It is hardy in USDA zone 7 and grows up to 10 inches tall, producing pink, mauve, purple, white, apricot or red flowers. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet. Bougainvilleas are tropical plants that thrive in dry, hot conditions, and require a. is a vigorous woody vine characterized by scores of papery flowers in shades of magenta, purple, sunset orange and white. One of the most common questions asked by rabbit owners is whether or not their pet can eat bougainvillea. A diet that is high in fiber helps keep a rabbits gut moving and prevents problems such as constipation and enteritis. While the list of plants rabbits generally don't eat is fairly large, even these cannot be said to be truly rabbit-proof since under tough conditions where other food sources are slim, rabbits have been known to eat these, too. Here is the listing of the plants which the deer do not seem to like well enough to severely damage by eating. Grass hays, such as timothy, brome, oat, and meadow hays, are the best type of hay to feed your rabbit because they are low in calories and high in fiber. @media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) { When feeding bougainvillea to your rabbit, it is important to only give them a small amount at first so that they can get used to it. It is a woody shrub that is native to South America but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including the United States. Camellias prefer similar conditions to rhododendrons, but are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9. The Best Do Rabbits Eat Bougainvillea References. They also enjoy leafy garden vegetables and houseplants if there's nothing more palatable on the menu. display: block; These insects burrow into leaves, causing winding tunnels and giving leaves a bare, skeletonized look before they drop from the plant. In difficult conditions, rabbits will eat almost any plants, but in normal circumstances, there are some plants that rabbits find so tasty that they are drawn to landscapes containing them. Low-maintenance plants that sport flowers in a huge variety of colors, petunias are much loved by garden enthusiasts the world over. It is rare for a small wild predator to attack a domestic pet, and virtually unheard of for any human to ever be threatened by one. Big periwinkle is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. This often deters rabbitsunless there is little else to eat. Plants for a Future: Ageratum Conyzoides - L. Texas A&M University Extension: Verbena - Queen of Summer Beauty, Fine Gardening: Genus Aquilegia (Columbine), How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. Pellets should make up only a small portion of a rabbits diet, about cup per day for every 5 pounds of body weight. .mukws63de13cdea057 { Impatiens and verbena provide more attractive options, bringing color to your garden border while also repelling rabbits. Cottontail rabbits eat a wide variety of plant foods including grasses, sedges, sprouts, leaves, fruits, buds, and bark. Fuzzy or thorny plants: Deer do not like plants that are fuzzy, such as lamb's ear, or prickly such as spirea or roses, unless they are desperate. The begonias are also toxic and cause different health problems to them. But did you know that rabbits also enjoy eating flowers? A healthy diet for a pet rabbit includes hay, a small amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. You can create a physical barrier around your plant by spreading dry chalk, crushed eggshells or sharp cinders around the stem. The worlds most famous flower is a popular choice with gardeners around the world, and its also perfectly safe for your rabbit to eat. University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Bougainvillea -- Bougainvillea Spp. Daisies are regularly listed as safe flowers for bunnies to eat. Why is brocolli poisonous? What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Many keen gardeners will attest that sunflowers are a common target for wild rabbits, so it should come as no surprise to find out that these gorgeous yellow flowers are safe for your pet to eat. For a low-maintenance annual that deters rabbits, try verbena, recommends Texas A&M University Extension. insecticidal soap, tsp. Pretty and fragrant, lavender is used in humans to relieve anxiety, stress and more. Rabbits ate bottom of Bougainvillea, but not native Cocoplum What are they after? There are many people who will tell you that rabbits eat any plant if they get hungry or thirsty enough. Alternatively, supervise them closely whenever theyre allowed out to explore, and redirect them towards safer chewing options if they start targeting your much-loved flowers. Plants that are stressed due to improper cultural care are more susceptible to attacks from pests. Theyre also a favorite snack for wild rabbits, and another flower your domesticated bunny will love to eat. The best type of hay for rabbits is timothy hay, which is available at many pet stores. However, we do our best to select alternative plants with similar characteristics of the desired look, shape, and size, that have