Rabbits skip plants with fuzzy, aromatic or bitter leaves — catmint, salvia, lavender, yarrow, ornamental onion, peony, false indigo and Russian sage hold up in Maine yards with rabbit pressure.
- Catmint — Aromatic leaves rabbits leave alone, blooms all summer.
- Salvia — Scented foliage and long spikes of blue and purple.
- Lavender — Strong scent keeps rabbits and deer away.
- Yarrow — Ferny, bitter leaves and flat flower heads.
- Ornamental Onion — Onion scent; rabbits don't touch it.
- Peony — Tough leaves, huge spring flowers, lives for decades.
- False Indigo — Bitter foliage and blue pea flowers.
- Russian Sage — Silvery, aromatic stems for late summer.
- Cranesbill — Dense mounds rabbits pass over.
- Globe Thistle — Prickly leaves and steel-blue globes.
Alkanet 'Alexander's Great'
Brunnera 'Alexander's Great'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Heartleaf (macrophylla)'
Brunnera 'Heartleaf (macrophylla)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Jack Frost'
Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Jack of Diamonds'
Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Looking Glass'
Brunnera 'Looking Glass'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Permafrost'
Brunnera 'Permafrost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Queen of Hearts'
Brunnera 'Queen of Hearts'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Alkanet 'Sea Heart'
Brunnera 'Sea Heart'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Ampliflora Iris 'Ming Treasure'
Iris 'Ming Treasure'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'Rubrum'
Epimedium 'Rubrum'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'Versicolor Sulphureum'
Epimedium 'Versicolor Sulphureum'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'White Queen'
Epimedium 'White Queen'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Tips
- Young shoots are most at risk in early spring; cover new plantings with chicken wire until they toughen up.
- “Resistant” isn’t “rabbit-proof” — a hungry rabbit in a hard winter will try almost anything.
- Mix aromatic plants like catmint and lavender along bed edges where rabbits come in.
- Keep brush piles away from beds; rabbits like cover close to their food.
Frequently asked questions
What perennials do rabbits not eat?
Catmint, salvia, lavender, yarrow, ornamental onion, peony, false indigo and Russian sage are rarely touched.
Are deer-resistant plants also rabbit resistant?
Often, because both avoid fuzzy, scented and bitter leaves — but not always. Rabbits eat some plants deer skip, like young lupines.
How do I protect new plants from rabbits?
Circle them with chicken wire 18 inches tall for the first few weeks, until the leaves harden off.
Do rabbits eat hostas?
Yes, rabbits nibble young hosta shoots in spring, so hostas aren’t on this list.