Bunnies are cute. Rabbits using your garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet are not. There are many methods for keeping rabbits at bay but selecting plants that are less likely to be on the menu can make your chances for success even greater. Bear in mind that no plant is totally rabbit proof. Like deer, rabbits are notoriously unpredictable eaters. If you spend any amount of time researching the subject, it seems as if no two gardeners have the same experience concerning what was eaten and what wasn’t, so we’ve compiled a list of plants that we believe are least likely to be devoured.
A GOOD TIP: In general, plants with “hairy”, fuzzy, or spiky leaves will deter animals. Silver leaves aren’t a favorite either.
Although this list is focused on rabbits, some plants are less palatable to both deer and rabbits so we’ve noted that with a D.
Trees & Shrubs
Azalea
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) D
Caryopteris (Blue Mist Shrub)
Cornus (Dogwood)
Hydrangea
Hypericum (St. John’s Wort)
Ilex (Holly)
Kalmia (Mountain Laurel)
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Philadelphus (Mock Orange)
Prunus (Cherry)
Rhododendron
Sambucus (Elderberry)
Viburnum
Weigela
Yucca D
Evergreens
Fir
Japanese Maple
Juniper
Spruce
Perennials
Achillea (Yarrow) D
Aconitum D
Agastache (Hyssop)
Ajuga
Allium D
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Artemesia D
Asarum (Ginger)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Astilbe D
Baptisia (False Indigo)
Carex
Cerastium (Snow-in-Summer)D
Cimicifuga D
Convallaria (Lily of the Valley)
Corydalis
Crocosmia
Delphinium (Larkspur) D
Digitalis (Foxglove) D
Echinops (Globe Thistle)
Epimedium D
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Euphorbia D
Ferns (except Maidenhair) D
Gaillardia
Geranium (Cranesbill) D
Helianthus (Sunflower) D
Hellebore D
Hemerocallis (Daylily)
Iberis (Candytuft)
Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Lavendula (Lavender) D
Monarda (Bee balm)
Myosotis (Forget-Me-Not)
Nepeta (Catmint) D
Pachysandra
Papaver (Poppy)
Peony (Herbaceous)
Perovskia (Russian Sage) D
Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Platycodon (Balloon Flower)
Pulmonaria (Lungwort) D
Salvia (Sage spp.) D
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Sedum
Siberian Iris D
Stachys (Lamb’s Ear) D
Veronica (Speedwell)
Vinca D
Annuals
Ageratum D
Alyssum D
Angelonia
Canna
Cleome D
Dahlia D
Lantana
Marigold D
Snapdragon D
Wax Begonia D
Herbs
Basil
Chives
Mint D
Oregano
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
Vegetables
Cucumbers
Leeks
Onions
Peppers
Rhubarb
Squash
Tomatoes
Bulbs
Daffodils (Narcissus hybrids) D
Fritillaria
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)