The flowers, leaves, and stems are all safe for rabbits and completely edible. Rabbits probably dislike ageratum's fuzzy, fringed blooms and the texture of its foliage. Many people believe that hay in rabbit cages are simply for bedding. In contrast, Mandevilla plants are climbing up. Outdoors. Irises. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. Annual plants complete their entire life cycle within a single growing season. This means that they only eat material that comes from plants: things like grasses, seeds, fruits and vegetables. There exist around 30 different species of wild rabbit, and over 300 different domesticated breeds worldwide. The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant to give rabbits, but the other parts including stems and flowers are also safe and edible. To do this chase the rabbit, first fill a one-liter container, such as a jug of milk, with water. (If your summers are hot, grow French marigolds instead for a longer bloom period.) An innate sense of danger often- but not always- steers animals away from plants that are toxic. Yarrow is a rugged plant that blooms throughout the summer in yellow, pink, red, and white. Whether you love the strong aroma of marigold or not, rabbits tend to avoid it. Verbena flowers range from pure white to shades of red, pink, or purple. There are many species of wild rabbit found in the Leporidae family, and virtually all of them will readily feast on garden plants, ranging from herbs and vegetables to shrubs and even the bark of trees. For the adult moth: Wasp moth This includes the flowers, leaves, and stems. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. They come in dozens of size categories, bloom colors, and flower types. 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. 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!). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Ajuga, or Bugleweed plants, are perfect for ground cover, and may be rose, white, or purple. This is likely due to lavenders strong scent and prickly texture. After blooming, its clusters of showy seed pods dry out as they mature and create a unique rattling noise in the breeze. There is an unrelated species called african violets that may be toxic to 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. They feed in nearly any location where oleander plants can be grown, other than California. Holly is a festive plant with bright green leaves and red berries. 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. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control and deter rabbits from overrunning your garden. 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. While rabbits do not like foxglove, it should be planted with caution. These animals are going to ease grass, clovers, dandelions, weeds, and plants. Liriope - Grassy groundcover, evergreen and dense, with spires of purple bobbly flowers. This rabbit-resistant plant tolerates heat and drought well. Pansies are cute, unique flowers that make nice potted plants or garden plants. The flowers come in yellow, orange, cream, white and shades of pink and purple. Fortunately, there are many flowering plants -- annuals, perennials and shrubs -- that rabbits generally avoid. Asters are wildly popular with bees and butterflies. 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). This low-care plant is wonderfully drought resistant, too, so you can plant it and enjoy it without much care. They are herbivores and can make a quick meal of your garden. Fallen branches and twigs can be a fresh and yummy treat for bunnies. Hardy perennial plants grow back year after yearif the local bunny population lets them grow. The chemical can be troublesome for rabbits. The big orange and yellow blooms resemble daisies or chrysanthemums and bloom from about June until frost in cool climates. Periwinkle is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. This rabbit-repelling flower is also drought and heat tolerant. Severe feeding may even kill the plants. Enhance . One of the more refined milkweed species, the plants compact mounding form thrives in pollinator gardens, where it supports migrating monarch butterflies. To avoid putting your bunny's life at risk with Dahlia tubers, provide him with plants that are safe for rabbits to eat. Dipladenia flowers are smaller than mandevilla blooms. Container-grown plants need indirect sunlight in the midday sun to ensure pots don't dry out quickly. We Recommend Rabbit-Resistant Annuals Deer-Resistant Annuals As an associate to Amazon, Small Pet Select, and Chewy.com, I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. Select from the many easy-to-grow daylily varieties available and grow them in a sunny spot. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Mints are all safe for rabbits to eat. If you have cats, plant the catnip in a place where your cats can rub and roll on it without damaging your other plants. Often, native plants are relatively rabbit resistant more so than non-native (exotic) plants. But there are also a host of plants and flowers you can grow that will also keep these furry pests at bay. They do not eat eggs, meat, or dairy - or any animal based products. 27. What Do Rabbits Like to Eat? 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. That does not necessarily mean that you should avoid planting these in your garden. Some have strongly scented leaves or flowers, while others contain distasteful or poisonous substances. The plants that rabbits prefer to eat are grasses, roses, clovers, daisies, dandelions, kale, spinach, broccoli, beans, and lettuce. So, a few things that you will need to know about rabbits and whether or not do they eat kale leaves in the garden are: Do Rabbits Eat Kale in The Garden? Try the plants in borders, rock gardens and mixed beds. