.

Achillea (yarrow): both deer and rabbit resistant. Prefers part to full sun, so may not suitable for Bandy Field Nature Park.

Carex laxiculmis
(Creeping Sedges): low maintenance and low-growing sedge which tolerates wet soils. Plants slowly naturalize by producing occasional seedlings. However, established plants are pest resistant and unpalatable to deer and other herbivores.

Heucheras, e.g. Heuchera americana (Alumroot; American Alumroot): Part shade to full shade. Dry to moist soils. Naturally found in rocky woodlands. Drought tolerant and highly deer resistant due to tannins in their leaves; also resistant to rabbits.

Iris cristata
(Dwarf Crested Iris) - highly deer resistant. Naturally found in wet meadows, swamps and other wetland habitats; grows well in a variety of well-drained soil types, and is an ideal plant for edges of ponds, lily pools, and drainage ditches. Best grown from seed as they are extremely difficult to transplant. Conditions in Bandy Field Nature Park may be to dry for this plant.

Modarda spp.
(Beebalms) – moderately deer and rabbit resistant due to their pungency. True to the mint family, they can spread prolifically by seeds and rhizomes;

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper). Prolific spreader and moderately resistant to deer damage. Low maintenance and grows under a variety of conditions. This vine will climb trees. However, unlike invasive species (e.g. English ivy) Virginia creeper is not likely to girdle and kills trees (however it will compete with the tree’s own leaves for sunlight).

Sedum ternatum (Wild Stonecrop): Deer and rabbit resistant. Prefers shaded woodlands. It is a mat-forming succulent with rounded leaves arranged in a whorled pattern.

Native Rabbit Resistant Groundcover (not sure about deer resistance):

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed): prefers part to full sun, so would not be suitable if the area in Bandy Field Park has too much shade.

Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge):
grows in dry woodland, so may be well suited to the Park’s environment.

Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove beardtongue):
Prefers full sun, or at most partial shade, so may not be suitable for the Park’s environment.

Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower): prefers part to full shade and soil rich in humus

Zizia aurea (Golden-alexander): hardy plant, grows well in various soils including clay. Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade if its under a tree.

Sources:

Choose Natives 2022 (https://choosenatives.org/articles/virginia-rabbit-proof-native-plants/)

New Mexico State University website (https://aces.nmsu.edu/)

Native Plants for Virginia’s Capital Region (May 2020)

NC State Extension: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/heuchera-americana/)

Virginia Wildflowers website (https://virginiawildflowers.org/tag/sedum)

VCE Publication 426-609: Selecting Landscape Plants: Groundcovers