Impatiens are a favored annual, offering vibrant color and thriving in shaded areas where other flowering plants struggle. Their popularity makes them a common choice for bedding plants and containers. A frequent concern for gardeners is whether local rabbits view these soft, succulent plants as a food source. This article addresses the consumption of impatiens by rabbits and provides strategies to prevent plant damage.
Do Rabbits Eat Impatiens?
Rabbits absolutely eat impatiens, despite the plant sometimes being listed as “rabbit-resistant.” While impatiens may not be their first choice when preferred forage like clover is available, they are readily consumed. Rabbits are opportunistic herbivores that eat a wide variety of plants, especially when native food sources are scarce, such as during dry spells or early spring.
Young plants and new growth are particularly vulnerable because they are tender and easier to chew. Rabbits typically target the soft stems, leaves, and delicate flower petals. Damage can occur quickly, sometimes with an entire row of annuals disappearing overnight. The tender, low-growing nature of impatiens makes them an easy meal for rabbits feeding near ground level.
How to Identify Rabbit Damage
Accurately determining the animal responsible is necessary before implementing protection measures. Rabbit damage is characterized by clean, sharp cuts on the plant stems and leaves, resulting from their incisor teeth. Stems appear neatly snipped off at an angle, resembling a clean cut.
This differs significantly from damage caused by deer, which lack upper incisors and tend to rip or tear foliage, leaving ragged edges. Rabbit feeding is concentrated near the ground, typically within a foot or two of the soil surface. You may also find small, round fecal pellets scattered near the damaged plants, a sign of a rabbit’s presence. Damage is most likely to appear after feeding activity that occurs primarily during dawn and dusk.
Effective Deterrent Methods
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are the most reliable method for preventing rabbit access to impatiens. A fence constructed from galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth is effective, provided the mesh openings are no larger than one inch. The barrier should stand at least two feet high to prevent rabbits from reaching over it.
To stop rabbits from digging underneath, the fence material must be buried six inches below the soil line. Alternatively, the bottom edge can be bent outward at a 90-degree angle and secured beneath the surface. For individual or newly planted impatiens, temporary cages or cloches made from wire mesh offer immediate, localized protection until the plants are established.
Repellents
Repellents offer another layer of defense, working through taste or scent to make the plants unappealing. Commercial options often contain capsaicin (hot pepper extract) or egg-based ingredients that create a foul taste or odor. Homemade sprays utilizing ingredients like garlic or hot peppers can also be applied to the foliage. Since most repellents are effective only when dry, reapplication is necessary after rain or every few weeks to maintain protective efficacy.
Cultural Practices
Cultural practices also aid in deterrence by making the area less attractive for nesting and shelter. Removing brush piles, tall weeds, and debris from around the garden perimeter eliminates potential hiding spots for rabbits. Keeping the ground clear reduces the sense of security rabbits need to feed comfortably. This combined approach of physical exclusion, repellent use, and habitat modification offers the best chance of protecting your impatiens throughout the growing season.