What can I do to prevent rabbits from eating my plants — they seem to be causing more damage this year in my garden. What are some plants that will be less likely to be eaten by rabbits?

— Sue Johnson, Glencoe

As with any pest problem in the garden, it is important to correctly identify what is causing the problem before implementing any control efforts.

Rabbits are easy to spot in the garden, and I see them at all times of day in my garden. Damage caused by them appears as neatly clipped stems on tender shoots in spring and small, chiseled gnaw marks on woody plants in summer, fall and winter. Winter damage to bark can occur high up on the plant if there is a lot of snow.

You may also be seeing deer damage in your garden. As deer feed, they jerk or tear the plant parts being eaten and tend to leave ragged ends where leaves or twigs are removed.

Cottontail rabbits generally live less than two years in the wild, but they can raise from two to six litters a year. The young leave the nest in two to three weeks.

Rabbits generally spend their entire lives in an area of 10 acres or less, so if there is suitable habitat in the vicinity of your garden, you are likely to encounter them. Rabbits like open, grassy areas with cover such as that provided by the groupings of shrubs, ground covers, grasses or brush piles, and they can get through surprisingly small openings in fences. During cold weather, they use natural cavities and the burrows of other animals for their dens.

The best way to prevent damage from rabbits is to exclude them with a fence. Use 2-foot-tall chicken wire fence with the bottom edge buried 2 to 3 inches deep. The wire mesh should have holes no more than an inch wide.

To protect trees in winter, surround the trunk with a cylinder of 1/4-inch wire hardware cloth mesh spaced 1 to 2 inches out from the bark and high enough to allow for snow cover.

Another option is to spray repellents that make the plants distasteful to rabbits. You will need to reapply these after each rain and to protect new growth as the plants continue growing.

No plant is rabbit-proof, but some are less appealing than others. Here are some plants that rabbits may be less inclined to eat: Annuals such as geranium (Pelargonium), ageratum and wax begonia; perennials, including hardy geranium, epimedium, bee balm, peony, Russian sage, catmint and perennial salvia; bulbs, daffodils and ornamental onions; and vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, squash and peppers.

If you have plant or gardening questions, contact the Chicago Botanic Garden's Plant Information Service at 847-835-0972.

Tim Johnson is director of horticulture for the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

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