Happy Monday GPODers!

We’re starting off the week in Rotterdam, New York, visiting the garden of Maxine Brisport. Maxine has shared her beautiful garden with us several times in the past (check out some of her earlier submissions: Visitors in Maxine’s Garden, Blooms in Maxine’s Garden, and Celebrating End-of-Summer Beauty with Maxine), but today she’s discussing a challenging, and fluffier, part of her garden that she hasn’t mentioned before.

It is quite disheartening to wander through the garden each morning and see the plants that are eaten by the several rabbits and bunnies that have taken residence in the garden. Throughout the day the rabbits and bunnies can be seen foraging and even resting amongst the flowers. The bunnies appear to eat anything that is in bloom. They have devoured plants that are considered to be rabbit resistant such as marigolds, salvia and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3–11). However, there is no doubt that the following are some of their favorites: ‘Storm Cloud’ bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’, Zones 4–9), bellflower, coneflower, ‘Concord Grape’ spiderwort (Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’, Zones 3–9) and ‘Black Barlow’ columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’, Zones 3–9). The plants that have been consumed are struggling to regrow. Seeing our precious flowers being gobbled up by the adorable bunnies is quite frustrating, yet we have made the decision to not actively repel them. Instead, we take pleasure in enjoying the flowers that they have left for us to nurture.

Too tall for small herbivores to make a snack of, this trumpet lily (Lilium regale, Zones 4–8) is still looking regal in Maxine’s garden.

Much loved my many pollinators but apparently not a rabbit favorite, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3–9) is absolutely glowing next to some bright, white daisies.

This ‘Alexander’ yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata ‘Alexander’, Zones 4–8) is a double whammy of interest: incredible variegated foliage with lovely ripples of texture and pops of bright but delicate yellow, cup-shaped flowers.

I absolutely love that Maxine photographs her garden visitors as beautifully as she captures the plants that she grows. Although they wreak havoc on her flowers and make meals of her plants, they are still adorable garden guests that we have to learn how to share our environment with. Maxine seems to be doing an excellent job of striking that balance with nature.

And Maxine shows that sharing is possible with all the fabulous flowers she is still left to enjoy! Here, a ‘Tiger Swirl’ daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Tiger Swirl’, Zones 3–9) glows in the sun.

And on the opposite end of the color spectrum, this cool-toned ‘Entrapment’ daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Entrapment’, Zones 2–9) has added flair with fancy ruffled petals.

Some gardeners find their young hostas eaten down to the roots from hungry rabbits in the spring, but Maxine has found success growing a great multitude of these classic shade plants. This bed has an incredible mix of colors, shapes, and textures, all complimenting a mix of other classic shade lovers like ferns and astilbe.

Another great technique when dealing with furry garden grazers is to grow up! Vining plants allow you to grow flowers at heights too tall for smaller flower feasters like rabbits, woodchucks, and gophers. This blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea, Zones 2–9) is a fantastic climber with gorgeous blooms.

Lastly, another garden visitor lounging in the shade of a little garden bench. Maxine has clearly made a bunny haven in her garden!

And Maxine shared so many great photos of her plants and rabbit guests that we’ll be back in her garden tomorrow to see more.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Nelson Multi-Pattern Stationary Sprinkler

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- 8 Pre-Set Watering Patterns
- Impact-resistant, plastic base
- Soft grip on multi-pattern head

Buy at Amazon

Corona High Performance Orchard Loppers

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Unique design greatly reduces the cutting force. Modest tool weight is maintained due to the high strength elliptical aluminum handles. Cutting blade is fully heat treated forged steel and is easy to sharpen. Hooked design features a deep sap groove which keeps the blade contact area clear. Large diameter bumpers help to reduce elbow fatigue.

Buy at Amazon

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.

Buy at Amazon