Eating Habits of the Eastern Cottontail in My Garden
Recently, within the past four or five years, rabbits have really moved in to my neighborhood and are eating everything. I thought I’d keep track of the things they didn’t like, as that would make life easier. I attempted to use various types of sprays to keep them away, but nothing really seemed to work, or work for long without constant maintenance. I figured it’s better to just focus on planting things they don’t like, and everyone will be happier. Anyway, this is my personal experience…I can’t vouch for all rabbits, but this is the stuff that the ones in my yard seem to like and dislike. Maybe it will be useful to you, as well.
Stuff they really like
These are plants that rabbits will devour entirely and will go out of their way for.
Clematis: although established clematis will be fine as the leaves will grow above their heads and they don’t seem to care for the woody stems. They’ll eat leaves close to the ground though.
Cilantro
Crocus
Decorative grasses
Grape hyacinth
Morning Glory
Mums
Phlox
Tulip
Pansies
Crabgrass: this one is kind of a benefit. A weed, but one that rabbits absolutely love. I haven’t had a crabgrass issue in my yard since the rabbits moved in.
Stuff they will eat if it’s in their way, but may leave alone if it’s off the beaten path
Hostas: it seems to me that they prefer green hosts varieties to blue ones. They’ll devour young hostas, but may leave large hostas more or less alone. A hosta that is off their trail may be left alone, where one that is in a highly trafficked area might be entirely consumed.
Gladiolus
Stargazer Lilies
Stuff they may eat, but don’t seem to really care for. Mostly safe.
Lavender: not sure about this one. I had a lavender plant that they ate last year, but this year won’t touch
Basil: also not sure. They ate one year, but another wouldn’t touch. I now grow it in a container out of their reach, so I’m not sure
Siberian Iris
Ferns
Shiso
Stuff they won’t touch. This is the good stuff
nb: young or juvenile (or perhaps just adventurous) rabbits will take a taste of just about anything, but these seem to be untouched in my experience
Azalea
Columbine
Daffodil
Ground Elder (variegated)
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Montauk Daisies
Orange Daylily
Oregano
Peonies
Rosemary
Sage
Salvia
Silvermound
Snowdrops
Stonecrop
Thyme