Rabbit-Resistant Flowering Perennials

Spring

• Rabbit-resistant perennials for the spring garden include crocus, narcissus, grape hyacinth, iris, columbine and peony. Rabbits love eating the first shoots that emerge in the spring, so even though these plants are rabbit resistant, it is important to remember that rabbits may still nibble on them, especially if the winter was exceptionally severe. Peonies are the tallest plants in this group so do plant them towards the back of the border and line the outside of their support cages with chicken wire to further prevent rabbits from damaging them.

Summer

• Yarrow, foxglove, hosta, Oriental poppy and daylily are suitable rabbit-resistant perennials for the summer garden. Yarrow is a fast spreader that tolerates drought. Some varieties have a tendency to flop over, so using plant supports is a good idea, although lining them with chicken wire is not since this plant quickly outgrows its boundaries. Oriental poppies and daylilies, like yarrow, create a thick mat of foliage at ground level making it easy to keep the area where these plants grow weed free, although rabbits may attempt to burrow under them to create nests.

Fall

• Monkshood, aster, autumn crocus and sedum are flowering perennials that are at their peak in the fall when little else is in bloom and are rabbit resistant. The dark blue flowers of monkshood are a real standout in the garden. Monkshood is toxic, so plant it in the center of the garden or at the back of the border where no one can rub against it. Wear gloves when handling this plant. Aster provides a source of natural nectar for migrating hummingbirds and butterflies in addition to fending off rabbits. Plant autumn and spring crocus together at the front of the border to create two seasons of color. Plant sedum in an area that does not receive a lot of water, since it is a succulent.

Winter

• Hellebore and snowdrops light up the winter garden with their flowers, which are rabbit resistant. Hellebore blooms on and off throughout the winter months, beginning in November. Plant several varieties of this plant and pay close attention to the bloom times. This allows you to plant varieties with overlapping bloom times. Snowdrops emerge in late winter. Snowdrops are an ideal choice for naturalizing and since the white, or green and white blooms appear long before there is a need to mow, you can plant them in grassy areas making your property even less attractive to rabbits.