We have rabbits, not the cute cuddly ones with lop ears, but the kind that hops around the garden selecting lunch options. I read that marigolds repel rabbits--is this true? Has anyone planted marigolds and seen the bunnies run for cover? If marigolds do repel rabbits, I may not have to cage my broccoli, peppers, and fence in my green beans. Oh, please tell me that marigolds set up a "no bunny" zone!
Jane I took this from The Old Farmers' Almanac for you:- "Plants That Rabbits Dislike Rabbits find the same type of plants unpalatable as deer do. Choose plants such as forsythia, lilac bush, marigolds, zinnias, daffodils, lavender and snapdragons. This will reduce your rabbit population. Here are more plants that rabbits dislike: WOODY PLANTS Azalea (Rhododendron sp.) Boxwood (Buxus sp.) Bush cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.) Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.) Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba) Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) PERENNIALS Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia) Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) Meadow rue (Thalictrum rochebrunianum) Peony (Paeonia hybrids) Perennial salvia 'East Friesland' (Salvia x superba) Primrose (Primula x polyantha) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum) Speedwell (Veronica sp.) Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla verna) Stokes' aster (Stokesia laevis) ANNUALS Four o'clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa) Geranium, zonal and bedding (Pelargonium x hortorum) Mexican ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum) Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) Spiderflower (Cleome hasslerana) Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) Wax begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) BULBS Daffodil (Narcissus sp.) Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis) Persian onion (Allium giganteum) VEGETABLES Asparagus Leeks Onions Potatoes Rhubarb Summer squash Tomatoes HERBS Basil Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Savory Tarragon" I don't have a rabbit problem so can't say which would be the most affective but thought you'd like to see the list anyway.
Eileen, thank you so much! I've printed out your list and will plant as many of the "dislikes" as possible. Sure beats trying to cage in or surround the tasty plants! That was very kind of you. May I send you a few rabbits in return?
I can attest to our rabbit(s) not eating many items on that list including the marigolds. They do eat dandelion flowers , Campanula :-( and tender new hosta shoots :-(. Go for the marigolds, Oh!!..... slugs!! Slugs like some marigolds :-( Jerry
OK now where is the list for voles? I thought the woodchucks and squirrels were bad. Now the voles are taking first place. My gardens look like I rototilled. Moles and voles are trying my patience.
Here you go Donna:- Plants & Shrubs That Are Unappealing to Voles by Chris Miksen, Demand Media http://homeguides.sfgate.com/plants-shr ... 30995.html
We had a rabbit at our old place that would sit on the grass at the edge of the garden and eat my marigolds!
Netty, that is not good news ! I plan to use the French marigolds because they also purportedly repel nematodes (I've never seen a nematode, but if it's awful we probably have one). Perhaps the rabbits don't have a taste for French fare.
Cool list! I'm going to print it out too. So far the only things that my rabbits have devoured were the young Hyacinth Bean Vine plants.
In my experience, bunnies will eat whatever they want, whenever they want to. They are curious, and are opportunists. Some may not like marigolds, or other plants, and others will chew and taste anything. I like marigolds, so I like including them in a veggie garden whatever the benefits are!
I am not exactly sure why the rabbits don't like certain plants but I always thought that meant that they would not eat them, not keep them away from the goodies you are trying to surround with them....I love marigolds so I always have them in my garden...they are one plant that will last a little longer when our fall comes around...Good Luck