proven less-appetizing to the pesky rabbits. Should I supplement my rabbits diet with bougainvillea? How does one identify rabbit damage and what do they eat? But most animals are okay and safe around the plant. Legume hays, such as alfalfa, clover, and soybean hays, are high in calories and should be fed only to young rabbits or rabbits that are underweight. About the Author: Leigh A. Gevelinger, ASLA, LEED-AP, Landscape Architect and President of Coastal Vista Design, Inc. CoastalVistaDesign@gmail.com, Tagged With: environment, landscaping, nature, wildlife Filed Under: Environment & Wildlife, Island Living. Younger bunnies need more protein because they're growing, so they need to eat more pellets. But rabbits have two pairs of both upper and lower incisors, while rodents have only one set. If you inhale or swallow Bacillus thuringiensis, contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222. While cute, these rabbits have been the cause of much headache and expense for homeowners and landscape installers alike. @media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) { display: block; document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad0e9deb4298cc7e2e2b547c2f5cdae4" );document.getElementById("c5d3bdb794").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); SmallPetJournal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca. The thorns and the taste should be enough to have it survive deer and the occasional rabbit attacks but the damage will be minimal and your plant should spring back more vigorously than before. Perennials that repel rabbits will come back each year, eliminating the need to replant. Pick slug and snails off by hand in the evening and drown in soapy water or crush. Repeat weekly until pest is under control. A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. To stop animals from eating bougainvillea leaves you can set up an artificial barrier such as a fence or wires so it would be more difficult to enter. .ibmks63de13cde9f74 { Yes. display: block; Finally, please note that you should never give your bunny flowers that have been treated with pesticides as the nasty chemicals they contain can be harmful to bunnies. A variety of delicious, young, green plants that we commonly plant to beautify our yards and streetscapes. .ibmks63de13cde9f74 { } Having these in your garden may actually convince them to go elsewhere: It is not difficult to identify when rabbits have been eating your plants. Shrubs Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata) Boxleaf Euonymus (Euonymus japonica 'Microphylla') Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Always follow label instructions exactly. One fragrant perennial option to keep rabbits away is echinacea. Lets take a closer look at some popular flower varieties to find out whether theyre safe for your pet to nibble on. Yes, rabbits will eat bougainvillea, but not all parts of the plant are safe for them to consume. } While bougainvillea does not contain any poisonous compounds, it is not particularly nutritious for rabbits. If wild rabbits have ever found their way into your garden, youll be well aware that bunnies can develop quite a taste for those flowers youve spent months growing. There are some animals, like dogs, who might get an irritated stomach if they consume the flower of the plant. What happens if a rabbit eats too much bougainvillea? .lmyqt63de13cdea00c { We have wild rabbits. What this discrepancy demonstrates is that there is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. They are herbivores and can make a quick meal of your garden. However, not all flowers and plants are safe for rabbits to eat in fact, some are highly toxic so its essential to be aware of what flowers rabbits can eat. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Rabbits also like pellets, but they should only eat a small amount because they are high in calories. If you notice signs of digging and bulbs or roots removed from the ground, this is usually not rabbit damage. Bunnies can eat rose petals and all parts of the rose bush, so if youve got a rose garden youd like to keep pristine, keep your rabbit well away from it. Rabbits are herbivores, which means that their diet consists of plant material. Bougainvillea are also known as nopal cactus or hedgehog cactus. And if you insist on planting some carnations in your garden, make sure to keep your pet well away from the area. Fencing. The begonias are also toxic and cause different health problems to them. However, bougainvillea is not a good source of nutrition for rabbits, so it should not make up a large part of their diet. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Aphids, mealybugs, scale and whiteflies can be addressed with an insecticidal soap and spray application. They will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the winter. Mix tsp. However, some sources list French and African marigolds as unsafe for bunnies, so its best to steer clear of these varieties. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); } Do rabbits eat bougainvillea? Environmentally Responsible