Gardening Tips: 17 Flora Species That Deter Rabbits from Invading Your Lawn
In the quest to create a flourishing garden, one common challenge is dealing with pesky rabbits. However, by incorporating a carefully selected range of plants known to deter rabbits, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of finding your flowers and vegetables nibbled away. Here's a guide to some rabbit-resistant plants that will help you build the ultimate rabbit-resistant retreat.
Rabbit-Resistant Annuals
Snapdragons, Ageratum, Cleome, Lantana, and Vinca are annuals that are often unpalatable to rabbits due to their scent, texture, or toxicity. These plants can add a splash of colour to your garden and help keep rabbits at bay.
Rabbit-Resistant Perennials and Other Types
Hyssop (blue fortune and black adder varieties), Calamintha, and Blue globe thistle (Echinops) are perennials that are also known to resist rabbits. Their aromatic or fuzzy leaves often act as a deterrent, making them ideal for a rabbit-resistant garden.
Other Rabbit-Proof Plants
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is a favourite among bees and hummingbirds but not rabbits. Its strong minty fragrance and somewhat coarse leaves act as a deterrent. Similarly, English Ivy (Hedera helix) with its dense, tangled foliage creates an inhospitable environment for grazing critters.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is another great addition to your rabbit-resistant garden. Its pungent aroma is generally unappealing to rabbits, and its long-lasting, flat-topped flowers are great for attracting pollinators. Yarrow is drought-tolerant once established and prefers full sun.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is not on the rabbit menu due to its silvery foliage and pungent scent. It adds vertical interest to sunny gardens with its tall, spiky blooms. Russian Sage requires full sun for best growth and should be pruned in early spring to encourage fuller growth.
Caring for Your Rabbit-Resistant Plants
Each plant has its unique care requirements. For instance, Bee Balm requires consistent moist soil and good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. On the other hand, English Ivy prefers dry, well-drained soil and should be pruned aggressively to prevent ivy from overtaking other plants.
Lamb's Ear adds a soft, silvery tone to garden borders and is drought-tolerant; avoid overhead watering to prevent rot. Geraniums are ideal for borders, containers, and as ground covers and grow in full sun to partial shade. They have brightly colored blooms that add charm to the garden.
Columbine requires moderate water needs and prefers well-drained soil. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate sun in cooler climates. Columbine should let some flowers go to seed to encourage natural spreading.
Onions, a tasty crop for gardeners, have a strong aroma that rabbits dislike. They need full sun for optimal growth and should be planted with plenty of space to allow for bulb development. Onions should be watered regularly with well-draining soil. Once established, Russian Sage is drought-tolerant and should be watered sparingly.
By experimenting with a mix of flowers and herbs, you can build the ultimate rabbit-resistant retreat. Remember, while these plants are known to deter rabbits, no plant is completely rabbit-proof if food is scarce or if rabbits are very hungry. Creating a diverse garden with highly aromatic, bitter, or tough plants will help discourage rabbits and protect more tender crops from becoming a snack. Happy gardening!
[1] Gardening Know How. (2021). Rabbit Resistant Annuals. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/rabbit-resistant-annuals.htm
[2] Gardening Know How. (2021). Rabbit Resistant Perennials. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/rabbit-resistant-perennials.htm
[3] The Spruce. (2021). Rabbit-Proof Plants for Your Garden. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/rabbit-resistant-plants-3162204
[4] The Spruce. (2021). Rabbit-Proof Herbs for Your Garden. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/rabbit-resistant-herbs-3162206
- Incorporate finely-selected plants like snapdragons, Ageratum, Cleome, Lantana, Vinca, and other organic herbs to deter rabbits and add color to your garden.
- Consider planting hyssop, Calamintha, and Blue globe thistle, known for their resistance to rabbits, in your garden for their aromatic or fuzzy leaves.
- Bee Balm, with its strong minty fragrance and coarse leaves, serves as a deterrent to rabbits while attracting bees and hummingbirds.
- English Ivy's dense, tangled foliage repels rabbits and creates an unfriendly environment for grazing critters.
- Yarrow, with its pungent aroma and pollinator-friendly flowers, is a suitable addition to your rabbit-resistant garden.
- Russian Sage's silvery foliage and pungent scent offer rabbits no appeal, making it a great choice for sunny gardens.
- Maintaining a diverse garden, filled with highly aromatic, bitter, or tough plants, will help discourage rabbits and protect delicate crops.
- Implementing a combination of flowers, herbs, and vegetables like onions in your organic lifestyle-inspired garden can create a flourishing rabbit-resistant retreat.
- While experimenting with a mix of plants in your home-and-garden, remember to provide each one with unique care, considering factors like water needs, soil preferences, and sunlight requirements.
- In the realm of gardening, travel brings the opportunity to discover new, rabbit-resistant plants and expand your collection, contributing to a more substantial, diverse, and thriving garden.
