Hydrangeas are beloved plants that add beauty and charm to home gardens and backyards. However, there’s a common culprit lurking in many gardens: rabbits. These adorable creatures can cause significant damage to hydrangeas, leading to frustration for gardeners. In this article, we’ll explore whether rabbits eat hydrangeas and provide you with practical tips to keep them away from your beloved plants.
Do Rabbits Eat Hydrangeas: YES!
Regrettably, rabbits do have a taste for hydrangeas and can cause considerable harm to the plants. Although they don’t actively seek out hydrangeas as a preferred food source, hungry rabbits will take a bite if they sense the scent of these lovely flowers nearby. This is especially true during early spring when rabbits are foraging for food to sustain themselves and their offspring.
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Can Rabbits Devour The Entire Hydrangea Plant?
While rabbits can’t reach the height to devour an entire hydrangea plant, they can still cause significant damage. Hungry rabbits will nibble on flower buds, leaves, and even the bark of young hydrangea plants. It’s crucial to protect your plants from these adorable yet destructive creatures.
What are The Usual Food Choices For Rabbits?
Hydrangeas are just one of many plant species that rabbits enjoy feasting on. They also have a fondness for pansies, petunias, marigolds, and various other flowers. Additionally, rabbits find pleasure in snacking on clover, dandelion, carrots, celery, vegetables, and leafy greens. Their diet is diverse, making it important to take preventive measures to safeguard your hydrangeas.
Protecting Your Hydrangeas: Effective Methods to Deter Rabbits
It can be challenging to repel rabbits from eating your hydrangeas, but not impossible. Here are seven effective methods to keep these furry intruders at bay:
1. Opt for Oakleaf Hydrangea Instead
While no hydrangea is completely rabbit-proof, planting oakleaf or climbing hydrangeas can deter rabbits from your garden. These varieties are less appealing to rabbits, reducing the risk of damage to your plants.
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Oakleaf hydrangeas, such as Hydrangea quercifolia, boast stunning white flowers that are visually appealing. However, rabbits tend to seek out other types of plants when looking for a meal, making these varieties a safer choice.
2. Install Fencing
A reliable method to keep rabbits away from your hydrangeas is to erect a fence. Since rabbits aren’t adept at jumping high, a short fence is often effective against wild rabbits. However, if deer also pose a threat, a low fence won’t offer sufficient protection. Chicken wire or welded wire can be used to cover the bottom section of the fence and prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath.
Remember these key points:
- Ensure the bottom of the fence is securely grounded to prevent rabbits from digging underneath.
- Cover the bottom one to two feet of the fence with chicken wire or welded wire to prevent rabbits from squeezing through pickets.
Rabbits are clever creatures, so it’s important to anticipate their attempts to circumvent the fence, especially if it’s made of wood.
3. Utilize Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Rabbits dislike getting wet unexpectedly, which makes motion-activated sprinklers an excellent option for deterring them, as well as other garden invaders like deer, squirrels, and raccoons. These sprinklers turn on when they detect motion, effectively scaring off any unwanted visitors. It’s highly recommended to set up a trail camera to capture the amusing reactions of these creatures to the sprinkler.
Quick tip: Remember to turn off the sprinkler when you need to access your hydrangeas. However, if you forget and capture any hilarious moments on video, feel free to share!
4. Use Predator Scents
Rabbits steer clear of areas that smell like potential predators. Consider planting predator urine or using predator scents to create a deterrent around your garden. Another option is incorporating blood as a means to keep rabbits away from your plants.
5. Employ Red Pepper Spray
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Rabbits have an aversion to the smell of crushed red peppers or garlic. Creating a spray that combines these scents can be an effective deterrent. The scent is also detested by deer, making it a practical solution for repelling both creatures. Sprinkling dried cayenne pepper on plants can also discourage rabbits from feasting on unwanted foliage. Once rabbits catch a whiff of these scents, they’re unlikely to linger in the area for long.
6. Try Rabbit Repellents
If you prefer not to use commercial repellents or spray mixtures, there are still options available to protect your garden from rabbits. Utilize a plant-safe spray and apply it around the perimeter of your garden to keep rabbits at bay. Liquid fence is a highly recommended rabbit repellent containing garlic, egg solids, and thyme, saving you the trouble of creating your own spray.
7. Create a Decoy Garden
Clover holds a special place in rabbits’ hearts. By leaving a patch of clover in another area of your yard, you can redirect their attention and provide them with an alternative food source. This method has proven effective as rabbits tend to focus on the freely available clover, leaving your hydrangeas untouched. It’s a win-win situation, allowing rabbits to satisfy their dietary needs while preserving your garden.
8. Consider Companion Planting
Companion planting involves strategically placing certain plants near each other to create a mutually beneficial environment. While often associated with deterring pests and worms, planting specific crops alongside your hydrangeas can help deter rabbits. Garlic is an excellent companion plant known for keeping rabbits (and even deer) away from your bushes and plants. If you have available space, planting garlic near your hydrangeas is worth considering. Alternatively, you can opt for rabbit-resistant plants that even domestic rabbits tend to avoid.
Plants that Rabbits Tend To Avoid
Some plants and flowers tend to repel rabbits naturally. Consider planting these rabbit-resistant options near your hydrangeas to discourage bunnies from roaming in that area:
- Pot marigold
- Geraniums
- Salvia
- Strawflower
- Begonias
By incorporating visually appealing flowers that rabbits tend to avoid, you can create a more rabbit-resistant garden environment.
Can Hydrangeas Withstand Rabbit Damage?
Although most hydrangea species are not entirely resistant to rabbits, there are ways to protect your plants effectively. Combining strong scents, installing wire fencing, and creating a decoy garden are some of the strategies you can employ to keep rabbits away from your beloved hydrangeas. With these methods, you can enjoy the beauty of your hydrangeas without worrying about them becoming a rabbit’s delight.
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Category: Discovery
