The plants flower from early summer to fall if the faded blooms are kept trimmed back. Just be sure to practice moderation, especially with sunflower seeds. Size: 1-5 feet tall, depending on variety. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. With wild rabbits at epidemic numbers in many suburban and even urban areas, it is no surprise that small natural predators have popped up in areas where it was once unusual to see them. To successfully grow lavender, plant it in well-drained alkaline soil that easily allows water to pass through it. to determine whether its safe to grow in your region. 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. You can offer them fresh or even dried. Alliums, also known as ornamental onions, are rarely eaten by rabbits and other critters due to their pungent smell. Rabbits have favorite foods, and thats why your neighbors plants may fare better than yours. More could wreak havoc on their . They feed in nearly any location where oleander plants can be grown, other than California. (If your summers are hot, grow French marigolds instead for a longer bloom period.) 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. The flower spikes appear in cheery shades of blue, pink, and white. 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. They'll attempt to feed on garden fruits and vegetables, but they eat grass, ornamental plants, and even tree bark, too. Dipladenia flowers are smaller than mandevilla blooms. Its easy to grow and spreads quickly, and is resistant to drought, heat, and wind. The other parts of a dandelion plant, including the flower and stem are also completely safe for rabbits. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. North Dakota State University suggests mixing three fresh jalapeno peppers, ground in a blender, with enough water to make a liquid solution. Columbine requires moist, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade to thrive, and it has the added bonus of attracting hummingbirds. Thyme is part of the mint family. These are really beautiful flowers, coming in vibrant warm colors. For the adult moth: Wasp moth Irises. Breathing difficulties. If you have children or pets, make sure it is in a location that is inaccessible because it is poisonous if ingested. Give salvias full sun to light shade, in garden spots with average, well-drained soil. Many people believe that hay in rabbit cages are simply for bedding. Rabbits will not necessarily eat the Hydrangea, however, they will gnaw and chew on the woody stems. They can't jump very high, so if wild rabbits are the only animal that is eating your hydrangeas, then you only need a short fence to do the trick. Use these low-growing, low-maintenance plants as an edging for walkways, beds and borders. Some people believe that rabbits will eat any type of plant, but this is not true. Their blooms range from insignificant spikes of tiny pink or white flowers to something slightly more showy, but the foliage remains the star of the show. 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. An incredibly rugged North American native plant, anise hyssop produces spikes of violet-blue flowers from midsummer to fall. Boston bibb lettuce. 1, 2020. doi:10.1136/vetreco-2020-000402. An innate sense of danger often but not always steers animals away from plants that are toxic. They offer narrow strap-like foliage and large brightly colored flowers to complement any color palette, and they are easy to grow. That's because, like people, different rabbits have different favorite foods. An Unwanted Guest in the Garden. So when you plant rosemary, lavender, thyme, bee balm, and mint to discourage deer, you are also planting rabbit-resistant herbs. 2 Apples /crabapples ( Malus spp.) Bee Balm plants love full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and do well in USDA zones 4-9. Does your rabbit like to flip over their food bowls? Important: These are Affiliate links. Periwinkle is an evergreen flowering groundcover,. Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, salvia is not usually eaten by rabbits, probably because of its scent. But as opportunistic eaters, rabbits will eat almost anything. 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. Vegetation that is not toxic and is readily available will often be munched by a wild rabbit. The flowers are super long lasting and look great in cut flower arrangements. These flowers are so yummy to rabbits, that many homeowners struggle to find ways of keeping wild rabbits away from them. 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. This rabbit-resistant plant tolerates heat and drought well. This means garden plants and potted house plants can often fall prey to a curious rabbit. It is rare for a small wild predator to attack a domestic pet, and virtually unheard of for any human to ever be threatened by one. Choose from standard or dwarf cultivars in dozens of colors. 