Pollinator Plants that are Rabbit Resistant

Pollinator plants that are rabbit resistant can be tough to find. However, there are some plants that can help you in your quest to attract more pollinators to your garden.

Wish to attract more pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden? But maybe there are a few obstacles that prevent you from attracting pollinators. The balance of providing pollinators with nectar and food for other wildlife becomes a real challenge. Gardens with limited Sun or neighborhood rabbits limit the types of plants that you can grow. Rabbits as cute as they are, will devour plants and of course, over time severely damage plants.

However, there are a few plants that rabbits tend to avoid as well as plants that thrive in shady gardens. And these same plants can add color to shady garden areas.

OPTIONS FOR POLLINATOR PLANTS THAT ARE RABBIT RESISTANT

We’ve found a few options for plants that attract pollinators, thrive in shade, and that rabbits tend to avoid. However, sometimes there is no stopping hungry rabbits or other wildlife from eating your plants. This is especially true after the Winter season winds down when food sources are scarce. And also true as Spring plants emerge. When plants begin to break through the soil, early Spring plants can be at risk of being eaten.

Here is our list of rabbit resistant plants that attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to their nectar-rich blooms. And plants where you’ll see bees and butterflies bounce from blossom to blossom. Take a look at these plants. And be sure to let us know what you think.

Monarda

Monarda is also known as Bee Balm, Bergamot, and Osego Tea. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to Monarda because of the attractive flowers and fragrant foliage. Most Monarda grow in full Sun, however, a few Monarda will grow in a garden area with part shade and part Sun conditions.

Purple Rooster Monarda

A part shade and part Sun to full Sun perennial. Royal purple flowers bloom over the Summer months. Purple Rooster Monarda grows in zones 4 to 9 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 3 feet tall. Blooms from early through late Summer. Tolerant of normal and clay soil conditions. Beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates wet site and seaside/salt conditions.

Grand Mum Monarda

Another part shade and part Sun to full Sun perennial. The Grand Mum Monarda grows in zones 3 to 9 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 15 to 18 inches tall. Mauve pink blooms appear from early through late Summer. Tolerant of normal and clay soil conditions. Beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates wet site conditions.

2. Aquilegia

Aquilegia is also known as Columbine. Most are Spring to Summer blooming plants.

Clementine Red Aquilegia

A mostly shady to full Sun perennial. Clementine Red Aquilegia has large fuchsia red flowers with lacy green large-leaved foliage. Grows in zones 3 to 9 in mostly shady to full Sun garden area. Reaches 18 inches tall. Red blooms appear mid Spring to early Summer. Beneficial for Pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade conditions.

Blue Jay Aquilegia

A mostly shady to full Sun perennial. Blooms are 3 inch violet-blue and white with frilly glowing yellow stamens. A striking combination of colors, the Blue Jay Aquilegia will naturalize in a shady, woodland area. Grows in zones 3 to 9 in mostly shady to full Sun gardens. Reaches 24 to 28 inches tall. Blue and white blooms appear in mid Spring to early Summer. Beneficial for pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerant of normal, acidic, and sandy soil conditions. Tolerates shade conditions.

3. Digitalis

Digitalis is also known as Foxglove. Plants are tall with tubular flowers that add vertical accent to your garden. Tubular blooms attract hummingbirds and bees. And deer and rabbits tend to leave digitalis alone.

Snow Thimble Digitalis

A mostly shady to mostly sunny perennial. A pure, snow-white flower that brings a cooling effect to a garden over the Summer months. Snow Thimble Digitalis is a perfect addition to a Moonlight Garden. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in mostly shady to mostly Sunny gardens. Reaches 36 inches tall. Beneficial for pollinators and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade conditions.White blooms appear early to mid Summer.

Dalmation Peach Digitalis

A mostly shady to mostly sunny perennial. The Dalmation Peach Digitalis is a classic cottage style plant. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in mostly shady to mostly Sunny gardens. Reaches 2 feet tall. Soft pink-peach flowers with orange speckled throats early to midSummer. Beneficial for pollinators and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerant of normal and acidic soil conditions. Tolerates shade conditions.

