The interaction between wild rabbits and the popular groundcover Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is a frequent concern for gardeners. Vinca minor and Vinca major are widely used for their evergreen foliage and dense, spreading habit. Understanding the natural feeding behavior of rabbits and the specific qualities of the periwinkle plant provides a clear answer to whether this groundcover is a preferred food source.
Are Vinca Plants Palatable to Rabbits?
Rabbits generally avoid consuming Vinca plants, making them a common feature on lists of rabbit-resistant garden flora. The evergreen leaves of species like Vinca minor are often described as leathery, and the stems are tough and stringy, textures that deter rabbits. Unlike soft, tender grasses or young vegetable shoots, the mature periwinkle foliage lacks the appeal and ease of digestion rabbits seek.
The plant’s internal composition also contributes to its low palatability. Vinca species contain a sap that signals to the rabbit that the plant is not a high-value food source. Rabbits are selective foragers, preferring highly nutritious and easily obtainable items such as clover, alfalfa, and young annuals. They only resort to browsing tougher plants like periwinkle when primary food sources are scarce, such as during drought or heavy snow cover.
If rabbits consume Vinca, they usually sample the newest, most tender growth, often out of curiosity or desperation. This occasional nibbling contrasts sharply with how rabbits devour preferred plants, where entire stalks are clipped cleanly down to the ground. The lack of damage to established periwinkle beds demonstrates that the plant is low on the rabbit menu, allowing it to serve as an effective groundcover in areas with moderate rabbit activity.
The Toxicity Factor of Vinca
The Vinca genus contains chemical compounds that contribute to its avoidance by grazing animals. The plant contains various toxic alkaloids, which serve as a natural defense mechanism. These compounds make the plant inherently unappealing and potentially harmful if consumed in substantial quantities.
If a rabbit were to ingest a large amount of the foliage, the concentration of these alkaloids could lead to signs of mild poisoning or significant gastrointestinal upset. Potential effects include digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, or general discomfort. However, severe poisoning in the wild or garden setting is rare because the rabbit’s natural instincts guide it away from consuming enough to cause serious harm.
Rabbits are adept at self-regulating their foraging behavior, often taking only a small test bite of a new plant before moving on if the taste is bitter or the texture is unpleasant. This adaptive mechanism means that while Vinca is chemically toxic, the risk of fatal poisoning to wild rabbits is low due to their selective feeding habits. The toxicity acts as an effective deterrent, reinforcing the plant’s reputation as a critter-resistant groundcover.
Strategies for Protecting Groundcover from Rabbits
While Vinca is generally avoided, proactive measures are still beneficial to ensure its protection, especially when plants are newly established or during times of food scarcity. One of the most reliable methods is the installation of a physical barrier, such as low-profile chicken wire or mesh fencing. A fence that is approximately two feet high, with the bottom edge buried a few inches into the soil, can effectively block access to the groundcover area.
Cultural controls, which involve managing the surrounding landscape, can also significantly reduce grazing pressure. Rabbits are drawn to areas that provide both food and shelter, so keeping nearby weeds, brush piles, and tall grasses trimmed removes their preferred hiding spots. Planting decoy food, such as a patch of clover or another rabbit favorite strategically placed away from the Vinca, can also distract hungry animals.
Non-toxic deterrents offer another layer of defense by appealing to the rabbit’s strong sense of smell and taste. Commercially available taste and scent repellents, often containing ingredients like dried bovine blood, sulfur, or capsaicin, can be sprayed directly onto the foliage to make it unappetizing. Additionally, planting herbs with pungent odors, such as mint, rosemary, or lavender, along the perimeter of the Vinca bed can help mask the plant’s scent and discourage rabbits from entering the area.