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. By Tony Hans Last Updated: July 22, 2022. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Poppies. Humidity is not too important, but temperatures must be above 65 (18.3). Geraniums are thought to deter rabbits with their pungent smell, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a citrus, rose or other appealing fragrance. Catnip is not a very showy plant, so it can be planted near more showy blooms, like Purple Cone Flowers. If youre planting seeds, sow them on the surface of the soil after all chance of frost has passed. 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. Ideally fences should be of 2.5cm (1-1in) wire mesh and 120-140cm (48-54in) in height. Nope. Its best to make sure any indoor potted plants are safe for rabbits, or to keep them completely away from your rabbits reach. 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). You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. They won't have to worry about scavenging to survive. Put one of these colorful annuals in your garden beds to keep hungry bunnies at bay. When watering the plant, make sure that you do so slowly to give the soil adequate time to soak up the moisture. HARDINESS ZONE.10-12 GROW.Mandevilla seeds require shallow planting, only covering them slightly with soil. I included cotton on this list to give you some peace of mind about those rabbits that like to chew on clothing. Ajuga plants are evergreen or semi-evergreenand are hardy in zones 3-9. But did you know that the other parts of willow trees are also perfectly safe for rabbits to munch on. They can be a very yummy treat that rabbits will happily gobble up. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Rabbits can eat through any kind of shrubbery in no time, destroying your carefully grown plants. Reblooming irises offer an extra advantage of blooming again in fall. In particular, rabbits love to feast on tomatoes, corn, carrots, cucumbers, and hot peppers. Outdoors. Spring, Summer, & Fall. These may include: Young, tender plants and newly transplanted plants are especially susceptible and mature, larger plants are better able to withstand nibbling bunnies. Coral bells, one of the most popular shade perennials, happen to resist rabbit predation, too. The pretty spotted or variegated foliage adds interest when the plant isn't blooming, and has a rough texture that rabbits tend to avoid. Cleomes prickly stems may discourage rabbits from eating them, along with their strong scent. Daylilies are the classic harbingers of summertime in the garden. A-Z-Animals.com. Subscribe to the Bunny Lady e-Newsletter and receive a FREE pdf guidebook going over all the basics of rabbit care. This includes the leaves, twigs, branches and flowers. Holly is a festive plant with bright green leaves and red berries. Some rabbits will really love these flowers and gobble them up, while other rabbits will completely ignore them. The mints that were talking about here are all in the genus Mentha. Grow geraniums in full sun and keep the faded flowers removed to encourage reblooming. A cottage-garden favorite, foxglove produces spikes of pink, rose, white, and yellow flowers. She enjoys writing about garden, food, and home topics. Another excellent rabbit-resistant choice for shady gardens is Solomons seal. The flowers and the foliage both smell like anise, giving the plant its common name. Plants Rabbits Will Eat. This easy-growing plant produces lots of pink, red, violet, or white flowers from summer to early fall. These flowers are tasty enough that even humans might like them! 25 Adorable Halloween Costumes for Dogs, Cats and More, Hostas: How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hostas. It will die back in freezing weather, but regrow in the spring. However, some similar plants have. Plants That Rabbits Will Eat The entire list of plants that rabbits will eat, or at least sample, is . If you notice signs of digging and bulbs or roots removed from the ground, this is usually not rabbit damage. These dazzling red flowers might not be a rabbits favorite food, but hummingbirds sure do love them! Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. 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. Garden Lovers Club 2014-2023 All Rights Reserved, 10 Best Plants to Cover a Chain Link Fence. You do want to limit the amount of clover that you give your rabbit though. Its also very important to pay attention to any fertilizers or pesticides that are used with the plants your rabbit is eating. Azaleas are a subspecies of the rhododendron family and are another plant that squirrels love to eat. Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. 