(violet) - I find this hard to believe, since violets and pansies are very tasty and sweet!
(everlasting flower)
Zinnia elegans
It was hard to stop the formatting going askew, apologies, but I hope this helps anyway. Maybe if you cut and paste it will go back to something sensible.
I would also query violets being on a toxic to humans list, because you can use them (dipped in egg white and then caster sugar) as an edible cake decoration. Have done so, and no ill effects.
Dinah, full marks to you for that effort. (If I could find a gold star I would give you one.)
Arr, thanks folks, I'll be polishin me halo for a bit after that endorsement.. No, not everything is poisonous to us on the list, nor to the rabbits, but I just found the introduction to the list which should have gone first, so here goes:
While the term “Rabbit-proof” with regard to plants is used (and is popular with garden centres and online suppliers etc.) what they actually means is “rabbit-resistant.” All plants, when they are young and tender are worth a nibble to a hungry bunny. Even “lords and ladies” plants are not rabbit-proof when they put out young, lush shoots – and they contain a burning acid in their sap! Tree bark is a fairly good deterrent, as are very dense thorns, and since rabbits obviously don't climb trees, tall shrubs and bushes are naturally resistant – but even so, slender young, green stems need protection. This is why climbing plants and vines are popular in rabbit areas, and species (wild) roses, some of which are far more woody and thorny e.g. Rosa Spinnosisima tend to be more popular than the glamorous hybrids grown in towns. Again, however, it only takes a nibble to snip through the base of a narrow stem and the whole plant is gone – so a bit of netting around a young, soft plant may be worth the effort. I'm not entirely sure about tree and plant roots. Some gardeners report rabbits digging out the rootsof saplings and other new plantings (especially tuberous rooted perennials) when other green stuff is scarce. Perhaps they are just digging burrows – but I'd be on my guard. I have read that sinking a ring of chicken wire into the ground (to a depth of 6-8 inches) around a newly planted specimen will stop them digging out roots.
If I think a plant may be toxic I've put a note by it, but I have limited knowledge of toxicology, and you'll probably recognise other plants that are toxic on the list. This is only significant to mention here because some plants avoided by rabbits are avoided preciselybecause they contain something toxic or indigestible!
Yes, yes! I've seen that... two or three will hop across a discarded patch of ground covered in weeds, to a single, treasured sapling in the middle, rummage through the barricades, eat it, and then hop off together, like they're congratulating one another on having just done a public service. It's so sinister!
Posts
Wow Dinah!
(Solomon's seal)
Polygonum
(primrose)
(lungwort)
(London pride)
Schizostylis coccinea
(ice plant)
(sea ragwort)
(lamb's ears)
(African marigold)
(French marigold)
Tradescantia virginiana
(wake robin)
Tritonia crocata
Trollius europaeus (globe flower) - Toxic to humans
(tulips)
(mullein)
(violet) - I find this hard to believe, since violets and pansies are very tasty and sweet!
(everlasting flower)
Zinnia elegans
It was hard to stop the formatting going askew, apologies, but I hope this helps anyway. Maybe if you cut and paste it will go back to something sensible.
Thanks for the moral support there Busy-Lizzy. I was flagging toward the end!
alternately get someone in to 'remove' the rabbits and have them in a pie!
Good list Dinah - but my ice plants (sedum) got decimated as soon as they started into growth. Had to protect them or put them in pots up out of reach
Rabbit pie - yumm
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I would also query violets being on a toxic to humans list, because you can use them (dipped in egg white and then caster sugar) as an edible cake decoration. Have done so, and no ill effects.
Dinah, full marks to you for that effort. (If I could find a gold star I would give you one.)
Arr, thanks folks, I'll be polishin me halo for a bit after that endorsement..
No, not everything is poisonous to us on the list, nor to the rabbits, but I just found the introduction to the list which should have gone first, so here goes:
While the term “Rabbit-proof” with regard to plants is used (and is popular with garden centres and online suppliers etc.) what they actually means is “rabbit-resistant.” All plants, when they are young and tender are worth a nibble to a hungry bunny. Even “lords and ladies” plants are not rabbit-proof when they put out young, lush shoots – and they contain a burning acid in their sap! Tree bark is a fairly good deterrent, as are very dense thorns, and since rabbits obviously don't climb trees, tall shrubs and bushes are naturally resistant – but even so, slender young, green stems need protection. This is why climbing plants and vines are popular in rabbit areas, and species (wild) roses, some of which are far more woody and thorny e.g. Rosa Spinnosisima tend to be more popular than the glamorous hybrids grown in towns. Again, however, it only takes a nibble to snip through the base of a narrow stem and the whole plant is gone – so a bit of netting around a young, soft plant may be worth the effort. I'm not entirely sure about tree and plant roots. Some gardeners report rabbits digging out the roots of saplings and other new plantings (especially tuberous rooted perennials) when other green stuff is scarce. Perhaps they are just digging burrows – but I'd be on my guard. I have read that sinking a ring of chicken wire into the ground (to a depth of 6-8 inches) around a newly planted specimen will stop them digging out roots.
If I think a plant may be toxic I've put a note by it, but I have limited knowledge of toxicology, and you'll probably recognise other plants that are toxic on the list. This is only significant to mention here because some plants avoided by rabbits are avoided precisely because they contain something toxic or indigestible!
I can tell you what rabbits don't eat - weeds! They always seem to choose the precious plants and not the unwanted ones.
Yes, yes! I've seen that... two or three will hop across a discarded patch of ground covered in weeds, to a single, treasured sapling in the middle, rummage through the barricades, eat it, and then hop off together, like they're congratulating one another on having just done a public service. It's so sinister!