Seventeen Vegetation Species That Deter and Prevent Rabbits from Infiltrating Your Garden
Building a Rabbit-Proof Garden: A Guide to Resistant Plants and Care Tips
If you're tired of finding your flowers and vegetables nibbled away by rabbits, it's time to consider creating a rabbit-resistant garden. Here's a list of plants that rabbits typically avoid, along with some care tips to help you build an effective rabbit-proof garden.
Rabbit-Resistant Plants
- Geraniums, especially varieties like 'Rozanne', are known for their strongly scented leaves and fuzzy texture which repel rabbits.
- Sedum ('Autumn Joy') is another option with a texture and taste unfavorable to rabbits, also deterring rodents.
- Astilbe ('Peach Blossom') is a perennial with fuzzy blooms that rabbits dislike.
- Coreopsis ('Berry Chiffon') has a rough texture that makes it rabbit-resistant.
- Phlox Paniculata ('Glamour Girl') is another perennial option that rabbits tend to avoid.
- Marigolds are popular annuals that repel rabbits with their strong scent.
- Snapdragons, Ageratum, Cleome, Lantana, Vinca are other annuals with rabbit-resistant properties due to their scent or taste.
- Daffodils are bulbs that contain compounds toxic to rabbits, deterring them naturally.
- Black-eyed Susans have a coarse texture that discourages rabbit browsing.
- Lavender, Sage, Euphorbia are strongly scented plants that repel rabbits and squirrels.
Care Tips for a Rabbit-Resistant Garden
- Plant in Appropriate Light: Many of these plants thrive in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil (e.g., marigolds, geraniums).
- Soil and Watering: Most perennials like sedum, coreopsis, and astilbe prefer moist but well-drained soil; overwatering should be avoided.
- Use a Mix of Annuals and Perennials: This will help maintain continuous rabbit resistance and garden interest.
- Plant Repellents at Garden Edges or Interspersed Among More Vulnerable Plants: This maximizes protection for your garden.
- Avoid Plants Attractive to Rabbits: Hostas, for example, should be excluded from these gardens.
- For Toxic Plants Like Daffodils, Avoid Planting Where Pets or Children Might Ingest Them.
In addition to these plants, other options include Columbine, English Ivy, Lamb's Ear, Bee Balm, Onions, and Russian Sage. Each plant has specific care requirements, so be sure to research them before planting.
By incorporating these rabbit-resistant plants into your garden and following species-specific care requirements, you can create a healthy, beautiful garden that rabbits will leave alone. Happy gardening!
- To bolster your rabbit-resistant garden, consider adding organic soil to provide a suitable environment for your plants.
- If decorating your garden is a part of your lifestyle, opt for organic herbs like rosemary and thyme, which often appeal to fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts.
- For a concoction of flavor and aesthetic charm, mix vegetables such as lettuce and peas with your herbs and flowers in the same garden bed.
- Attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds by planting flowering herbs and plants like bee balm, catmint, and zinnias.
- Make your home-and-garden more inviting by growing a variety of flowers, such as daisies, sunflowers, and petunias, which can brighten up the outdoor space.
- When it comes time to harvest, enjoy the fresh food-and-drink from your garden, such as salads made from lettuce and carrots, or herbal teas from mint and sage.
- After all the hard work of planting and tending to your garden, take a moment to sit back and appreciate the serenity it brings to your lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden experiences.
