Bunnies hopping around your backyard may look cute, but these four-legged creatures are capable of causing serious garden destruction. In addition to eating various crops from vegetable gardens, such as red and green leaf lettuce, they also consume flowers like tulips, pansies, and impatiens. To help you plant gardens that rabbits stay away from, here are some flowers they never eat. 

What Flowers Are Repulsive to Rabbits? 

1. Ageratums

Rabbits dislike ageratums, or floss flowers, because of their texture. These blooms are bright blue, pink, red, or white with fuzzy petals that make them unpleasant for bunnies to snack on. The leaf texture is also unappealing to rabbits. Ageratums are subsequently popular border flowers that keep the critters out of the beds and vegetable gardens. To ensure these blooms remain viable from summer into fall, remove faded flowers as you find them. Ageratums do best in well-draining soil and partial shade. 

2. Pot Marigolds

The flowers and leaves on this marigold variation taste bitter to rabbits and feature a strong odor they detest. Pot marigolds feature pink, yellow, cream, or bright orange flowers and do not require significant watering upon reaching maturity. However, they benefit from well-draining, nutrient-rich soil in areas that receive full or partial sun. 

3. Catnip

Felines might go crazy for this plant, but rabbits do not. The strong fragrance catnip plants give off keeps bunnies away. If you want to add catnip to your gardens, ensure the soil drains well, and prevent the plants from blooming if you desire “bushier” results. Should you wish to grow the plant for your cat, in addition to dissuading rabbit visitors, avoid using commercial fertilizers that can be toxic to your pet. Opt for organic fertilizer, such as compost “tea” instead. 

4. Lavender

As calming as lavender scents are for people, they deter rabbits and other backyard pests, including mosquitoes, squirrels, and rats. Lavender thrives in sunny areas featuring well-draining, alkaline soil. Once established, they are drought-tolerant plants. This purple flower also benefits from routine pruning that promotes new growth. 

Keep your gardens beautiful and pest-free with plants and flowers from Northgate Greenhouses in Cincinnati, OH. This company has 17 greenhouses featuring a comprehensive variety of annuals and perennials, and all are open year round. Call (513) 729-1134 today to see what’s in stock, or visit the website for additional information and to see their garden art. Like the Facebook page for more tips and the latest updates.