Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are popular garden annuals and short-lived perennials known for their vibrant colors and ability to bloom across multiple seasons. They are often among the first flowers planted each spring, signifying the end of winter. This early blooming frequently brings gardeners into conflict with local wildlife, particularly rabbits. This article explores the biological attraction of pansies, offers practical strategies for garden protection, and clarifies any associated health concerns for the rabbits themselves.
The Rabbit’s View: Pansy Palatability
The direct answer to whether rabbits like pansies is yes; the plant is frequently considered a delicacy by both wild and domestic rabbits. Pansies are readily consumed, and their attraction is largely driven by their texture and composition.
Rabbits are fond of the soft, tender qualities found in the flowers and new leaves. The plant parts are succulent, meaning they have a high moisture content, which makes them an appealing food source, especially in drier conditions or early spring when other options are less abundant. Rabbits often graze on pansies, leaving behind a clean, angled cut on the stem. These foraging habits can quickly decimate a new planting, requiring active protection in the garden.
Protecting Your Pansies from Foraging
Protecting pansies from foraging rabbits requires a layered approach focusing on exclusion, deterrence, and habitat management. Fencing is the most effective method for long-term protection, creating a physical barrier the animals cannot breach. The barrier must be at least two to three feet high to prevent rabbits from jumping over it.
A small mesh size, such as one-inch chicken wire or quarter-inch hardware cloth, is necessary to prevent them from squeezing through. To stop rabbits from burrowing, the wire should be buried at least six inches deep. Ideally, the bottom edge should be bent outward in an L-shape; this underground flange prevents the rabbit from digging against the fence line.
Repellents offer a secondary line of defense by making the plants taste or smell unpleasant. Taste-based repellents, often containing substances like thiram, are generally more effective than odor-based products. Repellents require frequent reapplication, especially after rain or when new plant growth emerges.
Gardeners can also make their yards less appealing by removing nearby areas where rabbits hide from predators. Eliminating brush piles, tall grass, or blocking access beneath sheds and decks removes the safe cover rabbits need while feeding. This habitat modification encourages rabbits to forage elsewhere.
Safety and Toxicity for Rabbits
Pansies are generally regarded as non-toxic to rabbits. They are considered safe enough that they can occasionally be included in the diet of a pet rabbit, provided they are not a substitute for high-fiber hay. This makes pansies a safer target for nibbling than many other common garden ornamentals.
However, consuming any garden plant in large quantities can lead to digestive issues. If a rabbit consumes a massive amount of pansies, it may experience mild digestive distress, diarrhea, or potentially GI stasis due to the sudden volume of non-hay material. A greater risk is the presence of garden chemicals, as pansies purchased from a nursery or grown in a treated garden may carry residues of pesticides or fungicides. These chemical residues pose a far greater health risk to the rabbit than the plant itself, making it important to ensure any consumed plant is free of treatments.