several forms that produce cheerful summer flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, or maroon. Grow geraniums in full sun and keep the faded flowers removed to encourage reblooming. They can be a very yummy treat that rabbits will happily gobble up. 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. The plants flower from early summer to fall if the faded blooms are kept trimmed back. Boston bibb lettuce. A dipladenia plant grows best in zones 9 through 11, where warm climates reign. To solve your bunny problem, choose from these rabbit-resistant perennial plants. 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. Spray your plant with insecticidal soap and recheck it often for signs of mealybugs. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well-drained soil on the drier side. We Recommend Rabbit-Resistant Annuals Deer-Resistant Annuals A popular plant for shade gardens, rabbit-resistant astilbe sends up feathery plumes of pink, white, and red in early summer. Water once every 8 days and feed once in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Related: How To: Make and Use Your Own Deer Repellent. View this plant in a garden Category: Tropicals and Tender Perennials Vines and Climbers Water Requirements: Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade Foliage: Evergreen Smooth Foliage Color: Unknown - Tell us Height: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) Spacing: 36-48 in. They are also called Torch Lilies, and are native to South Africa. However, theres hope for your garden! Rabbits are naturally resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so it is unlikely they will try to eat either of them. Rabbits have large incisors, similar to squirrels and mice. All rabbit species are herbivores and as such only eat plant matter. But just like most animals, rabbits will eat just about anything if theyre hungry enough! There is no guarantee that any of the plants listed will remain free from damage in all conditions. As mentioned, dipladenia plants require a great deal of sun, so try to locate your plant in full sun. Lobularia maritima bears clusters of tiny white, lavender, violet or pink flowers in spring. It's not uncommon for people to wonder what wild rabbits eat, because pet . Cottontail rabbits eat a wide variety of plant foods including grasses, sedges, sprouts, leaves, fruits, buds, and bark. (If your summers are hot, grow French marigolds instead for a longer bloom period.) Many people believe that hay in rabbit cages are simply for bedding. Container-grown plants need indirect sunlight in the midday sun to ensure pots don't dry out quickly. 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. In North America, rabbits are found in woods, meadows, fields, and even gardens. One of the toughest plants in the garden, baptisia has spikes of violet, blue, yellow, or white flowers and attracts bees in early summer. They're also known to produce nectar that's irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies, so try creating a beautiful butterfly garden with this plant. 1. Rabbits can be a severe nuisance to gardeners and homeowners since they can devastate vegetable gardens and kill all types of ornamental plants, shrubs, and flowers. Here is a quick look at the best foods to offer rabbits: Grass And Hay. Agave is a long-leaf succulent that forms a rosette shape and is both drought-resistant and perennial. These cabbage family relatives dont smell like their kin, but they offer an abundance of large, colorful flowers in shades of white, pink, and red. Some gardeners are able to grow sunflowers by sprinkling blood meal, human hair, cow manure, fox urine or other repellants in the garden, or by planting a border of other rabbit-resistant plants around them. 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. Just a few of these variables include: population and overall health of the rabbits, weather conditions, geography and sources of food naturally available in surrounding woods and forested areas. Monarda varieties are easy to grow and produce pink, red, violet, or white flowers during summer to early fall. One of the hardiest garden plants, daylilies bloom in a rainbow of shades and can take all but the toughest conditions. I am here to make sure all of you rabbit lovers have everything you need to care for your fluffy little bundle of joy. Many annual bedding plants are favored by rabbits, including: These perennial plants, in particular, are attractive to rabbits: A great many shrubs are at great danger from rabbits eating the tender spring shoots. It has a high amount of protein and can cause digestive upset or weight gain in high amounts. Check to be sure there are no ingredients that are unsafe for rabbits before giving any, of course. Wire mesh, buried several inches deep, can also help. 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. I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. Keep the flowers deadheaded to encourage repeat blooms. The flowers, leaves and stems are all edible and are not poisonous to rabbits. This rabbit-resistant plant tolerates heat and drought well. The wide range of colorful cultivars is not appealing to rabbits, which increases their value to gardeners. Where this is the case, the erection of rabbit-proof fences and gates can be considered. Keep house plants high up where your rabbits can't reach them, and if possible, in rooms your rabbits don't go into. 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. Rabbits like to munch on anything they can get their teeth on. 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. For the adult moth: Wasp moth Yarrow is a drought-resistant perennial that does well in zones 3-9. 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. The mints that were talking about here are all in the genus Mentha. May earn revenue from the leaf axils have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter flowers. 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