The rabbits have caused so much damage during this cold snap. Most of my plants are disliked by bunnies, but it would appear that when you are hungry, anything goes. I have read that if Buxus is planted in a border, the horrid smell it exudes keeps rabbits away. So I have decided to try this out in one of the borders. I prepared the soil well by adding lots of manure. 
Driving home from the nursery I can understand why rabbits do not like the smell. It is really horrible. I drove home with my window partially down to try and get some fresh air. Back home I placed the plants.......
and soon had them settled in their new home. I bought 50, so it took a while....
When I finished I stood back and wasn't really sure if I liked it. I shall allow the box to grow and form a low hedge. I shall plant Allium Purple Sensation and Echinacea Purp. White Swan behind it.
I did add some Arum italicum....lord's and ladies does well here, so this plant should romp away. I planted three. Now I shall just have to wait and see how this developes and if it is successful at keeping those naughty bunnies away........
I would just like to say a thank you to a certain young lady for helping me with my camera (Liz at Gwirrel's Garden). It is amazing when something is explained in simple terms ...............
I had fun today Liz......and you are so right, I do love my camera......
27 comments:
Hi Cheryl
This looks really promising - what is it that you're not sure about?
The buxus will look gorgeous with the alliums and echinacea popping out behind it. Where did you get the idea for what plants to use, was it just down to the bunnies?
I must admit, I have couple of buxus, and have never noticed that they are a bit whiffy!
I admire you getting all that work done in the garden at this time of year - it's been horrible, damp and misty here today - not gardening weather at all! Probably why your garden looks delightful and mine looks more than a little sorry for itself!
Hi Cheryl,
Your border looks very promising, I hope the Rabbits keep away from them. It must be so frustrating having to battle Rabbits as well as the usual slugs, snails and insects!
If any of your plants 'disappear' don't worry, they'll have a lovely home here... Not that I would steal them, of course... :)
I'm glad you've had fun with your camera, your photos are beautiful... I look forward to more!
Hi Dan.....I am not too sure I like a Buxus hedge edging a woodland theme....hence why I have added the Alliums and Echinacea (that was my idea). The bunnies are the main reason...I do not want to harm them but I am tired of keep replacing plants for my bees and butterflies etc. If this works and keeps them out of the border, I may try to think of ways to work it into other areas.
I work in the garden all weathers (except snow and torrential rain).....as someone who can suffer with depression, I find working outide keeps me focused and in touch with myself.
I must say despite my apprehension I am looking forward to seeing this border develope.....
Thanks Liz.....I really am not too sure of the planting but it will be fun to see the border develope. I shall post through the seasons. Hopefully the buxus will keep the rabbits out and the border will come back to it's former glory......
Tku.....you explained it so clearly, I just picked my camera up and away I went. I only played for 20 minutes or so today but when I have more time, will try just that little bit harder....
Oh I so hope that works for you and those little rascals stay away from your lovely garden.... I can imagine how frustrating that could be.... and oh, I love your last pics, they're awesome... I too have to learn how to work my camera; I still can't manage to make a blurry background ;) Yours look terrific!
Hugs
Cielo
If this works...you'll be a hero.
Everyone will give it a try.
The Arum italicum is a very handsome plant,I must check it out.
Cameras can be so troublesome...no wait "digital" cameras can be troublesome like with all the other teck tools and toys we have.
Congrats...your pictures are perfect.
Looks like you've added even more beauty to your garden and I do hope it works!
My goodness, you have been busy Cheryl. I think it will look very nice and I do hope it deters the bunnies :) I had to smile at you having to endure the smell in the car! Someone gave me some Tripe sticks today to try Louis on as a treat...oh my! What a pong!!
Lovely Photos, you certainly seem to me to know what you are doing :) I also loved the curious Sheep on the previous post.
I won't be much help in stopping rabbit damage. I live on a farm with rabbits everywhere but they have never come into the gardens. I've always credited it to the cats and the border collie but who knows. This winter I've seen them under the bird feeders at night picking up seeds.
Marnie
Hi Cielo....I shall keep my fingers crossed re the rascally rabbits.
I am sure you will find a way to use your camera.....the blurry images are so much softer...I am grateful to Liz for her help.....
Lovely to hear from you.....
Hi Patsi....I do hope it works......at the moment it seems a little too simple but I am willing to give it a go...
Arum italicum have beautiful leaves....they add winter interest to a garden. In the autumn you have a lovely stand of orange berries.......
Hi Jan....of gosh tripe....I had a cavalier that loved it. I would buy it for her, as she was a poor eater. I shall remember that smell forever. At least the buxus are in the garden!!!
Hi Marnie....hopefully the buxus will deter the rabbbits from entering the flower bed. I have read very good reports.....it will be a time thing. I shall make my judgement further down the line.....
