5 Best Bunny Resistant Flowers | 5 Perennials Rabbits Avoid

Check Price on Amazon

Echinacea LAKOTA ‘Santa Fe’ stands out in the bunny-resistant category because its rough, hairy stems and pungent foliage naturally repel rabbits while its vibrant pink-orange blooms keep the garden showy from summer through fall. This compact Proven Winners selection stays tidy at 12-16 inches tall, making it an excellent choice for the front or middle of a sunny border where rabbits tend to patrol. Owner reports consistently praise how well it holds its ground in areas with heavy rabbit pressure, with many noting that neighboring plants get nibbled while the coneflowers remain untouched.

The #1 size container arrives fully rooted and ready for immediate planting, which reduces transplant shock and helps the plant establish its protective sap and leaf toughness faster than smaller plugs. Several buyers mentioned receiving plants with buds already forming, a sign of healthy nursery stock. Designed for Zones 4-9, it adapts well across a wide climate range and requires only moderate watering once settled. The lightly fragrant flowers also draw butterflies and hummingbirds, adding ecological value beyond simple pest resistance.

One caution that appears in the feedback: a buyer in Northern NJ reported that deer did eventually sample their plant, which reminds us that no flower is 100% rabbit-proof under extreme food scarcity. Still, the overwhelming majority of reviewers describe it as reliably left alone by rabbits, making it one of the safest bets in this lineup. For gardeners who want a compact, colorful, and genuinely low-maintenance perennial that rabbits routinely bypass, this coneflower delivers consistent results.

Check Price on Amazon

Hellebores are legendary in the rabbit-resistant world because their leathery, toxic foliage is unpalatable to almost all browsing mammals, and ‘Rose Quartz’ raises the bar with elegant double blooms in pale pink edged in dark rose. This Winter Jewels selection flowers very early in spring, often pushing through late snow, when rabbits are hungry but still avoid its tough leaves. Several reviewers noted that deer and rabbits completely ignored their Hellebores while decimating nearby plants, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable choice for problem areas.

The plant ships as a fully rooted quart-sized perennial and arrives in seasonal condition — it may be dormant and trimmed if ordered between November and March, which is standard practice for live Hellebores. Buyers consistently praised the packaging, describing thick cardboard, straw wrapping, and moist soil that kept specimens healthy even through freezing temperatures. It thrives in part to full shade, making it one of the few genuinely rabbit-resistant options for woodland gardens, north-facing foundations, and under-tree plantings where rabbits like to hide and browse.

The only real downside is the shipping restriction: this plant cannot be delivered to AZ, AK, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, UT, OR, WA, or HI due to agricultural regulations. A few buyers also felt the quart size looked smaller than expected, though most agreed the root system was robust and the plant established quickly. If you have deep shade and persistent rabbits, this Lenten Rose is one of the most dependable long-term solutions available.

Check Price on Amazon

Lamium ‘Purple Dragon’ earns its keep in rabbit-resistant gardens through a combination of rough, hairy foliage and a strong lavender-like scent that rabbits find unappealing. This low-growing groundcover reaches only 4-8 inches tall but spreads generously, filling bare soil with silver-and-green variegated leaves that brighten shady corners. The deep purple flower clusters appear in spring and then rebloom sporadically into fall, providing extended color without becoming a rabbit target.

Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned that deer and rabbits ignored their Lamium even when other plants in the same bed were being eaten. One buyer noted the strong lavender smell as the likely deterrent, while others simply reported that the plants “flourished” while local wildlife looked elsewhere. The packaging consistently earned high marks — plants arrived with moist soil, intact stems, and no spillage. Several gardeners used it successfully in planters and window boxes where rabbits could easily reach but chose not to sample.

Lamium prefers moderate moisture and part shade, making it an ideal companion for Hellebores and other shade-loving perennials. It is not a plant for hot, dry, full-sun locations, where its foliage may scorch and its growth will slow. A few buyers wished the pot size were larger, but the vigorous root system and quick establishment after planting outweighed that concern for most. For anyone looking to carpet bare soil under trees or along shady walkways with a rabbit-proof option, ‘Purple Dragon’ delivers reliable performance with very little maintenance.

Check Price on Amazon

For covering large areas or poor soil where individual plants would be too expensive, this 1-pound wildflower seed mix offers an economical way to establish a rabbit-resistant meadow. The blend includes Lupine, Foxglove, Blanketflower, and Zinnia — species with textured foliage or bitter compounds that rabbits and deer typically avoid. Several buyers reported successful germination in challenging sites where grass would not grow, with the resulting flowers providing season-long color that local wildlife left alone.

Germination timing is the main variable here. Multiple reviewers noted that the seeds took longer to sprout than expected, and a couple expressed disappointment when nothing emerged. However, those who were patient reported that once established, the plants created a dense, vibrant display that held up well against rabbit pressure. A buyer who planted in two separate locations saw sprouts in both after a slower start, and importantly, the deer and rabbits did not bother the mature flowers. The mix is designed for partial shade and tolerates dry conditions, which makes it suitable for areas that are difficult to irrigate regularly.

The primary trade-off is predictability. Seed mixes inherently produce variable results based on soil temperature, rainfall, and local conditions. A small number of buyers received bags with low germination rates and felt the price per successful plant was high. Still, the majority of feedback highlights the blend’s deer- and rabbit-resistant performance once established. For gardeners willing to wait and sow generously, this mix transforms unused patches into low-maintenance, bunny-proof blooms that return year after year from hardy perennials.

Check Price on Amazon

Liatris spicata, commonly called Blazing Star or Gayfeather, offers a unique vertical silhouette that rabbits tend to ignore thanks to its grass-like foliage and fuzzy, bottlebrush flower spikes. This 5-bulb set from Marde Ross & Company includes the largest size corms, giving each plant a strong start toward its mature height of up to 40 inches. The velvety purple blooms open from top to bottom in summer, creating a striking textural contrast in borders while providing late-season nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Owner reports are largely positive, with several buyers showing photos of all five bulbs sprouting within a week of planting. The bulbs are described as healthy and vigorous, with one reviewer noting they were a “no brainer to plant” — simply place them 3-4 inches deep and water. Another buyer who planted in a large pot reported excellent results. Liatris tolerates poor soil, sun to part shade, and spans Zones 3-9, making it one of the most adaptable options in this guide. Its deer resistance is well documented, and its rough, upright growth habit gives rabbits little reason to investigate.

The main risk reported is inconsistent bulb quality due to early shipping. One buyer received bulbs that had to be refrigerated for a month before planting, and two of the five were rotten — none sprouted. This appears to be an exception rather than the norm, but it highlights the importance of checking bulb firmness upon arrival and planting promptly when weather permits. For the price of a single coffee run, this set provides five tall, rabbit-resistant perennials that return bigger each year, making it a smart entry-level choice for anyone new to bunny-proof gardening.