This list is compiled from reports from gardeners all over Scotland, but it cannot be totally relied upon - rabbits don't read lists, and plants some people find rabbit-proof are eaten with relish in other areas. Plants may be particularly vulnerable to damage when they are newly planted or with young growth emerging (novelty value?), or when the rabbits have little alternative choice of food. (if ground is snow-covered or frozen) If protected for this critical period, they will be less likely to be attacked once the protection is removed. Rabbits prefer leaves and soft stems rather than flowers and woody stems. They seem to prefer feeding in exposed/open positions and often nibble plants at the edge of borders.
Acanthus, Aconitum
Agapanthus, Alcea rosea (hollyhock)
Alchemilla mollis,
Anemone blanda, Anemone (Japanese)
Anthemis, Aquilegia
Astilbe
Bergenia
Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley)
Cortaderia (pampas)
Crocosmia, Cyclamen
Delphinium
Digitalis (foxglove)
Euphorbia (spurge)
Geranium (some), Geum
Grasses (most)
Helleborus
Helianthemum, Hemerocallis (day lily)
Herbs (most: rosemary, lavender, etc.)
Iris
Kniphofia (red hot poker)
Lupinus (lupin), Lychnis chalcedonica
Monarda
Narcissus (daffodil), Nepeta
Ophiopogon planiscapus
Osteospermum (species and hybrids)
Paeonia
Phormium tenax
Polygonatum
Potentilla (common species and hybrids)
Pulmonaria
Stachys, Symphytum
Scotland has far too many deer (one estimate places the numbers around 750,000) and for some gardeners they are a constant menace. To keep roe deer out required an expensive deer fence not less than 1.5m and up to 2m high. Deer tend to cause most damage in cold winters with snow on the ground. Antler rubbing can also cause problems. The list below is far from infallible and hungry deer will eat almost anything.
Amelanchier
Bamboos
Betula (when mature) birch
Buddleja davidii
Buxus (box)
Choisya ternata
Clematis
Chaenomeles Japanese Quince
Cornus alba & C. sanguinea (dogwood)
Daphne
Eucalyptus
Forsythia
Hippophae rhamnoides sea buckthorn
Hydrangea
Kerria japonica
Laurus nobilis (bay)
Lonicera species (honeysuckles)
Magnolia
Mahonia
Philadelphus
Phormium tenax
Potentilla fruticosa
Rhododendron larger hybrids
Rhus (sumach)
Ribes (flowering currants)
Rosa rugosa, R. spinosissima
Spiraea japonica
Viburnum (deciduous types)
Vinca major , V. minor
Weigela
Yucca
Agapanthus
Aquilegia
Cistus (rock rose)
Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass)
Delphinium
Digitalis (foxglove)
Echinops species (globe thistles)
Euphorbia species (spurges)
Ferns
Grasses (most)
Helleborus (hellebores)
Kniphofia (red hot pokers)
Leucanthemum × superbum
Lupinus (lupins)
Monarda didyma (bergamot)
Narcissus (daffodils)
Nepeta × faassenii (catmint)
Nerine species
Romneya coulteri (Californian poppy)
