Gardening on the Gulf Coast is challenging. The forecasters are always wrong about the rain (we’re still suffering from a 4-year drought), the soil is sand, the bugs are bad, the wind is fierce, and the rabbits are fearless.
I have two confused Roma tomato plants swinging from the railing in my new Topsy Turvy planters, a slew of herbs on the deck, a few plants in an old wheelbarrow, and a small raised garden at the foot of the steps.
Yesterday, as I walked with Sophie back from the beach, I saw a large bunny eyeing the wheelbarrow and I started shouting threats from the driveway.
She watched us for a moment as we approached, then made two short hops over to the steps and nipped off the top 8 inches of the clematis.
ACK! 
(I have nursed that little plant since I bought it on sale in December, covering it for every freeze advisory. I wanted a flowering vine across from the jasmine Melinda brought from New Orleans. )
She hopped calmly into the scrub oak with my flower hanging from her mouth like a trophy cigar.
I immediately sprinkled more cayenne pepper on the poor stump and on every other plant that looked to be in harm’s way.
But when I went out to inspect my garden this morning, I decided it was probably wasted energy. These are LA bunnies and they probably like their salad spicy, so the pepper just will be appreciated.
But who knows….. maybe it was the Easter Bunny! 
how about habanero
I cut the bottom out of a Folger’s can and slipped it over my poor clematis yesterday. AND I placed my order from Logee’s!