Rabbits inflict their most significant damage in fall by chewing on woody plants until they're more vulnerable to cold. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Roses, including petals and rose hips are safe for rabbits to eat. A popular plant for shade gardens, rabbit-resistant astilbe sends up feathery plumes of pink, white, and red in early summer. These flowers are poisonous to rabbits and can cause significant harm to bunnies if consumed. Bok choy. Impatiens plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 11, with some variation depending on the cultivar. Vet Rec Open, vol. Check to be sure there are no ingredients that are unsafe for rabbits before giving any, of course. 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. Youll just want to wash them off a little bit in the sink or shower first to be sure the branches arent harboring any bugs. Her bylines have appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Allrecipes, Martha Stewart Living, and several other publications. An innate sense of danger often but not always steers animals away from plants that are toxic. 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. It can potentially cause digestive issues with rabbits, especially if eaten in large amounts. Lupines are spiky, tall plants that have an interesting texture. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Rabbits will not necessarily eat the Hydrangea, however, they will gnaw and chew on the woody stems. They are members of the Sunflower family, and can grow over 3 feet tall. Barriers and other deterrents can keep rabbits out of the garden. They are herbivores and can make a quick meal of your garden. Most of the time when rabbits have enough safe plants to munch on, theyll ignore other unsafe plants because these dont taste as good. The seeds should germinate within a month or so. This low-care plant is wonderfully drought resistant, too, so you can plant it and enjoy it without much care. Rabbits do not like flowering groundcovers like big periwinkle (Vinca major), which can be planted at the base of planters or along fences. Some rabbit-resistant perennials perform double duty by also attracting pollinators. Otherwise, sunflowers are tough, easy to grow and showy annuals for full sun. Rabbits can eat through any kind of shrubbery in no time, destroying your carefully grown plants. What desert plants do animals eat? But as opportunistic eaters, rabbits will eat almost anything. This means if you have an oleander plant, it's a target for oleander caterpillars. Selecting rabbit resistant plants isnt a sure-fire solution because the critters will eat nearly anything if theyre hungry and food is scarce. This includes the leaves, twigs, branches and flowers. So its better to only give your rabbit clover as the occasional yummy treat. (Rabbits are lagomorphs, not rodents.). Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium) Lupine (Lupinus) Catmint (Nepeta) Ornamental Onion (Allium) Chives. This is likely due to lavenders strong scent and prickly texture. 10/15/19. 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! Other names for oleander caterpillars They're often described as "spiny black caterpillars" in Florida. All house plants should be considered toxic. Some evidence suggests that lavender can even act as a relaxing agent for rabbits, helping them to calm down and chill out. The leaves of this plant look similar to the common mint that is used in cooking, but the two plants are not directly related. But rabbits have two pairs of both upper and lower incisors, while rodents have only one set. Use these low-growing, low-maintenance plants as an edging for walkways, beds and borders. If your lawn erupts with dandelions every year, go ahead and pick some to give to your rabbit (as long as your lawn uses safe fertilizers!). Known as a hardy, drought-resistant perennial, yarrow works well in sun-loving cottage garden settings and in wildflower gardens. It thrives in almost any soil condition, but requires full sun to partial shade to thrive. Water once every 8 days and feed once in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. Rabbits are naturally resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so it is unlikely they will try to eat either of them. Ate one quarter Nicotiana but not destroyed. The prickly pear cactus, a juicy food for insects, birds and mammals. Of course, this doesnt include mint flavored candies or gum, but the plants are all safe for rabbits to eat. Not because it's one of those plants that rabbits won't eat, though that helps, but because it isn't fussy and it has endless uses. But its still good to know that if your rabbit knocks over the pot and starts munching, there is no harm done (at least not to your rabbit). Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The genus Chrysanthemum, also referred to as garden mums, consists of a large group of plants prized by home gardeners for their impressive disc and ray flowers. Pansies are cute, unique flowers that make nice potted plants or garden plants. Irises. They are high in fat and can cause digestive problems if given in high amounts. 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 offer them fresh or even dried. Rabbits dine out all year. Monarda varieties are easy to grow and produce pink, red, violet, or white flowers during summer to early fall. Both plants produce colorful blooms in red, pink, or white. Geraniums are thought to deter rabbits with their pungent smell, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a citrus, rose or other appealing fragrance. 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! Each flowering shrub reaches a mature height of 24 in., tolerates neutral soil conditions and requires full sun for optimal growth. They grow best in full sun, where they produce loads of colorful blooms in white, pink, red, and purple shades. Unfortunately, these plants will not deter them completely. While there are some exceptions, most plants that are toxic for rabbits are only mildly poisonous. If . 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. Holly loves full sun and moist soil. You can give lavender to your rabbit fresh or even dried, allowing your rabbit to forage for the yummy pieces of lavender. The clusters of blooms look wonderful in flower arrangements. These cute little creatures reach nuisance levels every few years in some areas because of the cyclical nature of their reproduction. 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. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Simply spread the mixture in with your rabbits hay to give them some yummy pieces to find. 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. In contrast, Mandevilla plants are climbing up. This interesting bulb offers a wide variety of flower colors, forms, and sizes. When rabbits only have limited access to plants, their natural curiosity can take over causing the rabbit to nibble on whatever is available. (If your summers are hot, grow French marigolds instead for a longer bloom period.) Few are safe, and it's far better to consider them all dangerous and not to allow your rabbits to eat any of them. (90-120 cm) Hardiness: These are really beautiful flowers, coming in vibrant warm colors. Sign up for our newsletter. Not sure if you have rabbits? Rose petals can actually be a very yummy treat for many rabbits. Spider flowers grow tall and fast in sunny gardens. Well-draining, loamy, or sandy soil is best and should be kept moist. More could wreak havoc on their . While the list of plants rabbits generally don't eat is fairly large, even these cannot be said to be truly rabbit-proof since under tough conditions where other food sources are slim, rabbits have been known to eat these, too. The blooms typically appear in shades of violet and white and can easily be preserved as a dried flower for use in sachets and other craft projects. It would be nice if there were plants that are truly rabbit-proof, but as with other animals, rabbits can surprise you. The teeth marks are often evident in the wood of the shrub or tree. Rio Dipladenia plants require 2 inches (5 cm) of water every few days, at least 4 . To do this chase the rabbit, first fill a one-liter container, such as a jug of milk, with water. Check the Lower Parts of the Plant: As grazers, rabbits prefer . If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control them from overrunning your garden. By Tony Hans Last Updated: July 22, 2022. Visit our online store for unique gardening products! Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil, Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety. All salvia varieties attract hummingbirds and most types are rabbit resistant. Rabbits may not like bee balm, but hummingbirds sure do. Rose bushes are safe for rabbits to chew on. Enhance . They do have their favorite foods and those they tend to avoid, but when food is scarce, they will eat just about anything. 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. 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. Your rabbit can eat celery. Remember this: Do not dare to give carnations to rabbits because it is undoubtedly not good for their health. 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. While the list of plants rabbits generally don't eat is fairly large, even these cannot be said to be truly rabbit-proof since under tough conditions where other food sources are slim, rabbits have been known to eat these, too. What Do Rabbits Eat? It is possible that rabbits will come and eat these plants if they are . A wonderful ground cover for sunny spots, lamb's ear is adorned with soft, fuzzy silvery leaves that rabbits tend to avoid. Wild rabbits eat a lot of different things, including wildflowers, grasses, vegetable plants, and weeds. 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. 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