In warm climates, the plant will benefit from some afternoon shade. In the colder weather, the plants should receive full sun. Adding a layer of mulch will help control weeds and allow your soil to retain moisture.Īgeratums are versatile and aren’t picky about the pH of the soil. When planting blue ageratum, make sure the soil is well-drained, moist, and enriched with compost. Although they’re toxic to rabbits and deer, they do tend to attract many butterflies.Īgeratum is native to the American tropics and will not thrive beyond summer north of planting zone 10. Keeping the faded flowers trimmed back allows the plant to flower throughout early summer and fall.Īgeratum is a low-maintenance, low growing plant that is best planted at the edge of beds, borders, and walkways to keep rabbits away. What keeps rabbits away from ageratum are the fringes and fuzziness of the flowers, as well as the texture of the leaves. Blue is the most common color in the plant, but the flowers are available in pink and white as well. However, the plant does require at least 6 hours of sun every day. AgeratumĪlso known as floss flower, Ageratum houstonianum is among the few annuals that bloom in light shade. Many varieties will deteriorate in the heat of the summer and bloom again in the fall. Sweet alyssum will continue throughout fall and winter. You can plant seeds outdoors, as soon as the soil feels warm to the touch, or you can start the seeds indoors. Surround the plants you’re trying to protect from rabbits with this plant. The water should drain well or the plant is vulnerable to rot. You’ll need to water more during dry or hot spells. Once the plant is established, provide at least 1 inch of water every week. Following germination, you can water only when the soil feels dry. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Make sure the seed is exposed to light at the same time. Scatter the seed and press it down to allow enough contact with the soil. Sweet alyssum seedlings are easily available in nurseries, typically in the fall and spring. This is especially the case in milder climates. If you are starting with a plant, the good news is that the flower will self-sow and provide you with a yearly batch of gorgeous flowers. You can start the flower from seed or plant. Sweet alyssum is a cool-weather flower that can be set out during early spring. In warm climates, the blooms continue to grow year-round. The plant is richly concentrated in flowers with low growing foliage throughout its growing season. It’s an unmatched natural rabbit repellent that grows in almost any type of soil. Sweet alyssum can be grown in full sun or part shade and is hardy to both heat and drought. The flowers, as the name suggests, have a sweet and cheerful fragrance that humans love and rabbits hate. In the spring, the plant carries numerous clusters of small white, violet, lavender or pink flowers. Sweet alyssum or Lobularia maritima is a member of the mustard family that doesn’t only keep rabbits away, but is also easy to grow. The same goes for plants that ooze out toxic, milky saps. If a particular flower or shrub comes with spines, a strong odor or a strange, fuzzy texture, the chances are that rabbits will avoid it. Therefore, not all plants are enjoyed by rabbits. Their taste also varies by season and region. Rabbits have food preferences based on the following factors: Flowers, Shrubs, or Plants That Rabbits Don’t Eat Rabbits also avoid plants that are poisonous to them, or release toxic saps. Select plants that have strong scents, prickles, spines, and leathery leaves. Catnip is another excellent example of a rabbit-repelling fragrant plant. A smell that may be sweet or pleasing for humans, may be completely unappetizing for rabbits. This is because certain plants have a strong fragrance. Planting perennials and annuals, such as alyssum, helps keep rabbits away from your garden. They’re sniffing to find the right food, to keep away from poisonous plants and to steer clear of dangerous predators. You might notice that rabbits twitch their noses a lot. Related Articles: What Repels Rabbits from Eating Plants? Plant, Shrub or Flower
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