Gardens and Rabbits: A Relationship Forever

A partial list of rabbit resistant plants.

Nepeta x 'Walker's Low'
Item # 71292 		Nepeta 'Walker's Low'
'Walker's Low' Catmint

each $5.29
3 to 6 $4.99
7 or more $4.79
Caryopteris clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Item # 30715 		Caryopteris clandonensis 'Dark Knight'
Blue Mist Spirea

each $8.29
3 or more $7.99
Agastache cana
Item # 11820 		Agastache cana
Texas Hummingbird Mint

each $7.99
3 to 6 $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Digitalis purpurea v. mariana
Item # 43341 		Digitalis purpurea v. mariana
Perennial Purple Foxglove

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59
  • Topic: Pests
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: Rabbit Resistant Plants, rabbits, resist, plants that resist rabbits, how to keep rabbits out of the garden
  • Date: August 2007

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My neighbor, who doesn’t garden, has taken to naming the cute little bunnies that run around his place. And there seems to be a lot of them as summer comes to a close. So far they haven’t nibbled at my place, but I suspect it’s just a matter of time. And since I’m getting ready to do some fall planting, it only makes sense to use plants these critters don’t like.

Following is a partial list of plants that rabbits usually stay away from. I say usually because it all depends. If they’re hungry, they’ll eat just about anything.

Rabbit Resistant Plants

  • Achillea (Yarrow)
  • Agastache (Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint)
  • Agastache cana (Texas Hummingbird Mint)
  • Aquilegia (Columbine)
  • Cacti
  • Caryopteris (Blue Mist Spirea)
  • Chrysothamnus (Chamisa)
  • Digitalis (Foxglove)
  • Erodium (Stork’s Bill)
  • Lavandula (Lavender)
  • Mahonia fendleri (Mahonia)
  • Narcissus (Daffodils)
  • Nepeta (Catmint)
  • Origanum (Oregano)
  • Penstemons
  • Peony
  • Rosmarinus (Rosemary)
  • Salvia
  • Sedum (Stone Crop)
  • Other succulents
  • Thymus (Thyme)
  • Kniphofia uvaria (Red-Hot Poker)
  • Yucca
  • Zinnia grandiflora

Try Planting for the Rabbits, Too

A new line of thinking these days is to install a perimeter around a garden with plants that rabbits like. The idea is to give preferred food so they’ll leave the rest of the garden alone.

Food Rabbits Like

To plant for rabbits consider the following goodies:

  • parsley
  • mint
  • oregano
  • kale
  • comfrey
  • cauliflower
  • borage
  • basil
  • and don’t forget the carrots.
  • Clover and plantain are other rabbit favorites.

If you find other ways to keep rabbits from your garden, let us know!