How nice that you could get so many small plants to start your hedge. I like the look of buxus but I hate that smell. We have two right by the front door. I was unfammiliar with the plants when I came here. I kept thinking cats were spraying our front porch. Ha... Then a friend that is from the south came here one day and said "I just love that smell. It reminds me of home." I almost fainted with laughter when I realized that she meant the boxwood smell. I had been spreading coffee grinds and all sorts of stuff to keep the cats away. Ha... I hope it works on rabbits.
Cheryl, I'll bet I know someone who is a happy gardener about now. :) You of course... back out there with your hands in the dirt.
I am not familiar with Buxus and don't thibk I hve ever smelled it either. But if it's as bad as you say, I am sure the rabbits will stay away. I hoping for you anyway.
The new larger beds are really looking great. Can't wait to see them come spring.
In the meantime-wow-gorgeous close ups! Isn't it fun to take those?
Hi Cheryl,
I forgot to mention I do love the wellies... lol I assume they've been there throughout the snow as they're full of water! :D
I've been itching to get out and doing things in the garden too... Is it too early to attempt sowing seeds???!!!
The Alliums and Echinacea will look wonderful together, I fancy trying 'pallida', I love the long sad petals on it compared to the more common outward facing types.
I hope all your hard work pays off and keeps those rabbits away! I laughed at you opening your window because of the smell. I'm also not familiar with buxus, but it must be really smelly!
Your pics look lovely - they always have.
Hi Liz....ah, the wellies....they were Poppi's...she has outgrown them. I have meant to drill holes in the bottom and plant them up. I will do it this year.
What seeds are you planting Liz?
If they are wild flowers....and ground is not too soggy....they should be fine. Some wild flower seeds like a touch of really cold weather. I always scatter wildflower seeds in autumn and spring (march) and I always do very well.
Hardy annuals I generally sow outside in March during a dry spell...always successful.
I generally do indoor sowings around March.......
Rambling Rector arrived today...so excited.....his spot is prepared, with a huge amount of horse manure added. Can't wait for him to romp away and hide my wire mesh fencing.......
Cheryl, I had to laugh at the thought of you driving home with all these Buxus and your windows rolled down to drive out the smell:) Let's hope the bunnies find these plants equally disgusting. We have rabbits here, too, but they don't bother my garden for the most part. But then again, I don't have as much garden area as you do. Most of it is nearer the house, and the cats tend to patrol the area, so they might be the deterrent here. Of course, Sophie chases them off when she sees them, but she is indoors most of the time.
So glad Liz gave you some camera tips--the close-ups are beautiful! Sometimes we don't notice the beauty of seedheads and dried foliage until we look very closely.
i am sure you were acting out of frustration at those pesky little rabbits. we all have issues in our gardens that make it hard to enjoy.
mine is the amount of rain and water that stays around. i need to learn more about xeriscaping and native plantings. i love the way the new plantings were laid out with wonderful curvy beds.
i would so love for somebody to explain to me in easy terms about my new lens. i tell myself every year i am going to take some kind of photography class...i did sign up for a class in pottery throwing...it starts next week.
i do hope you end up liking these
new border plant and that the bunnies don't.
happy january.
Cheryl did the Buxus work in keeping the rabbits at bay? Lots of planting went on..is that this year? Forgive me but I've been out of the loop for so long. Here our winter is mild..cold but NO snow..no rabbits nibbling my plant stems..If it keeps up as mild before I know it I'll be digging deep! love and light aNNa xo
Cheryl,
This looks like it may do the trick regarding the rabbits. The buxus will be really lovely with the alliusms and echinacea. I sure wish I could grow a garden like yours. I am not much of a gardener, but sure enjoy your blog and your photos of your garden.
I hope it works for you; I don’t have that problem in my garden, but can see them in the local parks eating away the landscape
Dear Cheryl,
It is amazing to me that you can plant in January! My ground is frozen! Your border will be gorgeous and the bees and butterflies will love it. Hopefully the bunnies will stay away.
Learning a new camera trick is exciting. I like to be able to take the photograph I want when I want it! I call it teaching the camera to see what I see.
My gardening is indoors right now. Once Spring comes I will plant my spent tulip bulbs in the gardens.
Sherry
Dear Sherry....After the snow melted, the ground was cold but not frozen. This is the perfect time to plant our native Buxus. At this moment (I have my fingers crossed as I type...lol) the rabbits have not been into that area. I have read such good reports on this method, I am just hoping it will work here....
The bees and butterflies will dance a merry turn around the echinacea and alliums......
Hi Anna...I planted the Buxus last Tuesday....fingers crossed it will keep the rabbits from my bee and butterfly blooms. Many gardens that open to the public in UK use this method......I wish I had read up on in before but better late than never.
Just looking at the pictures, it seems easier to garden in your part of the world because the weeds are not growing profusely as in the tropics. Besides, it is easier to cultivate because you will not feel tired fast, the temperature is low, when here it is so hot and humid.
Post a Comment