One of the most effective ways to stop rabbits from eating your hydrangeas is to install fencing around your garden. It provides a permanent barrier that will keep rabbits out. You can use a short fence if wild rabbits are the only animals eating your hydrangeas, but if you have larger animals in your area, you may need a taller fence.
Another effective way to protect your hydrangeas is to use wire plant protectors. These square plant protectors can be placed around your hydrangeas to keep rabbits away. They are easy to install and can be pushed into the ground to prevent rabbits from digging under them. Wire plant protectors are particularly useful for small hydrangea plants that are vulnerable to rabbit damage.
Key Takeaways
- Installing fencing around your garden is an effective way to stop rabbits from eating your hydrangeas.
- Wire plant protectors are an easy and effective way to protect small hydrangea plants.
- There are several other methods to stop rabbits from eating your hydrangeas, including using repellents and planting rabbit-resistant plants.
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1. Wire Plant Protectors
Wire plant protectors are a good way to protect small hydrangea plants. These square plant protectors will go all the way around your hydrangeas to stop the bunnies away.
Push them into the ground to stop rabbits from digging under.
Check out these wire plant protectors on Amazon here.
2. Trunk protectors
Trunk protectors are a great way to protect more advanced hydrangeas. Wrap these protectors around the solid trunks to stop rabbits from chewing on the bark.
Rabbits can chew all the way around the stems ringbarking and killing the tree.
Check out trunk protectors here on Amazon.
3. Bunny barricades
Round bunny barricades are a great way to keep rabbits away from your hydrangeas. These can even protect hydrangeas as they grow taller. They come with pins to hold them on the ground.
Check out bunny barricades here on Amazon.
4. Electronic rabbit repellers
Motion detecting rabbit repellers emit powerful ultrasonic sound and flashing LED light to scare rabbits away. When a bunny hops by it will be scared away before it can get its teeth into your hydrangeas.
You can get solar powered and weather proof versions that will keep in good condition outside.
Check out electronic rabbit repellers here on Amazon.
5. Fencing
Solid fencing around your whole yard is a great way to keep rabbits away from your hydrangeas. A solid fence that even extends underground will keep rabbits out. This is a good solution for small yards and can save your plants.
6. Motion activated sprinklers
Motion activated sprinklers are a great way to scare rabbits away from your hydrangeas without harming them. These solar powered sprinklers will turn on when the rabbits arrive. These sprinklers will squirt a high powered jet for around 5 seconds to scare rabbits away.
Check out motion activated sprinklers here on Amazon.
7. Owl decoys
Owl decoys or fake owls are a great way to keep rabbits out of your yard. These natural predators of rabbits can be a great way to scare them away. Place them near your hydrangeas to scare bunnies away.
Check out owl decoys here on Amazon.
8. Garlic spray
Make garlic spray at home to keep rabbits away from your hydrangeas. Check out this simple recipe you can make at home.
Add 4 cups of water to a saucepan and bring it to the boil. Add 3 tablespoons of garlic powder and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. Let the mixture cool and then put it in a spray bottle.
You can spray this mixture on the ground around your hydrangeas. Make sure you cover the whole root zone and form a ring around the plant.
Spray the mixture again after rain or every week to make sure the smell stays strong enough to keep rabbits away.
9. Vinegar repellant
Vinegar sprays are a great way to keep rabbits out of the garden. Mix a 50:50 mix of white vinegar with water and place it in a spray bottle.
You can spray this all around your hydrangeas. Spray it on the ground and avoid spraying it on the leaves.
10. Chili powder and flakes
Rabbits hate the smell of chili so using it around your hydrangeas is a great way to keep them away. You can sprinkle chili flakes around the plant or add chili powder into a mix with garlic.
To make a chili and garlic spray, add 4 cups of water to a saucepan and bring it to the boil. Add 3 tablespoons of garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of chili powder and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. Let the mixture cool and then put it in a spray bottle.
Spray it all around on the ground near your hydrangeas.
11. Wolf or coyote urine spray
Spraying wolf or coyote urine around your hydrangeas is a great way to keep rabbits away. Wolves, foxes and coyotes are natural predators of rabbits. When they smell these predators they will keep far away.
Check out predator urine here on Amazon.
12. Blood meal
Blood meal is a natural fertilizer made from dried animal blood. This can be sprinkled around the outside of your hydrangeas to keep rabbits away. If your hydrangeas have started to flower, sprinkle it outside the root zone to avoid adding too much nitrogen to the plant and reducing flowering.
Rabbits hate the smell of blood as it is a sign that a predator may have been around.
Check out blood meal fertilizer here on Amazon.
For more on what smells keep rabbits away, check out this article: 11 Smells that Rabbits Hate | How to Keep Them Out of Your Yard
Check out this quick video with some easy tips to keep rabbits out of your yard.
Summary
Hydrangeas are a tasty treat for rabbits who will chew on the leaves, stems and trunks if they are hungry enough. Barriers and smells that deter rabbits are easy practical ways to keep them away. The best way to keep rabbits away is a solid fence around your yard. If your yard is too large, look out for wire cages or trunk barriers.
Happy growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals commonly eat hydrangeas?
Rabbits and deer are the most common animals that eat hydrangeas. Other animals that may eat hydrangeas include groundhogs, squirrels, and chipmunks.
What are some evergreen shrubs that rabbits won’t eat?
Some evergreen shrubs that rabbits won’t eat include boxwood, holly, and yew. These shrubs have a bitter taste that rabbits don’t like.
Do rabbits eat limelight hydrangeas?
Yes, rabbits may eat limelight hydrangeas. It’s important to protect your limelight hydrangeas from rabbits and other animals if you want them to thrive.
Are there any perennial flowers that rabbits won’t eat?
Yes, there are some perennial flowers that rabbits won’t eat. These include daffodils, alliums, and foxgloves. However, it’s important to note that rabbits may still eat these flowers if they are very hungry.
What repels rabbits from eating flowers?
There are several natural and chemical repellents that can help repel rabbits from eating flowers. Some natural repellents include planting garlic or onions near your flowers, using hot pepper spray, or planting herbs like rosemary or sage. Chemical repellents include products like Liquid Fence or Repels All.
How can I keep animals from eating my hydrangeas?
The best way to keep animals from eating your hydrangeas is to use physical barriers like fences or netting. You can also try using natural or chemical repellents to deter animals from eating your flowers. Additionally, planting companion plants that rabbits and deer don’t like can help protect your hydrangeas.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.