Master Gardner: Rabbit-resistant plants in the garden

The first thing to remember is that “rabbit-resistant” does not mean “rabbit-proof.” These guys are not only cute, but pretty smart, too. When motivated, they can outwit us when we use sprays, fences, selected plants, and even 48-inch high walls.

True, they are entertaining to watch, but can also do considerable damage to the landscape.

Desert rabbits depend on wild plants for food, but during long periods of drought, these may become scarce or even unavailable. Therefore, they enter yards where first choices are sweet, tasty, tender young plants. Though they have preferences, when hungry enough they will eat just about anything!

Probably the best defense against rabbit damage is to cage very young plants for at least 30 days after planting, or until they get woodier, tall, bitter, or more aromatic. Plants with a strong scent or containing a sap are rarely preferred.

With this in mind, following are just a few plants that rabbits tend to ignore, but still would look great in the garden. Flowers however, are considered an “herbivore delicacy,” so may be eaten from even these plants.

Desert marigold re-seeds throughout the desert and into our yards.

This fast-growing, gray-leafed evergreen produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers over long periods. There are various forms of lantana and salvia that provide for butterflies and hummingbirds, yet because of their pungent foliage are not bunny favorites.

Also on the rabbit-resistant list are other low-growing plants with aromatic foliage such as rosemary, any of the mint family, society garlic, the verbenas, santolina, artemisia, and gazania. These are all evergreen perennials, and besides handsome greenery most flower profusely.

Bunnies have been seen standing up and stretching to munch on flowers of small shrubs. However, in this category you may consider Mount Lemmon marigold, any of the emu bushes, creosote, yellow bells, fairy duster, Texas ranger, turpentine bush or nandina. During severe drought, blooms may be grazed, but the plants should not be vulnerable to rabbit attacks.

Rabbits are not fond of plants that contain sap or certain liquids. Any of the aloe and euphorbia have bitter saps. The euphorbia comes in annual and perennial varieties. A garden favorite here, the gopher spurge, a euphorbia, with its grey-green leaves and chartreuse yellow flower clusters is generally avoided by rabbits.

Sometimes the texture of the plant encourages “bunny avoidance.” For example, they do not appear to like either Myers or sprengeri asparagus ferns. These plants have prickly leaves and occasional sharp spines. Also in this group are pyracantha and cactus varieties. Agaves are tough to chew, so they are ignored.

This spring at the Arid Garden, a mom bunny and her teenager have seen fit to try paper flower, red lobelia, trumpet vine, and all of the clumping grasses. With tops chewed off were the grama, deer, muhlenbergia, purple fountain, Arizona cotton top, and baby feather grasses. Most have now been surrounded with chicken wire cages and the grazing of these plants has seemed to stop.

As was previously stated, rabbit-resistant not rabbit-proof plants have been discussed. Young plants in open landscape areas are always vulnerable to hungry animals. Valued beds or containers of flowers are best planted in walled or fenced areas of the garden.

A complete list of rabbit-resistant plants is available at the Pima County Extension office, 1100 White House Canyon Road, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until noon.

Also, this is the time to consider becoming a Master Gardener. Information and applications may be picked up at the office now. Deadline is Aug. 1, with classes beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8. Why not check it out?

Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns are featured each Sunday.