Liatris (Blazing Star or Gayfeather) is a popular perennial valued by gardeners for its striking purple flower spikes and ability to attract pollinators. As a native prairie plant, it offers reliable color and texture, making it a favorite addition to many landscapes. Gardeners frequently worry about protecting new plantings from common garden pests, especially rabbits, who can quickly decimate tender foliage. Whether this plant is truly rabbit-resistant, or merely avoided, determines the level of protection required. This article examines the characteristics of Liatris that influence rabbit foraging and offers strategies for protection if damage occurs.
The Palatability and Toxicity of Liatris
Liatris is often classified as a rabbit-resistant plant, but this designation does not mean it is rabbit-proof, as many herbivores will consume nearly any plant under duress. The general avoidance is attributed to the plant’s texture and chemistry, which make it unappealing compared to other garden forage. Once the plant matures, the narrow, grass-like leaves and stems develop a notably coarse texture, which is less palatable to rabbits than soft, tender growth.
The primary defense mechanism is the presence of plant secondary metabolic compounds, which function as feeding deterrents. These chemical compounds, which can include terpenoids or alkaloids, often impart a bitter taste to the foliage. While Liatris is not typically listed as highly toxic to pets or humans, these compounds signal to a rabbit that the plant is not a desirable food source. This chemical defense encourages rabbits to seek out more nutritious and less bitter alternatives in the landscape.
Despite these defenses, rabbits, particularly young ones, will sample almost any new plant, and consumption is most common when other food sources are scarce. In situations of extreme local population density or drought, even mature Liatris may be browsed. New shoots emerging in the spring are particularly vulnerable because they have not yet developed the full concentration of chemical deterrents or the tough, fibrous structure of mature foliage. Several sources note that Liatris species, as members of the Aster family, are sometimes preferred by rabbits, meaning the resistance is highly situational.
Identifying Rabbit Damage in the Garden
Correctly identifying the animal responsible for plant damage is the first step in effective mitigation. Rabbit feeding damage is characterized by a clean, sharp cut on the stems or leaves, typically near the ground. Rabbits possess sharp incisor teeth that allow them to clip vegetation at a precise, often angled, point just inches above the soil line.
Damage from rabbits focuses on low-growing foliage and young, tender shoots, as they operate at ground level. If a Liatris plant is clipped down to a short stub, a rabbit was highly likely the culprit. This pattern contrasts sharply with that of deer. Deer lack upper incisors, leaving behind a ragged, torn, or ripped appearance on the browsed foliage, and they feed at a higher level, typically leaving damage between one and six feet off the ground.
Another potential culprit is the vole or gopher, but their damage is distinct, focusing on the plant’s root system. These rodents feed underground, sometimes consuming the Liatris corm (the bulb-like root structure). This results in the entire plant disappearing or wilting without any visible above-ground browsing. If the stems are neatly cut and the damage is concentrated on the lower plant parts, the gardener can be confident that the problem is a rabbit.
Effective Methods for Protecting Liatris Plants
For gardeners experiencing persistent rabbit damage, especially on young Liatris plants, exclusion techniques are the most reliable form of protection. Physical barriers prevent rabbits from accessing the plant entirely, eliminating the risk of browsing. A sturdy enclosure made of chicken wire or hardware cloth should be placed around individual plants or a small bed.
To be effective, the barrier must be at least two feet high to prevent rabbits from simply reaching over it. The bottom edge should be secured or buried a few inches into the soil. Burying the wire prevents rabbits from digging underneath the fence to reach the tender plants. This level of protection is particularly recommended for newly planted Liatris corms or seedlings during their first season when they are most vulnerable.
Repellents offer a secondary defense that can discourage feeding, working through taste or scent. Taste-based repellents, often containing ingredients like putrescent egg solids, make the foliage unappetizing to the rabbit. Scent-based products use strong odors, such as animal by-products or concentrated spices, to deter the animal from the area. The effectiveness of all repellents is temporary, and they must be reapplied frequently, especially after rainfall or new plant growth. Habitat modification can also help by clearing nearby brush piles or tall weeds, which rabbits use for cover and nesting.