Coreopsis, commonly known as Tickseed, is a popular, cheerful garden perennial cherished for its prolific, bright, daisy-like flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These hardy, sun-loving plants belong to the Asteraceae family and bring vibrant color to borders and containers. Coreopsis is a favorite for many landscapes, but gardeners often worry about common pests, such as rabbits.
Palatability of Coreopsis to Garden Rabbits
Coreopsis is widely classified as a “rabbit-resistant” plant, meaning rabbits usually avoid it when other, more palatable food sources are available. This resistance is not due to toxicity but primarily results from the plant’s texture and taste, which rabbits often find unappealing. The foliage of many Coreopsis varieties is thought to be slightly bitter or tough, making it less desirable than soft, succulent garden vegetables or tender weeds.
Specific Coreopsis species, such as Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis) and Coreopsis grandiflora (Large-flowered Coreopsis), are frequently cited for their reliable resistance to browsing. The fine, needle-like foliage of the threadleaf varieties seems to be a physical deterrent for many herbivores. However, the term “resistant” is not a guarantee of immunity, and rabbit preferences can shift based on local conditions.
Rabbits under environmental stress, such as drought or deep snow cover that limits forage, may resort to eating almost any available plant material, including Coreopsis. The most vulnerable parts of the plant are the new, tender shoots that emerge in spring or young plants that have just been transplanted. When a rabbit is exceptionally stressed or desperate, the general unpalatability of Coreopsis may be overlooked.
Identifying Rabbit Damage on Coreopsis Plants
Recognizing the distinct signs of rabbit feeding helps a gardener determine the correct pest control strategy. Rabbits lack upper incisor teeth, so they cannot cleanly bite or tear foliage like a deer might. Instead, rabbits use their lower incisors to clip vegetation. This results in a very clean, sharp cut, often appearing as if a stem was snipped with shears at a 45-degree angle.
This clean snip is the defining difference compared to deer damage, which typically leaves a ragged, torn, or frayed edge on the remaining plant material. The height of the damage also helps with identification. Rabbits generally browse low to the ground, rarely feeding higher than one or two feet unless standing on their hind legs or on snow. Young Coreopsis plants are particularly susceptible to being cropped down to the ground.
An additional indicator of rabbit activity is the presence of their droppings in the immediate area around the damaged plants. Rabbit scat consists of small, spherical, pea-sized pellets, which are often deposited in groups. Finding these pellets near a plant with clean-cut stems confirms that a rabbit is the culprit, rather than a groundhog or an insect.
Protecting Coreopsis from Rabbit Browsing
Implementing physical barriers is the most effective method for protecting Coreopsis plants from rabbit browsing. Temporary barriers, such as cylinders made of chicken wire or hardware cloth, can be placed around new plantings. These fences should stand at least 18 to 24 inches high to prevent rabbits from jumping over them.
It is necessary to secure the bottom of the barrier to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath. This is accomplished by bending the bottom edge outward into an “L” shape and burying it 4 to 6 inches into the soil. For broad garden areas, commercial or homemade repellents offer a temporary solution, though they require diligent maintenance. Repellents work using taste-aversion ingredients, such as capsaicin (hot pepper), or odor-based deterrents, like putrescent egg solids or garlic.
Repellent substances degrade with sun exposure and wash off quickly with rain or overhead watering, so they must be reapplied frequently to maintain effectiveness. Beyond barriers and sprays, cultural controls focus on making the garden less appealing as a habitat. Rabbits seek shelter in dense cover, so removing tall weeds, brush piles, and debris near garden beds minimizes hiding spots.