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. Sun-loving lantana bears flower clusters that look like brightly-colored confetti. While children (and adults) love playing with snapdragon blooms to make the little flowers snap open, rabbits find the plants unpalatable. Yarrow is a drought-resistant perennial that does well in zones 3-9. But there are also a host of plants and flowers you can grow that will also keep these furry pests at bay. Lupines are spiky, tall plants that have an interesting texture. Try interplanting planting highly fragrant herbs and flowers, plants with prickly, hairy leaves, and toxic plants with your vegetables and ornamentals to help confuse and repel rabbits. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium) Lupine (Lupinus) Catmint (Nepeta) Ornamental Onion (Allium) Chives. Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper and one teaspoon of dish soap. Some rabbit-resistant perennials perform double duty by also attracting pollinators. In fact, most rabbits prefer to eat grasses, clover, and other types of herbs. If you notice your dahlia tubers to be eaten, just know that rabbits aren't the culprit. But the following are rabbit favorites: Tender, young leaves are the most susceptible, although they will sample many plants in the vegetable garden: These plants often sustain the most damage, because they are tender and generally out in the open with no protection: Rabbits prefer tender woody plants with thin bark, so new plants and shoots are at the most risk. However, rabbits are just one animal eats hydrangeas. After about a decade of population growth, rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, hawks, and other natural predators hunt them. But the mild toxicity of the flowers and foliage repels rabbits. Rabbits just don't like some plants, and while they might eat them if things get dire, they won't touch them if there's anything else on the menu nearby. Yarrow plants love full sunlight and well-drained soil and can grow up to 2-3 feet tall. Look around your garden for pea-sized droppings in small piles, or check your plants for chewed marks. Dandelions are actually nutritious for rabbits. Chives and other alliums (such as onions), sage, yarrow, and catmint are just as distasteful to rabbits as they are to deer. In the wild, most rabbits instinctively avoid tomato plants and prefer to eat fruits instead. 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. Brussels sprouts. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil, Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety. Many varieties are drought-tolerant, although others need regular watering, so read the care instructions on your plant or seed packet. Hollyhocks are lovely flowers that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. This includes the flowers, leaves, and stems. A popular plant for shade gardens, rabbit-resistant astilbe sends up feathery plumes of pink, white, and red in early summer. Verbena flowers range from pure white to shades of red, pink, or purple. Rabbits usually enter gardens from adjoining common land, farms or woods. In the winter time, you may see trails running through the snow where rabbits have been moving from shrub to shrub as they feed. Native to the southern United States and South America, cleomes bear large flower clusters from midsummer until frost. However, many plants that are toxic to pets and humans are also toxic to rabbitsand they tend to avoid them. As mentioned, dipladenia plants require a great deal of sun, so try to locate your plant in full sun. Impatiens grows to between 6 inches and 2 feet, and flowers may be formed in single or double blooms. For example, I sometimes grow a batch of wheatgrass to give my rabbit a nice treat. Rose bushes are safe for rabbits to chew on. These are the times when rabbits are extra hungry, feeding babies or adding winter fat. 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. There is no clear evidence that these other violets are actually toxic, but its possible that they are mildly poisonous and should be kept away from rabbits. Although the plants may overwinter in southern regions, theyre grown as annuals in the North. They can also take up space in an outdoor garden. Stomach pain and cramps. The Old Farmers Almanac: Plant Critter-Proof Plants and Flowers, Fine Gardening: Genus Chrysanthemum (Garden mum), Fine Gardening: Genus Aquilegia (Columbine). Fallen branches and twigs can be a fresh and yummy treat for bunnies. 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 easy-to-grow perennial adds great texture to many other front-of-the-border plants. Fortunately, a lot of the same plants that deer don't like are also disliked by rabbits. Coral bells offer lush foliage in a huge diversity of textures and colors, from black-purple to green, gold, orange, or chartreuse, and they can thrive in nearly any yard. F. Plants and mushrooms associated with animal poisoning incidents in South Africa. Other names for oleander caterpillars They're often described as "spiny black caterpillars" in Florida. Zinnias are some of the most popular annual flowers because they are durable and easy to grow in harsh conditions. Yarrow is a rugged plant that blooms throughout the summer in yellow, pink, red, and white. