Verbena is a widespread flowering plant genus, often cultivated in gardens for its long blooming season and vibrant colors. While many rabbit species generally avoid Verbena, consumption can occur under specific environmental conditions. This general avoidance stems from the plant’s natural defenses. Understanding this behavior helps gardeners and pet owners manage the interaction between rabbits and their landscape.
Verbena Toxicity and Palatability
Common garden varieties of Verbena (Verbena x hybrida) are not classified as highly toxic to rabbits. However, the plant should not be a regular part of a rabbit’s diet. Ingestion of large quantities of any non-hay material can lead to severe digestive upset due to insufficient fiber. This may result in gastrointestinal stasis, a dangerous slowdown of the digestive system, or soft, unformed droppings known as uneaten cecotropes.
The plant’s natural bitterness results from its chemical composition, which includes compounds like iridoid glucosides and triterpenoids. These compounds give the foliage a strong, unappealing flavor and scent that often discourages grazing rabbits. Consequently, Verbena is frequently listed among “rabbit-resistant” plants because wild rabbits will choose more palatable food sources.
Factors Influencing Rabbit Consumption
Rabbits often consume Verbena when factors override the plant’s natural deterrent qualities. The most significant variable is environmental stress, especially when preferred food sources are scarce due to drought, overpopulation, or a harsh winter. A rabbit facing starvation will eat plants it would normally ignore.
The maturity of the plant also plays a role in its palatability to herbivores. Young, tender shoots and new growth on Verbena are typically less concentrated with bitter chemical compounds than the mature, woody stems and leaves. This makes the newly emerging growth in the spring or after a trim particularly susceptible to being nibbled. Furthermore, some specific garden cultivars, such as those bred for pink colors, have been observed to be more attractive to rabbits than traditional purple varieties.
Practical Methods for Deterring Rabbits
For gardeners experiencing rabbit damage to their Verbena, a multi-pronged strategy focusing on exclusion and taste/scent deterrence is most effective. Physical barriers offer the most reliable protection, with a fence at least four feet high being necessary to prevent jumping. To stop burrowing, the bottom of the fence should be buried at least ten inches into the ground and angled outward at a 90-degree angle.
Cultural controls reduce the presence of rabbits by making the garden less appealing as a habitat. Removing overgrown brush, dense weeds, and debris eliminates the sheltered hiding spots rabbits rely on for safety. Commercial and homemade repellents work by targeting the rabbit’s acute senses of taste and smell. These repellents must be reapplied regularly, especially after rain, to maintain their effectiveness against offensive foliage.