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 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. They do eat a huge variety of food types. Yarrow is a drought-resistant perennial that does well in zones 3-9. Allow the tea to cool so you dont risk your rabbit burning their mouth. It thrives in almost any soil condition, but requires full sun to partial shade to thrive. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Bell flowers, also called campanula are safe for rabbits to eat. If your garden has shown excessive rabbit damage in recent years, it might be because the critters are growing in number. Like alfalfa hay, clover is a legume plant. Check the Lower Parts of the Plant: As grazers, rabbits prefer . Just be sure to practice moderation, especially with sunflower seeds. The plants flower from early summer to fall if the faded blooms are kept trimmed back. The leaves can even provide some extra protein for your rabbit. The Old Farmers Almanac: Plant Critter-Proof Plants and Flowers, Fine Gardening: Genus Chrysanthemum (Garden mum), Fine Gardening: Genus Aquilegia (Columbine). But just like most animals, rabbits will eat just about anything if theyre hungry enough! These tend to be either aromatic, thorny, or members of the nightshade family: Rabbits. This easy-to-grow perennial adds great texture to many other front-of-the-border plants. Look around your garden for pea-sized droppings in small piles, or check your plants for chewed marks. Just because a plant is safe for rabbits to eat doesnt mean they should be given unlimited access. Also referred to as coneflower, Echinacea are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8 and bloom all summer long. Both vinca major and minor are often confused with a relative, summer-flowering vinca, or. If you're in doubt about whether or not a particular flower is OK for your pet to eat, the safest choice is to avoid feeding it to your bunny. Both plants produce colorful blooms in red, pink, or white. Lobelia is not only a beautiful plant, but it is also a nutritious food for rabbits. Lupines are spiky, tall plants that have an interesting texture. Dipladenia plant care. Choose from standard or dwarf cultivars in dozens of colors. They need regular watering, but can tolerate short droughts. Otherwise, sunflowers are tough, easy to grow and showy annuals for full sun. That's because, like people, different rabbits have different favorite foods. However, the danger comes with rabbits who dont have a discerning palate. The whole plant is safe for rabbits, including the flower, leaves, stem, and even the seeds. This rugged rabbit-resistant plant blooms through the summer in shades of yellow, pink, red, and white. Some rabbits may enjoy eating zinnias, while others may not be particularly . The foliage and ripe berries are also known to contain a toxin that can affect many animals. It can also encourage your rabbit to eat more of that healthy hay. Although some rabbits may not enjoy eating this bloom, they are still edible and can be eaten if the rabbit is hungry. Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well-drained soil on the drier side. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) blooms in midsummer, bearing tall, 2- to 5-foot spikes of tubular flowers that are speckled inside. Spray your plant with insecticidal soap and recheck it often for signs of mealybugs. 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. For example, I sometimes grow a batch of wheatgrass to give my rabbit a nice treat. Monarda varieties are easy to grow and produce pink, red, violet, or white flowers during summer to early fall. Indoor potted plants can be a particular danger to rabbits. The best part is, since they are perennial plants, they can bloom all year long and over multiple years as long as you take care of them. In the meantime, gardeners need solutions. Some rabbits will really love these flowers and gobble them up, while other rabbits will completely ignore them. Learn more about how you can get quality hay (even ORGANIC hay!) Related:10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard. 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. Rabbits graze a wide range of plants and can kill young trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Salvia splendens is one of the most popular varieties for annual flower beds because it produces loads of large blooms on compact plants. Nasturtiums are tasty flowers for rabbits to snack on. 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. Deer can damage plants 6 feet high, and they tear plants when eating so that the stems and leaves are ragged, not cleanly cut like rabbit damage. Theyre easy to grow but prefer full sun, although they will tolerate light shade, particularly in hot climates. Daylilies are the classic harbingers of summertime in the garden. 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. Rabbits are naturally resistant to mandevilla or dipladenia, so it is unlikely they will try to eat either of them. Its also very important to pay attention to any fertilizers or pesticides that are used with the plants your rabbit is eating. While not incredibly nutritious, daisies can be a yummy treat for your rabbit. How to Get Rid of Rabbits in the Winter. Spider flowers grow tall and fast in sunny gardens. