All sage plants are avoided by rabbits because the volatile oils in the leaf function as natural repulsives to the creatures. Russian sage leaves also have a rough, woolly feel that rabbits don’t like.
Any low-maintenance perennial border should include Russian sage plants as a default selection. Expect wands of bee-friendly blooms from the beginning of summer through the conclusion of the season if you plant them in full sun and medium soil. Russian sage plants can thrive for many years in your environment without deadheading or fertilizing.
Do rabbits and deer consume Russian sage?
White bells are attractive and will draw your attention, but deer and bunnies won’t be bothered because they only care about the flavor. Other Leucojum species that open later in the season—some as late as fall—and are critter-resistant can be found when you go shopping.
It takes some time for the spring snowflake’s foliage in the picture above to go dormant. Plant the bulbs among sedges that resemble grass to hide the ripening leaves. Water the region during dry spells because spring snowflakes prefer some moisture throughout their latent period. If blooming declines, lift the clumps as the foliage withers, split them apart, and immediately replant the bulbs.
Perhaps because the spreading stems and evergreen leaves are tough and leathery, animals don’t gnaw on this ground cover. Please be aware that this plant can be regarded as invasive in some places. For more information, go here.
Plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart so they can grow together over the course of a year or two. For a quicker cover, position them closer. The soil is where stems root, so soon you’ll have a tight mat. However, as the petals fade, trim it to keep it growing densely like the cultivar “Sterling Silver” above. Hedge shears or scissors work well for trimming it back to a height of approximately 4 inches in a limited space. Mow across huge beds with your lawnmower set as high as you can. Again, thicker than before, it will fill in.
Butterflies are drawn to the veil of lavender-blue blossoms. However, deer and rabbits avoid it because to the smell, which is similar to that of culinary sage (Salvia officinalis), another plant that attracts them.
Keep the silver-gray stems upright throughout the winter. Cut all of the stems to approximately 6 in. long as soon as new leaves start to emerge late the following spring for a bushy plant. Later in the summer, you’ll have additional blossoms as it grows more stems.
Once planted, this perennial requires little maintenance—it thrives without fertilizer or additional water. The delicate stems don’t actually need to be staked, either.
Popular marigolds are colorful flowers. However, the strong aroma of marigolds makes them an unappealing snack to the majority of four-legged animals. However, bees and butterflies will savor the nectar for hours.
The marigold is simple to grow. Plant the seeds outdoors or indoors, depending on where you want them to bloom. In either case, they begin to bloom after seven to eight weeks. Or, you can get multi-packs from the garden center if you only need a couple for one or two containers.
The African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) in this photo, including Taishan Yellow, are distinguished by their strong stems. The blooms will continue to bloom even after a significant downpour. Additionally, it seems unfazed by the sweltering summer heat.
Even the charming ‘Katherine Dykes’ above, which is a shrubby cinquefoil, has a terrible reputation in many places. People occasionally believe it to be common or that it looks worn out. However, it is one of the plants that blooms the longest. Additionally, this tough shrub is hardly ever bothered by pests or illnesses.
The best-looking shrubby cinquefoil will undergo regular pruning. In the early spring, trim all of the stems by at least half with a pair of hedge clippers. If you want a smaller plant, you can cut the stem down to a few inches. You don’t have to worry about missing the golden blossoms if you trim the shrubby cinquefoil too early because it blooms on fresh wood.
This fall-planted bulb has a distinctly “skunky” smell. Animals will avoid the area since they can smell the flowers or greenery even if you can’t.
When planting, place 1 inch of coarse sand under the bulb since crown imperial needs adequate drainage. And plant the bulb on its side to avoid water from condensing in the top.
Sprinkle fertilizer all around your crown imperials in the early spring as soon as you notice the stems peeking through. Find a general-purpose bulb food with a 9-9-6 analysis. Snip off the blooms once they have faded, but save the foliage to nourish the bulb. After the bulb goes dormant, keep the soil dry.
The big-flowered alliums will still be preparing to put on their display after the deer and rabbits have devoured all of the tulips. The iconic flower in the image above, “Gladiator,” has blooms that can endure up to three weeks. The globes will continue to stand even after the foliage withers, which usually happens before the flowers are finished and the color dries up.
Even if a single specimen is impressive, planting in groups has a greater impact. Per square foot, allow two to three bulbs. They can cost more than other spring bulbs, which is true, but their flowers often persist longer than tulips or daffodils.
Toxic to both humans and other creatures like deer and rabbits, foxgloves are poisonous in all sections. They are aware to leave this plant alone, somehow.
Foxglove with narrow leaves is infamous for dying quickly. By preventing it from setting seeds, you can attempt to extend its life for several years and increase the number of blossoms you get in the process. The plant may use up all of its energy ripening the seeds and die throughout the winter if you fall behind in deadheading and seeds form. If so, allow the seeds to fall to the ground and search for seedlings the following spring. The first year, they most likely won’t blossom, but mark them so you can enjoy the flowers the following year.
Deer and rabbits won’t likely enter a bed in search of food if the edge is made unpleasant to them. This mounding plant looks great in a container or as a low border. Most cultivars feature flowers that are lavender-blue, like this one’s “Blue Pearl.” All of them prefer full light, however in USDA zones 8 or warmer, afternoon shade keeps the color the best.
Not even deadheading is necessary. New growth and flower buds typically cover the old vegetation as the blooms fade. The plant may become a little bit lanky with time. Your plants will start blooming again in a week or two if you lightly shear or clip a couple of inches from the top.
Traffic can be stopped when the flower stalk of this lovely shrub is covered in creamy white bells in the summer. Additionally, it will deter passing hummingbirds from stopping by for a taste of nectar. Deer and bunnies, meanwhile, won’t even nip at the stringy, stiff foliage. The leaves of ‘Variegata’ are blue-green with creamy yellow edges. The evergreen trees’ leaves become rosy pink in the fall.
Spanish dagger is actually a shrub, but because it grows so slowly, most people grow it as a perennial. It will eventually grow a trunk that elevates the leaf rosette after around 10 years, making a remarkable focal point.
Lilacs might be found blossoming carelessly in abandoned lots. One explanation for why lilacs thrive when left alone? Deer and rabbits ignore them in favor of chewing on more appetizing objects.
Here, there are Persian lilacs that are incredibly fragrant and resemble well-known French hybrids. But compared to its well-known cousins, it appears a little bit smaller and more fragile.
The fact that most lilacs bloom for such a brief period of time is their worst flaw. Plant a variety of deer- and rabbit-resistant plants and cultivars. You can do this to extend the season of color and scent for as long as a month.