Plants that WILL get Eaten

There is nothing so annoying as putting in a new plant just to go out a few months later and see that the neighborhood wildlife has been feasting on your plants. Some animals tend not to eat certain plants, but when an animal is hungry and has nothing else, they will eat anything. So here are 10 plants that should be avoided when hungry animals are anywhere nearby.

In no particular order:
1 - Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) - a beautiful small tree and loved by many animals
2 - Euonymus - a popular hedge bush with varieties including variegated leaves and Burning Bush all of which are super tasty to wildlife.
3 - Hemerocallis (Daylily) - they come in varieties other than yellow and all make a sweet treat for animals.
4 - Hosta - they are great for shade, have lots of varieties and animals will eat them like crazy.

---

5 - Rosa (Roses) - they look mean, but they taste so sweet to those crazy animals.
6 - Tulipa (Tulips) - tasty on top and tasty on bottom, animals will leave nothing behind.
7 - Violas or Pansies - It doesn't matter that winter cold might kill them because they aren't likely to make it through summer.
8 - Berberis (Barberry) - tasty to rabbits and other critters, their berries will bring hungry animals running.
9 - Prunus cistina (Purpleleaf Sandcherry) - not as thorny as Barberries, but just as tasty.
10 - Aster - Lots of varieties to tempt those little critters into dining at your yard.

Is there anything to watch for in animal resistant plants?

Many animals do not like strong smelling plants, so even though there is no guarantee and Voles and Gophers will eat anything green and juicy, there are a few plants that are safer than others.

Consider planting Alliums (Garlic, Onions), Salvia (Sages), Nepeta (Catmint), Mentha (Mints), Geraniums, or other plants which are tough, prickly or fuzzy. Though, don't think evergreen needles are safe, they might be pointy but some are still tasty. Also consider planting native plants since they are used to adapting to the native wildlife and may be able to handle the munching.

---