4. Anemone

Anemone is also known as Japanese Anemone and Windflower. Late Summer color and continuing into the Fall season, Anemone produces many blooms. Flower colors range from white to pink and rose. Most Anemone grow in part shade and part sun to full Sun conditions. Many are both deer and rabbit resistant. And attract pollinators and butterflies.

Honorine Jobert Anemone

A part shade and part Sun to full Sun perennial. An Anemone with white elegant flowers surrounded by frilly yellow stamens with chartreuse centers. The 2 to 3 inch flowers appear on the Honorine Jobert Anemone. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 3 to 4 feet tall. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates wet site conditions. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

Robustissima Anemone

A perennial for part shade and part Sun to full Sun gardens. Blooms are soft, pink cup-shaped single flowers. The Robustissima Anemone provides late season color. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 3 to 4 feet tall. Blooms from late Summer through late Fall. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates wet site conditions. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

Margarette Anemone japonica

Margarette Anemone #PollinatorPlants #RabbitResistant #PlantsResistanttoRabbits #PlantsforPollinators #Gardening #Perennials — Margarette Anemone

For garden areas with part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Double rich rose blooms with yellow eyes appear early through late Fall. Margarette Anemone japonica provides the garden with Fall color. Grows in zones 5 to 8 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 24 inches tall. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates wet site conditions. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

5. Astilbe

Astilbe is also known as Perennial Spirea. This perennial has plume-like flowers that bloom in a range of colors. Foliage has lush deeply-cut green to bronze color. Grow Astilbe in full shade or part shade and part Sun. Most Astilbe plants bloom over the Summer. Astilbe plants attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. And are resistant to deer and rabbits.

Chocolate Shogun Astilbe

For a garden with full shade to mostly sunny areas. Blooms are pink-blushed flower panicles over glossy chocolate-bronze foliage. A striking flower foliage combination, Chocolate Shogun Astilbe is a perfect fit for the shade garden. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade to mostly Sunny gardens. Reaches 20 to 24 inches tall. Pink blushed flowers bloom from early to late Summer. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates wet sites, Sun, and drought conditions once established. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

Bridal Veil Astilbe

A full shade to part shade and part Sun garden perennial. Pure white plumes over lacy deep greenish bronze foliage illuminate the shade garden. Bridal Veil Astilbe is a great addition to an all white garden. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun gardens. Reaches 28 inches tall. White flowers bloom from early to late Summer. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade and wet site conditions. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

Maggie Daley Astilbe

For garden areas with full shade to part shade and part Sun. Narrow dense and fuzzy pink-lavender plumes over glossy dark green lacy foliage. Maggie Daley Astilbe is a tough perennial that can withstand drier conditions once it is established. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 28 inches tall. Pink blooms appear mid to late Summer. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade and wet site conditions. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

6. Cimicifuga

Cimicifuga is also known as Black Snakeroot, Black Bugbane, and Actaea. Impressive stature and stunning blooms, Cimicfuga has finely cut fern-like foliage. Blooms are spires of fragrant blooms. Prefers consistent moisture for best results.

Pink Spike Cimicifuga

A mostly shady to mostly sunny perennial. Honey-scented pale pink spires tower over bronze-purple foliage in late Summer. Pink Spike Cimicifuga grows in zone 4 to 8 in mostly shady to mostly Sunny gardens. Reaches 3 feet tall. Finely cut fern-like foliage. Fragrant pink blooms begin in late Summer until early Fall. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade, wet site, and seaside/salt conditions.

Hillside Black Beauty Cimicifuga

A perennial for mostly shady to mostly sunny gardens. Foliage is dark purple, nearly black and finely cut. Retains its foliage color all season long, Hillside Black Beauty Cimicifuga has floral spires. Fragrant white blooms between late Summer until early Fall. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in mostly shade to mostly sunny gardens. Reaches 3 feet tall. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade, wet site, and seaside/salt conditions. And with these colors, Hillside Black Beauty looks best in a light shade garden.

