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Deer and Rabbit resistant flowers #893316

Asked February 28, 2025, 9:46 AM EST

I have planted impatiens in my whiskey barrels and planters each summer but am having issues with with rabbits and deer eating the blossoms. Do you have some suggestions for a flower that would bloom all summer like the impatiens and yet the deer and rabbits would not eat? Thanks,

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi,

Thanks for your question, and I'm sorry the critters are eating your flowers. Very frustrating!

There's a good, free resource from University of Minnesota Extension called The Best Plants for 30 Tough Sites. Page 14 lists annuals (and perennials) that are deer resistant including geraniums, marigolds, wax begonia, sweet alyssum, ageratum, yarrow and blue salvia (the salvia cultivar called Black & Blue truly does attract hummingbirds). The best solution for rabbits is to keep food out of their reach, but when that's not possible you could try experimenting to see if deer resistant flowers are also unattractive to rabbits.

Good luck!


Ellen Tveit Replied February 28, 2025, 9:36 PM EST

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