Rabbits can quickly turn a lush landscape into a frustrating buffet, often grazing on new shoots and soft foliage. Utilizing specific ornamental flowers as a natural deterrent offers a sustainable and visually pleasing strategy to protect more vulnerable plants by incorporating species that rabbits instinctively avoid.
Ornamental Flowers Rabbits Avoid
Many popular garden flowers are naturally avoided by rabbits, offering attractive alternatives to susceptible plants. The common Marigold, an annual flower, is cited for its strong, pungent scent, which rabbits find distasteful. Similarly, annual Geraniums (Pelargonium species) possess a strong odor and a slightly bitter taste that discourages grazing.
Many perennial flowers possess rabbit-resistant qualities, making them safe choices for long-term landscaping. Foxglove (Digitalis spp.), a tall, striking perennial, is rarely bothered by rabbits due to its inherent toxicity. The Peony is generally left alone, likely because its foliage is tough and its sap is mildly toxic.
Other reliable perennials include the Siberian Iris, which has tough, sword-like foliage, and ornamental Alliums, bulbs that emit a strong onion-like sulfurous compound. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum), often grown as annuals, are bypassed by rabbits once they mature past the delicate seedling stage. These plants provide a wide palette of colors and forms while remaining low on the rabbit’s preferred food list.
Why Rabbits Avoid Certain Plants
Rabbits bypass certain plants due to survival instincts, guiding them away from potential harm or unpalatable food. One major deterrent is the presence of toxic compounds, such as alkaloids or cardiac glycosides, which are chemical defense mechanisms. These substances, like those found in Foxglove or Daffodil bulbs, can cause gastrointestinal distress, leading rabbits to learn avoidance quickly.
Another factor is a strong, unpleasant scent, often derived from volatile essential oils within the leaves and stems. Plants like Marigolds and Lavender emit potent aromas that can mask the scent of more desirable plants, making the area less appealing for foraging. Rabbits rely heavily on their sense of smell to identify food, and these powerful odors serve as a natural repellent.
Physical texture also deters rabbits from feeding on specific foliage. Plants with fuzzy, hairy, prickly, or tough leaves, such as Lamb’s Ears or mature Snapdragons, are physically unpleasant to chew. This rough texture makes the effort of consumption greater than the nutritional reward, causing rabbits to seek smoother, more tender vegetation elsewhere.
Strategic Placement for Maximum Deterrence
The effectiveness of deterrent flowers increases when they are planted using strategic placement rather than scattered randomly. One effective method is perimeter planting, which involves creating a dense border of rabbit-resistant flowers around a bed of more vulnerable plants. This creates a protective barrier that forces the animal to enter the garden through an unpleasant-tasting or strong-smelling obstacle.
Companion planting, the practice of interspersing deterrents among favored plants, helps to confuse and discourage grazing. Mixing flowers with strong scents, such as Marigolds or herbs like Rosemary, between rows of leafy greens can mask the appealing aroma of the target crop. This technique disrupts the rabbit’s ability to locate its preferred food source easily.
Planting deterrent species in concentrated groups rather than as single specimens amplifies both the scent and texture barriers. A mass planting increases the density of the unpleasant qualities, making it less likely that a rabbit will attempt to breach the planting. This focused approach establishes a distinct zone of resistance, maximizing the protective qualities of the chosen flowers.