Fill A Garden Space With A Lush Ground Cover That Can Tolerate Curious Rabbits

Imagine stepping into your garden early in the morning — dew still clinging to leaves, petals just beginning to open — only to find your once-lush border stripped bare. Little paw prints scatter the soil, and the tender new shoots you planted just days ago have vanished. If you've ever dealt with rabbits, you know the scene all too well. Wild rabbits kill outdoor grasses and garden plants alike, nibbling with determination, turning delicate shoots into empty stems, and once they find a favorite, they keep coming back for more. It's enough to make any gardener look for flowers that repel rabbits and deer before the damage begins.

That's where Geranium 'Rozanne' can save the day. This hardy perennial holds its ground against garden intruders. Its soft violet-blue blooms show up in late spring and keep going strong into fall, adding steady color to your space. But beyond the pretty face, Rozanne has something rabbits can't stand: lightly fuzzy leaves that smell and feel all wrong to them. Most of them take one sniff and move on.

The plant itself stays compact and tidy, growing about 18 to 20 inches tall and spreading out to form a lush, leafy carpet, which is perfect for filling in beds and borders. The dense ground cover helps block weeds and covers bare spots fast, especially in the places rabbits love to wander through, making it a smart way to help keep rabbits out of your yard. However, no plant is completely rabbit-proof. A curious bunny might take a bite now and then. So, if it is a serious problem, you should consider calling professionals instead of taking the matter into your own hands.

One of the best things about Geranium 'Rozanne', besides its rabbit resistance and nonstop blooms, is how little effort it takes to grow. If you've got a sunny spot and decent soil, you're already halfway there. Rozanne is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8, and it thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter areas, a little afternoon shade goes a long way in keeping the plant happy and vibrant. It's not picky about soil, either. Rozanne does well in loam, clay, or even sandy soil, as long as it drains well. When planting, give each clump around 12 inches of space. 

They'll quickly fill in, forming a lush, low-growing carpet of foliage and flowers. Rozanne likes moderately moist soil, but once it's settled in, it can handle short dry spells just fine. Rozanne requires very little maintenance. There's no need for daily pruning or deadheading. If the foliage starts looking tired in late summer, trim it back to encourage fresh growth and more blooms. Many gardeners also cut it back after the first major flush to spark a second round of flowers. Pests and diseases are rarely a problem. In overly damp or crowded conditions, Rozanne may develop some leaf spots or rust, but proper spacing and airflow typically keep it healthy.