7. Geranium

Also known as Cranesbill and Perennial Geranium. Jewel-toned flowers with a mounding growth habit, Geraniums thrive in Sun and shade. Resistant to both deer and rabbits, and attract beneficial pollinators and butterflies.

Purple Who Geranium

Perennial for mostly shady to full Sun garden areas. An attractive flower, the Purple Who Geranium foliage turns shades of red in the Autumn. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in mostly shady to full Sun gardens. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall. Pink purple blooms appear from late Spring to late Summer. And especially beneficial for pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade conditions. Plant Purple Who as a ground cover.

Geranium Brookside

For mostly shady to full Sun gardens. Long-blooming sapphire blue flowers with white eyes cover Brookside Geranium. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in mostly shady to full Sun areas, then reaching between 18 to 24 inches tall. Blue blooms appear beginning late Spring and last until mid Summer. The foliage is cut lacy dark green turning reddish-orange over the Fall season. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade conditions. And tolerant of normal, sandy, and acidic soil conditions.

Geranium phaeum Samobor

Another Geranium that likes full shade to full Sun garden areas. Royal purple flowers bloom over maple leaf shaped cut foliage. Samobor Geranium works well in a Woodland garden setting. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to full Sun. Reaches 16 to 20 inches tall. Purple blooms appear beginning late Spring and last until mid Summer. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade conditions. Tolerant of normal, sandy, and acidic soil conditions.

8. Bergenia

Bergenia is also known as Saxifrage, Winter Bergenia, and Pigsqueak. Attractive foliage and flowers, Bergenia has leathery, waxy leaves. Plant Bergenia in Sun and shade fill gardens. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to both deer and rabbits.

Dragonfly Sakura Bergenia

Perennial for mostly shady to full Sun gardens. Blooms are rosy-pink clusters of semi-double blooms. Dragonfly Sakura Bergenia are Spring blooming perennials. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in mostly shady to full Sun gardens. Reaches 10 inches tall. Pink blooms appear early to mid Spring. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade, dry shade, and seaside/salt conditions. 8 inch leaves are thick, waxy green foliage that turns deep plum tones over the Winter season.

Winterglow Bergenia

Another perennial that grows in mostly shady to full Sun garden areas. Dark rose-pink flowers bloom over heart shaped leathery leaves. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in mostly shady to full Sun gardens. Reaches 12 to 15 inches tall. Dark rose pink blooms begin from mid through late Spring. Winterglow attracts butterflies and is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade, dry shade, and seaside/salt conditions. Tolerant of normal, acidic, and clay soil conditions. Leaves turn deep red shade in the Fall.

9. Ajuga

Ajuga are also known as Carpet Bugle plants. A ground cover, Ajuga is hardy and foot traffic tolerant. Up to 5 inches floral spikes will blanket the ground cover in May and June. A dense ground cover that blocks weeds from growing.

Bronze Beauty Ajuga

For full shade to full Sun gardens. A burgundy bronze foliage plant with blue flowering spikes. The Bronze Beauty Ajuga works beautifully in a rock garden setting or in the landscape. Grows in zones 3 to 9 in full shade to full Sun gardens. Reaches 3 inches tall. Blue lavender blooms appear in late Spring and early Summer. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade, dry shade, seaside/salt and foot traffic conditions. And tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions.

Genevensis Ajuga

Plant in full shade to full Sun garden areas. A mat-like lush green ground cover for sunny or shady gardens. Genevensis Ajuga has blue floral spikes appearing in May and June. Grows in zones 3 to 9 in full shade to full Sun gardens. Reaches 3 inches tall. Blue blooms appear in late Spring and early Summer. Beneficial for pollinators and attracts hummingbirds. Resistant to both deer and rabbits. Tolerates shade, dry shade, seaside/salt and foot traffic conditions. Tolerant of normal, clay, and acidic soil conditions. Plant along walkways or around stepping stones.

Our list of rabbit resistant plants that attract pollinators includes plants that thrive in shady garden conditions. These plants have blooming periods from early Spring and continue through the Fall season. Check your local garden center for additional rabbit resistant plants which pollinators are attracted to.

Interested in pollinator gardening? If you found this helpful . . .