What Flowers Do Rabbits Eat – Your Complete Guide To Protecting Prized

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping into your garden on a bright morning to see your flowers in full, glorious bloom. But there’s also nothing more disheartening than discovering those same blooms have become a midnight snack for a furry visitor, leaving behind nothing but neatly clipped stems.

I’ve been there, and I know that frustration well. It can feel like a constant battle to protect your hard work from the local rabbit population. But I promise you, it doesn’t have to be a losing fight. Understanding what flowers do rabbits eat is the first, most crucial step toward creating a garden that thrives.

In this complete guide, we’re going to walk through everything together, just like we’re chatting over the garden fence. We’ll uncover which flowers are on the rabbit’s “most wanted” list, learn how to spot the tell-tale signs of their nibbling, and explore a whole toolkit of effective, gardener-tested strategies to protect your precious plants.

Let’s turn that frustration into a plan, and get you back to enjoying the beautiful, peaceful garden you’ve always dreamed of.

Why Rabbits Are So Fond of Our Flower Gardens

Before we dive into the list of their favorite foods, it helps to understand why your garden looks like a five-star restaurant to a rabbit. These creatures aren’t trying to annoy you; they’re simply following their instincts.

Rabbits are herbivores, which means their entire diet is plant-based. They have a strong preference for young, tender, and succulent growth. Think about those fresh, new shoots on your perennials or the soft petals of a newly opened tulip—that’s the equivalent of a gourmet meal for them. Established, woody, or tough-leafed plants are far less appealing.

They are also creatures of habit. Once a rabbit finds a safe, reliable food source (like your unprotected pansy bed), it will return again and again. This is why a single night of damage is often followed by many more if you don’t take action.

The Rabbit Buffet: A Definitive Guide to What Flowers Do Rabbits Eat

Alright, let’s get to the heart of the matter. While a starving rabbit will eat almost anything, they definitely have their favorites. Knowing which plants are most vulnerable is essential for planning your garden defenses. This is the ultimate what flowers do rabbits eat guide to help you identify at-risk blooms.

Tender Annuals They Can’t Resist

Annuals are often soft, full of moisture, and planted in spring when other food sources might be scarce, making them a primary target.

  • Pansies and Violas: These are often at the very top of the list. As one of the earliest flowers to be planted, they provide a much-needed meal for rabbits emerging from a long winter.
  • Petunias: Their soft leaves and abundant flowers are incredibly tempting.
  • Impatiens: A shade garden staple, their succulent stems are a rabbit delicacy.
  • Sunflowers: While mature stalks are too tough, young sunflower seedlings are extremely vulnerable and can be devoured overnight.
  • Zinnias: The bright, cheerful blooms are, unfortunately, also very tasty to rabbits.

Perennial Favorites on the Menu

Many gardeners think perennials are safer, but rabbits have a long list of favorites they’ll happily return to year after year. Here are some of the most common problems with what flowers do rabbits eat among perennials.

  • Hostas: Especially the new shoots (or “pips”) as they emerge in spring. Rabbits will chew them right down to the ground.
  • Daylilies: They love to nip off the tender flower buds just before they open—one of the most frustrating forms of damage!

    • *Coneflowers (Echinacea): While often listed as “resistant,” I’ve seen plenty of coneflowers with their lower leaves and even flowers chewed by persistent rabbits.

  • Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia): A classic garden flower that, sadly, is a common target.
  • Phlox: Both the tall garden phlox and creeping phlox are susceptible to rabbit damage.
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Bulb Flowers: A Springtime Snack

Spring-blooming bulbs are a welcome sight for us, and an even more welcome meal for hungry rabbits. They are a critical part of understanding what flowers do rabbits eat.

  • Tulips: This is perhaps the most famously rabbit-devoured flower. They will eat the foliage, stems, and flowers.
  • Crocuses: As one of the first signs of spring, crocuses are often targeted heavily.
  • Pro Tip: Unlike tulips and crocuses, Daffodils (Narcissus) are toxic to rabbits and other rodents. Planting them around more vulnerable bulbs can sometimes act as a deterrent!

Spotting the Evidence: How to Know a Rabbit Was in Your Garden

Sometimes the culprit isn’t obvious. Was it a rabbit, a deer, or a pesky insect? Knowing the signs of a rabbit visitor is key to choosing the right solution.

Look for these tell-tale clues:

  1. Clean, Angled Cuts: Rabbits have sharp upper and lower incisors that create a clean, 45-degree angled snip on stems. It looks like someone took tiny, sharp scissors to your plants. Deer, on the other hand, lack upper incisors and will tear and rip at plants, leaving a ragged edge.
  2. Low-Level Damage: The damage will be concentrated low to the ground, typically within two feet. If you see damage higher up on a shrub, a deer is a more likely suspect.
  3. Telltale Droppings: Rabbits leave behind small, round, pea-sized droppings in scattered piles. Finding these near the scene of the crime is a dead giveaway.
  4. Neatly Disappeared Seedlings: If your brand-new seedlings vanish without a trace overnight, rabbits are a prime suspect. They can mow down a whole flat of young plants in a single visit.