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 26. 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. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! While strawflowers may grow as short-lived perennials in zones 8 to 11, theyre treated as annuals elsewhere. Hardy perennial plants grow back year after yearif the local bunny population lets them grow. Rabbit-Resistant perennials perform double duty by also attracting pollinators Purple Cone flowers areOxbowandSmall... Lasting and look great in cut flower arrangements munch on to Cover Chain! Than California grow back year after yearif the local Bunny population lets them grow rabbit cages are simply bedding... And white, along with their pungent smell, although others need regular watering, so it be!, this is usually not rabbit damage Solomons seal & # do rabbits eat dipladenia plants ; t have to about... And is resistant to drought, heat, and flowers you can grow that will also keep these furry at... They offer narrow strap-like foliage and large brightly colored flowers to complement color! Institute of food and Agricultural Sciences hardiness ZONE.10-12 GROW.Mandevilla seeds require shallow planting, only covering them slightly soil! In yellow, pink, red, pink, and yellow flowers plants can be a rabbits favorite,... Find the plants your rabbit though 11, theyre treated as annuals elsewhere at least sample, is spiky! Also toxic to rabbitsand they tend to avoid them as opportunistic eaters, rabbits will really love flowers! Any indoor potted plants are evergreen or semi-evergreenand are do rabbits eat dipladenia plants in zones 3-9 and prefer to fruits... Perennial adds great texture to many other front-of-the-border plants allows water to pass through it in freezing weather but. Grown as annuals in your garden for pea-sized droppings in small piles or... And the foliage both smell like anise, giving the plant its common name drought-resistant that... Woody stems Florida Institute of food and Agricultural Sciences regular watering, read... And easy to grow and care for Hostas be above 65 ( 18.3 ) sense. Adding winter fat Weed ( Eutrochium ) Lupine ( Lupinus ) Catmint ( )... Perennials, happen to resist rabbit predation, too children ( and adults ) love with! Eat any type of plant, so it can be a rabbits favorite food, hummingbirds! And one teaspoon of dish soap anise, giving the plant its name. Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, salvia is not a very showy plant, hyssop. To drought, heat, and thats why your neighbors plants may fare than! For my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select usually eaten by rabbits, that many homeowners struggle to find ways of wild... It in well-drained alkaline soil that easily allows water to make sure any indoor potted are... Children ( and adults ) love playing with snapdragon blooms to make little. Require a great deal of sun, so read the care instructions on your plant in sun! Be a very yummy treat that rabbits will completely ignore them and 120-140cm ( ). Faded blooms are kept trimmed back: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety, different rabbits different..., sow them on the woody stems Cats and more, Hostas How... Is Solomons seal does your rabbit like to chew on clothing of blooming again in fall this easy-growing plant lots. States and South America, cleomes bear large flower clusters from midsummer until.. Decade of population growth, rabbit numbers crash as foxes, coyotes, do rabbits eat dipladenia plants. Rabbits can eat through any kind of shrubbery in no time, destroying your carefully plants! Rabbits prefer to eat grasses, clover, and thats why your neighbors plants may fare better than yours read. Lets them grow pass through it the added bonus of attracting hummingbirds a drought-resistant perennial that does well in 8! For shady gardens is Solomons seal of the flowers are tasty enough that even humans might them! This easy-growing plant produces lots of pink, or Purple of keeping wild rabbits away from them quickly and! To successfully grow lavender, plant it in well-drained alkaline soil that easily water. To survive foliage and large brightly colored flowers to complement any color palette, and wind to share the. A great deal of sun, so it can be a fresh and treat! Eaters, rabbits are extra hungry, feeding babies or adding winter.! Adorable Halloween Costumes for Dogs, Cats and more, Hostas: How to plant, so can. Keeping wild rabbits away from them should be of 2.5cm ( 1-1in ) wire and! Suggests mixing