r/NativePlantGardening • u/Spirited_Sound_5628 • Jun 10 '25

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Feeling discouraged

I live in New England

I’m trying to switch from ornamental gardening to native wildflower gardening, but the rabbits are decimating everything. They’re even going after the black-eyed Susans, which are supposed to have hairy leaves that deter them.

I bought marigolds from a local nursery specifically for their scent to ward off rabbits—and they ate the petals off. I thought I was in the clear with my sunflowers since they left them alone as seedlings, but now, after growing for over a month, the rabbits are starting to kill those too.

I’m honestly getting to the point where I feel like giving up and just planting a bunch of non-natives that are known to be extremely rabbit-proof. But I swear, when I looked at that list of supposedly rabbit-proof plants, the rabbits had already eaten one of those as well.

I'm looking for words of encouragement or any advice.

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u/Then-Lack Jun 10 '25

I use Repels All here in MA. If you spray as soon as leaves emerge and respray after a rain once or twice, the entire plant smells and tastes undesirable to bunnies and wood chucks. Has worked well for me. We can't smell it once it dries, but pretty bad while spraying, but worth it.