As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that rabbits absolutely love to dine on impatiens. These beautiful flowering plants, also known as busy Lizzies, are a favorite snack for these furry creatures. It can be quite disheartening to see your carefully tended impatiens being devoured by rabbits, especially when you have put so much effort into creating a beautiful garden.
Impatiens have soft, succulent stems and tender leaves that are like a gourmet meal for rabbits. These plants are often one of the first targets for hungry bunnies in gardens. It seems like they have a sixth sense for finding the most delicious plants to munch on.
However, there is one plant that rabbits tend to pass by, and that is the vinca plant. Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is a lovely flowering plant with leathery leaves and tough stems. It has a similar appearance to impatiens, but rabbits seem to be less interested in it. Perhaps the texture and taste of the leaves are not as appealing to them.
One of the great benefits of planting vinca instead of impatiens is that vinca plants are not bothered by the disease problems that have plagued impatiens in many gardens. Impatiens are susceptible to a fungal disease called impatiens downy mildew, which can quickly decimate an entire bed of impatiens. This disease can be devastating for gardeners who have invested time and money into cultivating their impatiens.
Vinca, on the other hand, is known for its hardiness and resistance to diseases. It can thrive even in challenging conditions and is not typically affected by common garden diseases. This makes it a great alternative for gardeners who want to enjoy colorful blooms without the worry of disease.
In my own experience, I have found that planting vinca instead of impatiens can make a significant difference in the rabbit population in my garden. While I still see rabbits hopping around, they seem less interested in the vinca plants. This has allowed me to enjoy the beauty of the flowers without constantly worrying about them being eaten.
If you are dealing with a rabbit problem in your garden and want to deter them from munching on your plants, consider planting vinca instead of impatiens. Not only will you have a plant that rabbits are less likely to eat, but you will also have a plant that is more resistant to diseases. It’s a win-win situation for both you and your garden.
To summarize, bunnies do enjoy eating impatiens, but they are less likely to bother vinca plants. By choosing vinca instead of impatiens, you can deter rabbits from feasting on your garden while also enjoying the benefits of a disease-resistant plant.
