What To Plant In Minnesota To Reduce Attracting Deer And Rabbits

Gardening in Minnesota brings specific challenges. Cold winters, a wide range of USDA hardiness zones (mostly zones 3a through 5b), and abundant wildlife mean you need to pick plants that survive the climate and discourage deer and rabbits. This article provides practical, research-based plant recommendations, landscape strategies, and maintenance tips to reduce browsing and nibbling while still creating an attractive, resilient yard.

Understand Deer and Rabbit Feeding Behavior in Minnesota

Deer and rabbits are both browsers, but they have different habits and preferences that affect plant selection.

Deer habits

Deer are browsers that favor tender shoots, leaves, buds, fruit, and flowers. In Minnesota they will browse:

• on woody plants, especially tender new growth;
• on ornamentals such as hostas, daylilies, tulips, roses, and many shrubs during late winter and spring when other food is scarce;
• near forest edges and in yards with cover where they feel safe.

Deer pressure varies by area and year. Heavy deer populations will eat plants labeled “deer-resistant” if food is limited.

Rabbit habits

Eastern cottontail rabbits dominate residential damage in Minnesota. They feed on:

• low-growing herbaceous plants and seedlings;
• tender shoots and bark of small trees and shrubs, particularly in winter when they strip the lower trunks;
• protected areas near brush piles or hedges.

Rabbits prefer low plants and will often avoid tall or spiny plants. Like deer, hungry rabbits will sample plants that are normally avoided.

Principles for Choosing Plants That Reduce Attraction

No plant is completely “deer-proof” or “rabbit-proof.” Under heavy pressure, both animals will eat many kinds of vegetation. That said, you can reduce attraction by following these principles:

• Favor plants with strong scents, fuzzy or tough foliage, bitter or resinous sap, or thorny structures.
• Choose native and adapted species that tolerate Minnesota winters and recover from light browsing.
• Mix plant types and layers so animals cannot find a dense buffet of preferred species.
• Provide seasonal interest with plants that retain attractive form or fruit when ornamentals are gone; bitter or astringent summer blooms are often ignored.
• Combine plant choice with physical measures (fencing, trunk guards) and repellents for best results.

Trees and Large Shrubs: Lower-Risk Options for Minnesota

Choose woody plants with thick bark, strong scents, or coarse textures. These are less attractive to both deer and rabbits and are well suited to Minnesota climates.

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Native, multi-stemmed tree with tough wood. Spring flowers and summer fruit are sometimes browsed by birds more than deer.
• Hornbeam / Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana): Dense branching and tough foliage make it less palatable.
• Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens): Conifers with needles and aromatic resins; rabbits may chew lower branches in heavy snow but overall low attractiveness.
• Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana): Aromatic foliage and dense form deter deer and rabbits.
• American plum (Prunus americana): Native and tough; fruit may attract birds but the tree is generally less browsed than ornamentals.
• Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia): Fragrant summer blooms attract pollinators more than browsers; shrubs are woody and resilient.

Trees to avoid near high-traffic garden beds

• Young maples, fruit trees, and ornamental cherries are often targeted for bark stripping by rabbits in winter.
• Tender ornamental trees with smooth bark can suffer severe rabbit damage.

Shrubs and Hedges That Perform Well Under Wildlife Pressure

Shrubs create structure in the landscape and can be chosen to discourage browsers.

• Boxwood (Buxus spp.): Dense evergreen foliage with strong texture. Use in protected areas; susceptible to winter burn in exposed sites.
• Barberry (Berberis spp.): Thorns and bitter taste deter most browsers. Choose non-invasive cultivars.
• Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): Coarse, leathery leaves and dense habit reduce palatability.
• Pussy willow (Salix discolor): Native willow can be browsed but regrows vigorously; avoid if heavy winter rabbit populations exist.
• Viburnum species with coarse leaves (e.g., Viburnum dentatum): Tough foliage and fibrous stems reduce attractiveness.

Perennials and Groundcovers: Low-Attraction Choices

Perennials are vulnerable, but many hardy options are less attractive due to texture, scent, or toxicity.

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Fragrant, drought tolerant, and generally deer- and rabbit-resistant once established.
• Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Aromatic, silvery foliage and woody stems deter browsers.
• Catmint (Nepeta spp.): Strong scent and grey-green foliage make it less desirable.
• Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.): Tough foliage and daisy-like flowers are usually ignored.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Aromatic foliage and fibrous texture reduce appeal.
• Ferns (Dryopteris spp., Matteuccia struthiopteris): Foliage texture and location in shade make them less attractive to deer; rabbits may sample but usually leave them.
• Groundcovers like creeping thyme and ajuga: Low-growing, aromatic, or tough-leaved groundcovers limit rabbit feeding at ground level.

