I don't know if it's universal, but around here asters are one of the prime items on the all-you-can-eat buffet the bunnies seem to think I'm serving.

Asters, lilies, and phlox are the big rabbit attractors - I'd like to have more of each, but not when I have to cage each plant like they're in a prison camp to keep the rabbits out.

They did that once to me, too, but the "pruning" actually helped. LOL. I spray Liquid Fence now and I never have rabbits around anymore. Deer on the other hand....

That stinks! Asters are *gorgeous* in the fall, I especially like the deeper purple ones. How about picking up a few to enjoy as potted plants on the patio for the season (and perhaps you might try over-wintering, worth a try...)

I can recommend Deer Scram to keep bunnies at bay. We've used it successfully here for several years. It's dry, you just sprinkle it around the plants and it does withstand some rain, so you don't have to reapply after every rain storm. It might be something to consider if you want to grow asters, pansies, phlox, and painted daisies, which are loved by the rabbits in our area.

Linda

Huh. My bunnies have never touch my asters and I've been growing them for nine years.

Here's a picture of my first bloom this year, June 30 (crazy early).

{{gwi:266554}}

I occasionally get plants munched on by rabbits, but asters haven't been bothered.

I second with 'Deer Scram'. My newly planted aster was eaten down to a nub few months back even after I sprayed with 'Liquid Fence'. Until I learned about using 'Deer Scram'. Rabbits tend to sniff from the bottom-up and we tend to spray from the top, I guess that's why 'Liquid Fence' has not worked in this case. I have always had both, both worked if used correctly.

Rabbits have not touch the plants since I sprinkled a circle of 'Deer Scram' around the plant on the ground. (Did you know that the rabbits eat the bottom of the cornflowers, too :-)

I have some rabbit scram left, I should probably put it to use.

How often are you reapplying? Just after heavy rains?

I may try to the pot idea since I don't have any containers.

Try Bobbex for rabbits and small animals. Has the odor sort of like Liquid fence.

Get a Flaming Bush - I had rabbits that skip the Aster and go right for the steak! They ate my Flaming bush down to the nubbins last year.

No wonder. I gave up on these.