Dusty Miller
As a general rule, gray or silver leaves mean rabbit and deer-resistant container plants.
Dusty milleralso maintains its leaf color right up until frost.
You might try growing thisdeer-resistant plantalong the edges of your pots and planters to help discourage curious nibblers.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Whats more, the foliage has a strong sagefragrance that deer and bunnies avoid.
Try mixing it withpurple and golden sagein the same container for a fun look.
Marigolds come in a wide variety of forms that vary slightly in their ability to ward off nibbling marauders.
Credit: Jay Wilde
The best marigolds to grow in deer and rabbit country are old-fashionedSignet marigoldsand dwarfFrench marigolds.
Both types of marigolds grow 12-18 inches tall and are ideal for container culture.
Heliotrope is apopular plant with butterflies, which flock to its nectar-rich blooms.
Credit: Andreas Trauttmansdorff
The plants are best treated as an annual in all but the warmest regions of the country.
The flowers form slightly rounded heads on the end of each stem.
Verbenais drought resistant and wont wilt dramatically if you occasionally forget to water it.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Feed thisdeer-resistant annualevery few weeks to keep the flower show going all summer.
The hairy leaves, which deer and bunnies avoid, are all clustered at the base of the plant.
To prolong the bloom season of these lovely annuals,remove the flowers as they fade.
Credit: Justin Hancock
But luckily, deer and rabbits wont give them a second look.
Ageratum will flower nonstop right up until the first frost.
There are also trailing forms that areperfect for hanging baskets.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Snapdragons like cool weather, so you could rely on them to brighten your spring or fall garden.
Lantana is drought-resistant, which makes it a great container plant for gardeners who forget to water.
Colors include yellow, red, white, lavender, orange, red, and a host of bicolors.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Hungry critters avoid this plant due to its sticky, resinous foliage and tiny spines along the stems.
Butbutterflies and other pollinatorslove the nectar-rich blooms and will flock to your garden when the buds open.
Flower colors include white, rose, and purple.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Its honey-scented blooms willattract scores of pollinatorsto your garden while repelling the hungriest deer and rabbits.
The plants grow 18-36 inches tall, so they make an ideal centerpiece in a large pot or planter.
Persian shield is adrought-tolerant container plantresistant to rabbits and deer.
Credit: Brie Williams
This nonstop color show is what makes them an ideal container plant, especially for hot, sunny conditions.
Varieties include Indian Summer, Cherokee Sunset, Toto, and Becky.
However, most deer and rabbits pass them by because the plants have rough, hairy leaves.
Credit: Justin Hancock
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Cilantro
Few herbs are asflavor-controversialascilantro.
Beloved by many cooks and gardeners, this intensely flavorful herb turns some people off.
Cilantro develops bright green clusters of flat, aromatic leaves that mix well with other herbs or annual flowers.
Credit: Justin Hancock
This vigorous, easy plant will often spread through your garden if you allow it to.
Clip the leaves at any time for use in the kitchen.
This pretty little plant blooms in cool weather, so pot it early in the season.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Both deer and rabbits avoid this lovely plant.
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Sedum
You could create an entire container garden just usingsedums.
Yucca comes in green and variegated forms and can grow 12-36 inches tall.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
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Credit: Graham Jimerson
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