Bulbs and Annuals: Which To Plant and Which To Avoid

Bulbs and showy annuals are often first targets for deer and rabbits. Choose bulbs that are naturally unpalatable or plant bulbs protected by deterrents.

• Bulbs that are less attractive: Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are toxic and rarely eaten by deer or rabbits.
• Bulbs to avoid or protect: Tulips, crocus, and hyacinth are frequently eaten; plant in raised beds, use wire cages, or choose deterrent interplanting.
• Summer annuals: Marigolds, zinnias, and nasturtiums have scents or textures that reduce deer browsing compared to tender ornamentals, but rabbits may nibble seedlings.

Planting Patterns and Landscape Design to Minimize Browsing

How you arrange plants matters as much as what you plant.

• Use perimeter plantings and hedges to form a buffer. Plant more resistant shrubs along property edges where deer enter.
• Create varied heights and textures. Mixing tough-textured plants with a few more palatable ones can reduce total loss.
• Avoid large contiguous swaths of highly attractive plants (hostas, roses) that act as deer magnets.
• Place the most vulnerable plants close to the house, where human activity deters deer and predators deter rabbits.
• Use row covers or temporary barriers for new plantings during the first season when they are most vulnerable.

Practical Protection Strategies for Rabbits and Deer

Combine plant selection with protective actions for the best results.

• Fencing: For deer, a 7 to 8 foot fence is ideal. For rabbits, 2 foot-high mesh fencing buried 6 inches prevents burrowing.
• Tree guards: Use plastic or hardware cloth trunk wraps for the first 2 to 4 feet of small trees to prevent winter bark stripping by rabbits and voles.
• Mulch and ground management: Keep groundcover trimmed and remove brush piles near the house to reduce rabbit hiding places.
• Repellents: Commercial or homemade repellents can reduce feeding. Reapply after rain and rotate products to avoid animals becoming habituated.
• Timing bulbs planting: Plant bulbs in the fall and cover with protective cages until shoots are well above ground.

Maintenance and Seasonal Considerations for Minnesota

Adjust care for Minnesota winters and seasonal wildlife behavior.

• Winter: Protect young trees and shrubs with trunk guards; wrap ornamental trunks while rabbits are active. Consider staking protective cages around evergreen lowers prone to snow flattening.
• Spring: Reapply repellents when new shoots emerge. Transplant or staple chicken wire over newly emerging bulbs for the first few weeks.
• Fall cleanup: Remove fallen fruit and seeds that attract wildlife. Clear brush where rabbits nest.
• Plant replacement: If a plant is repeatedly attacked, replace it with a less palatable alternative rather than repeatedly treating a poor performer.

Quick Reference Lists for Minnesota Gardens

Below are practical lists to consult when planning your garden. Use them as starting points and adapt to your site conditions.

• Trees and large shrubs with lower attractiveness: Serviceberry, Hornbeam/Ironwood, Colorado Blue Spruce, Eastern Redcedar, Summersweet, American Plum.
• Shrubs and hedges to consider: Boxwood, Barberry (non-invasive), Ninebark, Viburnum species with coarse leaves.
• Perennials and groundcovers: Lavender, Russian Sage, Catmint, Coreopsis, Yarrow, Ferns, Creeping Thyme, Ajuga.
• Bulbs generally safe: Daffodils.
• Bulbs to protect or avoid in open beds: Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocus.

Final Takeaways and Action Plan

1. Start by assessing local pressure: walk your property, note deer trails and rabbit hiding spots, and prioritize protecting the most valuable plants.
2. Choose a mix of deer- and rabbit-resistant trees, shrubs, and perennials tailored to Minnesota hardiness zones 3 to 5.
3. Place vulnerable plants near the house and use physical protections (fences, tree guards) for newly planted items.
4. Use strategic planting patterns, aromatic and coarse-textured plants, and seasonal maintenance to reduce attractiveness.
5. Combine plant selection with practical deterrents like repellents and habitat modification; expect to adapt yearly.

There is no single magic plant that guarantees a deer- and rabbit-free garden. The most reliable approach in Minnesota blends smart plant choices with layered physical and behavioral deterrents. With the right species and design, you can create a landscape that survives winters, delights the eye, and reduces visits from deer and rabbits.