Tulips are a prized sign of spring, but their tender leaves and colorful blooms are a favorite food source for rabbits. Rabbits cause damage by cleanly nipping off emerging shoots or flower buds, often leaving behind a telltale 45-degree angle cut on the stem. Protecting these bulbs requires a layered defense strategy that combines physical barriers, sensory deterrents, and thoughtful gardening practices.
Exclusion Methods: Using Physical Barriers
Physical barriers offer the most reliable defense, as they completely block access to the plants. For a perimeter fence around a garden bed, the structure needs to be at least 30 inches high to prevent rabbits from jumping over it. The mesh size should be no larger than one inch by one inch to prevent young rabbits from squeezing through.
Rabbits are adept at digging, so the fencing material must be buried at least 6 to 10 inches deep to discourage burrowing underneath the barrier. Bending the buried portion of the wire outward in an “L” shape away from the tulips creates a subterranean apron that stops digging efforts. Galvanized hardware cloth is preferred over chicken wire, as it is more durable and less likely to be chewed through or rust.
For smaller groupings of tulips or container plantings, individual wire cages or cloches can be placed directly over the plants. These temporary covers should be secured firmly to the ground to prevent rabbits from knocking them aside. This method is particularly effective for protecting the first tender shoots as they emerge in early spring, which are the most appealing.
Deterrence Methods: Utilizing Repellents
Repellents work by targeting the rabbit’s senses of smell and taste, making the tulips unappetizing rather than physically inaccessible. Commercial repellents often use active ingredients like putrescent egg solids, which create an offensive taste, or capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. When applied directly to the plant foliage, these contact repellents discourage rabbits from taking a second bite.
Other formulations use strong odors to create an area repellent. These typically contain ingredients such as garlic, mint, or other botanical oils that rabbits find noxious. Regardless of the type, repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after heavy rainfall or overhead watering, as their effectiveness diminishes rapidly when washed off the plant surface.
A successful repellent strategy often involves rotating between different products or active ingredients to prevent rabbits from becoming habituated to a single scent or flavor. If a rabbit learns to tolerate the smell of an egg-based spray, switching to a capsaicin or predator-urine-based product can provide a sensory shock. Gardeners can also employ DIY sprays using a mixture of water, dish soap, and crushed garlic or hot pepper flakes for a temporary, inexpensive solution.
Strategic Planting and Cultural Practices
Companion planting involves placing rabbit-resistant plants near tulips to mask their scent and discourage feeding. Plants like daffodils, ornamental onions (alliums), and fritillaria contain compounds that are toxic or unpalatable to rabbits, offering a natural buffer when intermingled with tulips.
Aromatic herbs, such as lavender and rosemary, or strong-scented annuals like marigolds, can also be planted around the perimeter of a tulip bed. The strong smell of these plants can confuse or deter rabbits looking for the milder scent of tulip foliage. This approach capitalizes on the rabbit’s reliance on its sense of smell to locate food sources.
When planting tulip bulbs in the fall, setting them deeper than the standard recommendation can provide protection against digging pests. Planting bulbs 8 to 10 inches deep, or roughly three times the bulb’s height, makes the bulb harder for animals to find and access. Maintaining a clean garden by removing brush piles and dense debris eliminates the sheltered hiding spots that rabbits prefer, making the area less comfortable for them to frequent.