I don’t know about you, but I have been spotting a lot of wild rabbits lately, of which we have several native and introduced species here in British Columbia. It started recently during my daily early morning cycle where they would be running across a nearby forest path about a block away. Then my wife planted a little lettuce and kale in the backyard, and right on cue, those tan bandits came a calling. As well, on a recent trip to one of my wholesale plant suppliers in the Fraser Valley, I noticed that almost every greenhouse had a resident rabbit nibbling away. 

(Rabbit | 📸 MK Lascelle)

So, if your garden is forest-adjacent or even close to a green belt or park, you too might be noticing an absence of perennial foliage and flowers thanks to our furry friends. With that in mind, here are ten perennial replacements that are largely ignored by marauding wild rabbits.

Flowering Onion (Allium spp.)

Whether you are planting allium bulbs in the fall along with your tulips or daffodils, or purchasing perennial types such as ‘Millenium’, ‘Bubble Bath’ or ‘Bobblehead’, all are equally disdained by our fury friends. Spherical pink, purple, blue or white blooms are the norm, although other colours (such as yellow, Allium moly) and flower forms do exist. Height varies from 12-60” tall. Average hardiness is USDA zone 4. 

(Allium 'Globemaster' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Lenten & Christmas Rose (Helleborus spp.)

The bitter tasting foliage of all Hellebores makes them a much less desirable food source. And with so many flower forms (single, double, anemone) and colours to choose from, I think every garden with an open shade to morning sun exposure should have a few of these early blooming (late winter to early spring) beauties. Most grow between 12-24” tall, with H. corsicus stretching to 3’. Average hardiness is between USDA zones 4-6. 

(Helleborus 'Liara' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia spp.)

These beauties from South Africa are relatively easy to grow and are quite cold hardy, despite their exotic appearance. They are evergreen in milder climates and are a much sought after nectar source by hummingbirds. A full sun exposure with good soil drainage is optimal. Grows 2-4’ tall, depending on species or variety. Hardy between USDA zones 5 and 6. 

(Kniphofia 'Royal Castle' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Although this is not the hardiest species, the high camphor content of the foliage makes it the least-likely lavender to be eaten. Very showy flower bracts of purple, pink (‘The Princess’) or white are borne for months on end (mid spring to late summer) with deadheading. Grows 12-24” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 7. 

(Lavandula stoechas 'The Princess'  | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Monkshood (Aconitum spp.)

An old-fashioned English cottage perennial which has fallen out of favour lately but presents as well as a delphinium and is much easier to grow. Stately spires of rich blue to purple (white and pink forms are also available) open from late summer to early fall. Grows 2-4’ tall. Hardy between USDA zones 3 and 4. 

(Aconitum napellus | 📸 Jean-Pol Grandmont Wikipedia)

Spurge (Euphorbia spp.)

The milky latex sap of all these plants is a skin irritant and as such, is unpalatable to rabbits. The bonus here is that you get a wide variety of foliage colour from deep burgundy (‘Blackbird’) to blue variegated (‘Glacier Blue’), as well as different growth habits, ranging from compact doming species (Euphorbia polychroma) to tall, architectural forms such as Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii. Grows between 8-48” tall, depending on species. Hardy from USDA zones 4-6. 

(Euphorbia 'Blackbird'  | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Foxglove has naturalized locally to such an extent, that many people believe it to be native, despite the fact that it was introduced here from Europe. The most common species, Digitalis purpurea, is biennial, producing foliage one year and flowering the next (and then self-seeding), although there are more perennial forms such as the yellow-flowered D. grandiflora. Much loved by both bees and hummingbirds. Grows 2-4’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4. 

(Digitalis 'Dalmatian Purple'  | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Larkspur (Delphinium spp.)

Delphiniums and Larkspur can be among the most impressive components of any perennial border but are notoriously difficult to grow. The key is to have rich soil with ample drainage, as well as full sun. The colour range is quite impressive, from white to pink, true blue and the deepest purples, although newer cultivars such as ‘Red Lark’ also bring a unique coral hue. Grows 2-6’ tall, depending on variety. Hardy to USDA zones 3-5. 

(Delphinium 'Red Lark' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Here’s one cottage favourite that is enjoying a healthy revival, much in part to its ease of care and long season of bloom. Newer varieties such as ‘Cat’s Meow’ have a more compact growth habit and produce sky-blue blossoms from late spring through to early fall. This important pollinator plant also comes in pink and white-flowered forms, as well as varieties with contrasting gold foliage. Grows from 12-36” tall. Most are hardy to USDA zone 3. 

(Nepeta 'Cat's Meow' | 📸 Proven Winners)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

One sniff of the pungent mothball-scented foliage is enough to keep the rabbits at bay, but this versatile perennial is also drought tolerant and irresistible to bees and butterflies. Green and silver-leaved varieties are both readily available and the colour range is truly never-ending, with the hue often changing as the flowers fade. Grows 12-36” tall. Hardy to USDA zone 3. 

 (Achillea 'New Vintage Red' | 📸 MK Lascelle)

Of course, if you enjoy the company of those cute cottontails, then just plant Hollyhocks, Daylilies, Lupines, Sweet Woodruff (young shoots), Peonies, Asters, Phlox paniculata or Hosta, all of which are favourite snacks of the bunny buffet. If you already have some of these perennials and are looking forward to enjoying at least a few flowers, then try making a rabbit-repellent potpourri using a granulated blood meal fertilizer held in a cheesecloth sachet. These can be hung in and around the garden and will keep the bunnies at bay, as they are deathly afraid of the smell of blood and usually avoid it altogether. This technique also works for deer, and the perennials above are also somewhat deer resistant. 

(Blood Meal | 📸 MK Lascelle)

 

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