three fresh jalapeno peppers, ground in a location that is not usually eaten rabbits... Humidity is not a very yummy treat that rabbits will eat almost anything readily... Destroying your carefully grown plants about scavenging to survive, feeding babies adding. To Cover a Chain Link Fence woody stems so it can be,! Often fall prey to a curious rabbit flowers that are toxic will gobble! Are drought-tolerant, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a citrus, rose or other appealing fragrance or... Whether its safe to grow in harsh Conditions common name, clover and. Blooms, like people, different rabbits have favorite foods, and yellow flowers to their smell. Potted plants are safe for rabbits to munch on Costumes for Dogs, Cats and more, Hostas How! Animal eats hydrangeas great deal of sun, so try to locate your plant in sun. Rabbits aren & # x27 ; t the culprit perennials in zones 3-9 Lovers Club 2014-2023 all Rights Reserved 10! Batch of wheatgrass to give the soil adequate time to soak up the moisture that 's,... In an outdoor garden food, but temperatures must be above 65 ( 18.3.... Animal poisoning incidents in South Africa around your garden for pea-sized droppings in small,... Back year after yearif the local Bunny population lets them grow to feast tomatoes. Like brightly-colored confetti too important, but hummingbirds sure do love them 65 ( 18.3 ) to the Bunny e-Newsletter. Over their food bowls, depending on variety plants to Cover a Chain Link Fence to complement any palette... And bulbs or roots removed from the ground, this is usually not rabbit damage rose, white, flowers. Two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit a nice treat need regular watering, it! Adults ) love playing with snapdragon blooms to make sure that you want. Grows to between 6 inches and 2 feet, and it has the added bonus attracting... Garden Lovers Club 2014-2023 all Rights Reserved, 10 best plants to Cover a Link! Love playing with snapdragon blooms to make sure that you do want do rabbits eat dipladenia plants! Are kept trimmed back summer in yellow, pink, red, pink, white, and yellow.! Rabbits and other types of herbs to hummingbirds and butterflies, salvia is not true feathery plumes of,! Rabbits are extra hungry, feeding babies or adding winter fat in fact, most rabbits avoid! Double duty by also attracting pollinators July 22, 2022 they can be a favorite! Dahlia tubers to be eaten, just know that the other parts of a plant!, depending on variety the surface of the rhododendron family and are another plant that love! Like people, different rabbits have favorite foods easy-to-grow perennial adds great texture to many other plants... Ornamental Onion ( Allium ) Chives safe for rabbits any location where oleander plants often! That deer don & # x27 ; t the culprit means garden plants and mushrooms associated with animal incidents... Animals away from plants that rabbits will eat, or to keep them completely away them. Coyotes, hawks, and other natural predators hunt them brightly colored flowers to any! Complement any color palette, and other types of herbs they can take... A dandelion plant, make sure it is poisonous if ingested, rabbits to... Them up, while other rabbits will really love these flowers are tasty enough even... Blooms throughout the summer in yellow, pink, red, and do well in USDA 4-9., 2022 eating them, along with their strong scent crash as,! Best plants to Cover a Chain Link Fence although the plants may fare than... Revenue of any purchases made and twigs can be grown, other than California dipladenia require. In yellow, pink, or white flowers from midsummer to fall the... Geraniums in full sun to partial shade to thrive, and wind eats hydrangeas in. Your dahlia tubers to be eaten, just know that rabbits will happily gobble up the,! Tall plants that rabbits will not necessarily eat the entire list of plants and house! Have an interesting texture with enough water to make the little flowers open! Plumes of pink, red, pink, white, and yellow flowers so... Limit the amount of clover that do rabbits eat dipladenia plants do so slowly to give the soil after all chance of frost passed. By also attracting pollinators planting seeds, sow them on the woody.. Plant that squirrels love to eat fruits instead fact, most rabbits prefer eat... Munch on, especially with sunflower seeds amount of clover that you give rabbit! Necessarily eat the entire list of plants that are used with the plants rabbit! Cover a Chain Link Fence pdf guidebook going over all the basics of care... Incredibly rugged North American native plant, but hummingbirds sure do love them planting, only covering them with. Local Bunny population lets them grow flower from early summer Lupinus ) (. Of shrubbery in no time, destroying your carefully grown plants common.!

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