Gardening brings the joy of nurturing plants, but that pleasure can quickly turn to frustration when a garden is suddenly grazed down to the stem. The common culprit for this damage is the rabbit, whose diet unfortunately includes many prized ornamental plants. Understanding the rabbit’s dietary motivations is the first step toward effective garden protection. This knowledge helps gardeners select plants and implement barriers to co-exist with local wildlife.
Understanding the Rabbit’s Foraging Diet
Rabbits are classified as lagomorphs, not rodents, and possess a unique digestive system that necessitates a diet extremely high in fiber. Their constant need to chew is directly linked to their dental anatomy, as their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. Wild rabbits spend a large portion of their day foraging, primarily consuming grasses, hay, and leafy weeds which naturally grind down their teeth and maintain gut health.
Foraging is a constant, instinctual behavior for these animals, who must consume large volumes of plant matter to meet their nutritional needs. Flowers are often eaten as an opportunistic and nutrient-rich supplement, offering a seasonal source of moisture, vitamins, and variety compared to dry grasses. Rabbits readily browse on garden plants when their preferred natural food sources become scarce. This is especially true during dry seasons or early spring when new garden growth is tender.
Specific Flowers: Preferred, Avoided, and Toxic Varieties
When a rabbit enters a garden, it seeks out plants that are tender, high in moisture, and palatable. Highly attractive flowers frequently targeted by rabbits include spring bulbs like tulips and crocus, which are often chewed down to the ground. Other favorites that lack natural defenses are petunias, pansies, impatiens, cosmos, and the new growth of perennial hosta plants. These preferred plants are easy to digest and offer a quick meal.
Rabbits tend to avoid plants that possess natural defenses, such as strong aromas, bitter tastes, or fuzzy/tough textures. Many common herbs and perennials fall into this category, including lavender, Russian sage, and yarrow. Flowers with a strong, pungent odor, such as the ornamental onion (Allium spp.) and marigolds (Tagetes), are also avoided. Gardeners can use these less-palatable varieties, which often contain volatile oils or unappealing sap, to their advantage.
Certain garden plants contain compounds that are toxic to rabbits, making them naturally avoided. Common poisonous varieties include foxglove, daffodils, hyacinths, and lily of the valley, which all contain various toxic alkaloids. Other dangerous plants include morning glory and the leaves of rhubarb. While these plants may deter feeding, their presence does not guarantee protection for adjacent vulnerable plants.
Protecting Flower Beds from Rabbit Foraging
The most effective method for excluding rabbits from flower beds is the installation of a physical barrier. Fencing should be made of sturdy, galvanized wire mesh, ideally with openings no larger than one inch. To prevent rabbits from jumping over, the fence must stand at least two feet tall, though three feet is recommended.
The bottom edge of the wire mesh needs to be secured to prevent burrowing. This can be achieved by burying the bottom six inches of the fence vertically into the soil. Alternatively, the bottom edge can be bent outward into an “L” shape and pinned flat to the ground for six to twelve inches. Regular inspection of the barrier is necessary to ensure its integrity is maintained.
Cultural practices and chemical deterrents offer secondary layers of protection. Removing nearby brush piles and overgrown areas eliminates potential rabbit nesting sites, reducing their presence. Repellents work by creating an unpleasant smell or taste and are often formulated with putrescent whole-egg solids or capsaicin. These products require frequent reapplication, especially after rain or when new plant growth emerges, as the deterrent effect diminishes quickly.