Rabbit Resistant Trees & Shrubs & Plants

The following plants are said to be 'Rabbit proof' or rabbit resistant. Much will depend on the stage of growth. For instance, Geraniums are listed, but young growth may be 'attacked'!

It seems that much depends upon what part of the country you live determines whether or not a certain plant will be resistant to Rabbit damage.

This list is drawn up from personal experience - mainly in South East England, in a wide range of garden situations. Some of the subjects I have planted in other gardens - and of course met with failure!

If any visitor has useful comment, or experience of 'resisting' Rabbit damage to their plants, then please let us know, so that we can make this a more meaningful list. Just bear in mind that we are talking of 'plants' and not methods that are seemingly unpalatable to Rabbits. (Some of the time!)

Trees which are resistant to rabbits	Shrubs with inbuilt rabbit resistance. Some are more resistant than others		Perennials Rabbit Resistant Perennials
Alnus Arbutus Betula Ilex Laburnum Pinus nigra Taxus Most trees have a greater tendency to be resistant to rabbits as the get older. Trees with thin, papery bark, seem to be the most sought after. (Much easier for the rabbit to get to the sweeter layer under the tough bark.)	Arbutus Aucuba Berberis Buddlejah Buxus Ceanothus Choisya ternata Clematis Cornus Cotoneaster - but not simondsii Daphne Deutzia Elaeagnus Fatsia Fuchsia megallanica Gaultheria Hippophae rhaminoides Hidrangea Hypericum Ilex Kalmia All of the above are said to be resistant to rabbits. The resistance however, depends upon many factors.	Laurel Lancer Olearia haastii Pernettya mucronata Philadelphus Ligustrum (Privet) Rhododendron/Azalea Rhus Ribes Roses - Prickly Species Rosemarinus Ruscus Sambucus Skimmia japonica types Spiraea types Symphoricarpus Syringa Taxus Ulex Viburnum opulus and tinus types Vinca Yucca. Resistance is varied. Some are totally resistant to rabbits	Acanthus Aconitum Anemone Aquilegia Astilbe Bergenia Cortaderia Epimedium Eryngium Euphorbia Geranium Helleborus orientalis Hemerocallis Kniphofia Polygonatum (Persicaria) Salvia superba Saxifraga umbrosa Sedum spectabilis

By David Hughes