Recently a reader asked this on The Garden Oracle facebook page:
QUESTION: Any useful ornamental flowers that bunnies (and deer) don't find tasty? I've replanted my front yard 3 times! They've eaten all my Yarrow, Chamomile & Cone Flowers!
A WARY RABBIT DINES ON FRESH FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN |
ANSWER: That is a tough one! We have deer and rabbits both and they can be quite a challenge! Unfortunately they don't always follow the rules according to what they are supposed to not eat. The ideal situation is to have a fenced yard or garden or beds with screening to keep pests at bay, but if barricades aren't an option or aren't working you definitely have to get creative with your plantings - especially since some of the plants your visitors are encroaching on are already often listed as deer/rabbit resistant!
You might try using plants with pungent scented foliage; especially the more potent flowering perennial culinary herbs such as: Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Sage, Winter Savory, certain things in the Mint family such as Oregano and Lemon Balm (both self-sow prolifically so make sure to deadhead), and Elephant Garlic or Garlic Chives. Most of these are left alone by deer and rabbits and are also quite hardy and low maintenance.
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SILVER FOLIAGE LIKE ARTEMESIA "VALERIE FINNIS" DETERS NIBBLES |
Another great option is ornamental onions, or Alliums. These are wonderful additions to any flower garden and are usually sold as bulbs to be planted in fall or spring, although sometimes are sold as live plants or seeds. There are many colors, flower sizes, shapes, heights and and a range of bloom times to choose from. Some of the more garden-worthy varieties are: Globemaster, Drumstick, Purple Sensation, Caerulium, Cristophii, Moly, Aflatunense, Mount Everest, Giganteum, Karataviense, Schubertii and Nigrum.
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GLOBEMASTER ALLIUM WITH LAMB'S EARS, WALLFLOWERS AND HEUCHERA MAKES A NICE VIGNETTE |
For stickery plants there are a number of flowering plants in the Thistle family which can be quite striking additions to the perennial border such as Globe Thistle (Echinops) in a few colors and varieties including blue and white; as well as large scale thistle relatives including Teasle and Cardoon which are great for adding height, architectural drama and texture to the flower garden. Red Hot Pokers are also very effective in a similar manner and are usually left alone by nibbling visitors.
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COLUMBINES (AQUILEGIA) HAVE MILD TOXINS & USUALLY AVOID ANIMAL BROWSING |
Also, many wildflowers and native plants are good choices because they have developed defenses to resist browsing animals that are often bred out of more cultivated or modern varieties as a side-effect of the hybridization process, so try including wildlowers in your plantings or scattering native species wildflower seeds in drifts. As with most of the plants listed here these are not necessarily foolproof; animals under environmental stress will still find ways of adapting to these defenses and nibble or browse certain "resistant" plants. Animals act differently in different regions and situations and develop immunities to different plant toxins in localized populations that may change their browsing habits. Remember that "Pest Resistant" does not necessarily mean pest-free, so the best advice is to experiment with these options and see what works for you!
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FLOWERING CARDOONS ARE BOLD, PEST RESISTANT ADDITIONS |
and you can browse many flower seeds and plants directly on The Garden Oracle site HERE.
Here are Links Directly to Supplier Pages of Deer & Rabbit Resistant Plants & Flowers:
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Herbs at Burpee
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Perennials at Burpee
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Perennials at Direct Gardening
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Flower Bulbs at Direct Gardening
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Flowering Shrubs at Direct Gardening
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Flowering Vines at Direct Gardening
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Container Plants at Direct Gardening
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Herbs at Direct Gardening
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Annuals at Home Depot Online Garden Center
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Perennials at Home Depot Online Garden Center
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Deciduous Shrubs at Home Depot Online Garden Center
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Evergreen Shrubs at Home Depot Online Garden Center
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Flowers at Botanical Interests Seeds
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Perennials at Monticello Shop
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Shrubs at Monticello Shop
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Perennials at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Ground Covers at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Flowering Shrubs at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Evergreen Shrubs at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Shrubs (All) at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Trees (All) at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Vines at Nature Hills Nursery
Deer & Rabbit Resistant Calla Lillies at Pacific Callas
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