Protecting Your Blooms: A Gardener’s Toolkit of Rabbit Deterrents

Now for the good part—the action plan! Don’t despair; you have many effective tools at your disposal. Following these what flowers do rabbits eat best practices will give you the upper hand.

Fencing: Your First and Best Line of Defense

When it comes to stopping rabbits, nothing is more reliable than a physical barrier. While it’s an investment of time and money upfront, a proper fence is nearly 100% effective.

  • Material: Use galvanized chicken wire or, even better, a sturdier hardware cloth with a 1-inch or smaller mesh.
  • Height: The fence should be at least 2 feet high to prevent them from jumping over it. For very determined rabbits, 3 feet is even safer.
  • Depth: This is the step many people miss! Rabbits are excellent diggers. You must bury the fence at least 6 inches deep or bend the bottom of the wire into an L-shape facing outward to stop them from tunneling under.

Using Repellents Wisely

Repellents work by making your plants smell or taste bad to rabbits. They can be a great secondary defense or a solution for smaller areas. A good what flowers do rabbits eat care guide always includes repellent strategies.

  • Scent-Based Repellents: These often use ingredients like dried blood, predator urine, or putrescent egg solids. They create a “smell of fear” that warns rabbits away. They are effective but need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain.
  • Taste-Based Repellents: These use ingredients like capsaicin (hot pepper) or other bittering agents. They make the plant taste awful, teaching the rabbit to look elsewhere for food.
  • DIY Tip: A simple homemade spray can be made by mixing a few cloves of crushed garlic and a tablespoon of cayenne pepper in a spray bottle of water. Let it steep for a day, strain it, and spray on your plants. Remember to reapply after it rains!

Companion Planting and Rabbit-Resistant Flowers

One of the most beautiful and eco-friendly what flowers do rabbits eat strategies is to use other plants as protection. This involves surrounding vulnerable flowers with plants that rabbits actively dislike.

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Rabbits navigate by smell, so strong-scented plants can confuse them and mask the aroma of their favorite snacks. Try interplanting these rabbit-resistant varieties:

  • Herbs: Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, and Sage.
  • Flowers: Marigolds (especially strong-scented French varieties), Alliums (ornamental onions), Salvia, and Peonies.
  • Bulbs: As mentioned, Daffodils and Fritillaria are excellent choices.

A Sustainable Approach: Coexisting with Your Furry Neighbors

Sometimes, the goal isn’t total eradication but finding a peaceful balance. Embracing a sustainable what flowers do rabbits eat mindset can reduce stress and create a healthier ecosystem in your backyard.

One popular method is to plant a “sacrificial garden” or a “bunny buffet.” This involves planting a small patch of things rabbits love, like clover, alfalfa, or even a few extra pansies, in a far corner of your yard. The idea is to give them an easy, appealing meal so they leave your prized specimens alone.

You can also make your garden less inviting. Rabbits are prey animals and dislike open spaces. Remove brush piles, trim low-hanging shrubbery, and block access under decks or sheds where they might feel safe to nest. This simple habitat modification can encourage them to move along to a more secure location.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rabbit-Proofing Your Garden

Do rabbits eat rose bushes?

Yes, they absolutely do. Rabbits will chew on the thorny canes, especially the new, tender growth in the spring. They will also happily nip off the leaves and flower buds that they can reach.

Will coffee grounds keep rabbits away?

This is a common garden myth. While the strong smell of coffee grounds might temporarily deter a rabbit, it’s not a reliable or long-term solution. Once they realize it’s harmless, they’ll likely ignore it.

Do marigolds really repel rabbits?

Some varieties can help. The strong, pungent scent of French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) can be a deterrent and is a great companion plant. However, a very hungry or determined rabbit might still browse them, so they work best as part of a larger strategy.

How high can a rabbit jump?

A typical cottontail rabbit can easily jump up to 2 feet high from a standstill. This is why a fence needs to be at least 2 feet tall, with 3 feet being a much safer bet to ensure they can’t clear it.

Your Garden, Your Sanctuary

Dealing with garden pests is a part of every gardener’s journey, but it should never steal your joy. By understanding what flowers do rabbits eat and implementing a few of these protective strategies, you are taking back control.

Remember to start with one or two methods—perhaps a small fence around your most precious flowerbed or a consistent repellent routine. Observe what works for you and your garden. Over time, you’ll develop a system that keeps your blooms safe and allows you to coexist peacefully with your wild neighbors.

Now you have the knowledge and the tools. Go forth, protect your beautiful flowers, and enjoy the sanctuary you’ve worked so hard to create. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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