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is a perennial plant that provides a fragrant option to keeping rabbits away. You can also experiment with growing other kinds of grass for your rabbit to enjoy. The foliage is low-growing, and depending on the variety, foxgloves blooms range from pink and red to purple, white and yellow. By Tony Hans Last Updated: July 22, 2022. Spray the product on your bean plants. 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. Plant snapdragons in full to partial sunlight. Dandelions are actually nutritious for rabbits. The pretty spotted or variegated foliage adds interest when the plant isn't blooming, and has a rough texture that rabbits tend to avoid. Verbena is a group of low-growing annuals with a mounding or spreading growth habit that often graces the front of a garden bed, container gardens, or hanging baskets. Its seeds and leaves also contain triterpenoids, which are toxic to rabbits and cause liver and kidney failure as well as gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. But if you still want to include these plants, there are also a few other tricks for making rabbits disappear from your garden. Their diets include grasses, clover and some cruciferous plants, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Periwinkle is an evergreen flowering groundcover,. You might want to check out this list of plants that are poisonous for rabbits before choosing his new snack. Geraniums are thought to deter rabbits with their pungent smell, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a citrus, rose or other appealing fragrance. Brussels sprouts. A wonderful ground cover for sunny spots, lamb's ear is adorned with soft, fuzzy silvery leaves that rabbits tend to avoid. But the good thing is rabbits do not eat the whole plant. I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. It's very hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. 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. While other animals, such as squirrels and woodchucks, do dig up bulbs and roots, this is not the normal feeding habit of rabbits. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. 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. , which needs plenty of sun and blooms until frost. They do have their favorite foods and those they tend to avoid, but when food is scarce, they will eat just about anything. Known as a hardy, drought-resistant perennial, yarrow works well in sun-loving cottage garden settings and in wildflower gardens. Poppies do well in zones 3-9. There are over 40 species of lavender plants which all serve the same purpose. Tough vincas are evergreen groundcovers that bear pretty white or blue flowers in shady areas each spring. Lemon Balm loves full sunlight but will do well in partial shade, and require regular, even watering. The two brands that I use when buying food for my rabbit areOxbowandSmall Pet Select. Visit the. They will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the winter. Barriers and other deterrents can keep rabbits out of the garden. In the wild, most rabbits instinctively avoid tomato plants and prefer to eat fruits instead. Visit the USDA website to determine whether its safe to grow in your region. They do better in rocky or sandy soils than in fertile, rich ground. This may come in handy if you live in an apartment and want to treat your rabbit with some fresh grass. So you want to get a pet rabbit, but youre a little bit afraid of those long front teeth. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario. Avoid planting in wet soils, and while they are drought tolerant, remember to water them during dry periods of summer. Rabbits do not like flowering groundcovers like big periwinkle (Vinca major), which can be planted at the base of planters or along fences. The wood from willow trees is commonly used in toys for rabbits. Look for varieties with bronzy tones infused in the leaves for extra color even after the blooms fade. Butterflies, bees, and a variety of insects are attracted to these showy flowers, which bloom from June to October. As a general rule, plants rabbits dont like include those that have strong scents, spines, prickles, or leathery leaves. Adding fencing can be most effective. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil, Size: 2-6 feet tall, depending on variety. But rabbits have two pairs of both upper and lower incisors, while rodents have only one set. Each flowering shrub reaches a mature height of 24 in., tolerates neutral soil conditions and requires full sun for optimal growth. The plant is good for humans, but if rabbits eat it, it can cause an upset stomach. One cherry tomato fruit flesh is sufficient to satisfy their sweet tooth. Give the plants full sun and excellent drainage. These both have high quality rabbit products and are companies that care about the health of our small animals. However, although there are no guaranteed rabbit proof plants, some plants are less appetizing and more likely to be passed by. Well-draining, loamy, or sandy soil is best and should be kept moist. However, theres hope for your garden! However, there are some instances where rabbits will eat garden plants. Rabbits do eat dianthus plants. Cottontail rabbits eat a wide variety of plant foods including grasses, sedges, sprouts, leaves, fruits, buds, and bark. Plant these easy-care beauties in partial-to-full sun to enjoy the brilliant yellow, golden, or orange flowers from early spring to late fall. The long-lasting blooms are great for those fill-in spots in bouquets. 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. 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Control and deter rabbits with their pungent smell, although gardeners enjoy varieties with a,! Healthy hay shady areas each spring love the strong aroma of marigold or not, rabbits tend be...