Hardy Virginia Plants That Tolerate Foot Traffic, Animal Browsing & Rough Weather

Is your landscape strong enough to handle harsh conditions? If you are looking for a resilient landscape that can withstand heavy foot traffic, animal browsing, and adverse weather conditions, then you may be seeking plants that are hard to kill.

We get it! If you’re investing in plant materials and landscaping services, you want your property to continue looking its best. You don’t want it to succumb to problems.

That’s why we’re answering common questions like:

• What is the toughest groundcover for foot traffic?
• Which plants are most deer-resistant?
• Which plants are best suited for climate change?
• What are my best options for planting and landscaping in Northern VA?

When you make wise choices for your landscape, you can feel confident that it will continue to perform at its best, even when conditions get tough.

What is the toughest groundcover for foot traffic?

There has been a recent increase in interest in plants that can tolerate foot traffic. Some of this comes from curiosity around replacing lawn areas with plants. People also sometimes want to know, 'What is the best lawn alternative for foot traffic?'

However, replacing lawn areas can sometimes be disappointing for homeowners. You must keep in mind that no groundcover plants can replace what people love about having a grass lawn, including the “walkability.”

Grass is best if you plan to use your lawn for activities like picnics, yard games, or sports. Grass is also typically best for pets.

That being said, if you don’t have children or pets and you don’t use your lawn often, you might be interested in lower-maintenance groundcover options to fill in some space with greenery. We know that lawns can require upkeep, and sometimes homeowners want something more low-maintenance.  

Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape’s Senior Landscape Designer, Alan Macbeth, says that while he is not aware of groundcovers that can sustain heavy or repeated foot traffic like a lawn can, for light traffic or use between stepping stones, he recommends Creeping Thyme and Creeping Jenny.

“Dwarf Mondo Grass performs well too,” he adds. “The ‘steppable’ plant area of landscape design has expanded a lot in recent years, with niche-specific plants offering a lot of options for both sun and shade situations.”

Landscape Designer Amanda McNiff adds that, “Woodland and Creeping Phlox are both good native options for shorter groundcover plantings.”

Amanda says they will grow into beautiful flowering carpets in the early spring, but this can take a couple of years to become fully established.

Which plants are most deer-resistant?

Deer browsing is a common problem here in Northern Virginia. As you might already know, deer are foraging creatures. They move frequently and will even travel many miles in search of food.

In fact, one of their defense mechanisms is to eat on the go, so they are always trying to keep predators at bay. That means that even if you have not seen deer on your property, they could start showing up.

Due to this, many homeowners are interested in deer-resistant plants from Virginia. However, you should also consider deer-attracting plants.

Deer love to browse on plants like hostas, arborvitae, and rhododendron. If you’re worried about deer on your property, these are some plants you might want to avoid.

You can also choose plants that tend to be deer-resistant, but keep in mind that a hungry deer can be a voracious eater, and nothing is truly 100 percent deer-proof!

According to Alan and Amanda, some good options for deer-resistant Virginia plants that are shrubs include:

• Boxwood
• Pieris
• Gardenia
• Boxleaf Hollies
• Conifer Shrubs (like Juniper and Cryptomeria)
• Oakleaf Hydrangea
• Camellia
• Forsythia
• Abelia
• Buttonbush
• Winterberry
• Red Twig Dogwood
• Spirea
• Viburnum

“I have really been enjoying incorporating Blueberry shrubs into the landscape as well,” Amanda adds. “They are a great green leaf small shrub with fantastic fall color – plus actual blueberries are a bonus! Many clients have been asking for woody/panicle hydrangeas such as Little Lime or Bobo as they give big white/green blooms all summer but don’t require the same watering and shade typical mophead hydrangeas prefer.”

According to Alan and Amanda, some good options for deer-resistant Virginia plants that are perennials include:

• Nepeta
• Various ornamental grasses
• Echinacea
• Gaura
• Salvia
• Iris
• Ferns
• Helleborus
• Aster
• Rudbeckia
• Baptisia

“Peony are always stunning additions for early Spring big blooms, but typically must be staked as the flowers will droop in heavy rains,” adds Amanda. “Russian Sage is a great whimsical perennial that gives nice color and texture change from all the green. Also, Iris are great perennials for wet locations.”

Bulbs like Grape Hyacinth and Daffodils tend not to be bothered by deer. Allium is another good Spring bulb option that deer do not tend to browse.

Which plants are best suited for climate change?

The toughest plants for Virginia landscapes are also those that can withstand harsh weather conditions. This means choosing hardy plants and also looking at “Planting Zone” recommendations for our region.

Northern Virginia falls primarily into Zone 7b, specifically in Arlington and Alexandria. However, when considering a slightly wider geographic area, the range extends from Zone 6b to Zone 8b. In recent years, temperatures in our area have been trending hotter.

Because they are already adapted to the area, choosing Virginia native plants generally makes a wise choice for a plant that will perform well.

“For our area, which tends to be experiencing increased average temperatures and increased drought-leaning conditions, any plants that are drought- and heat-tolerant work well,” says Alan. “This includes mostly zonally appropriate ornamental grasses, Sedums, and Echinacea.”

If you are planting less hardy options, they may require some extra care and attention. Proper mulching is crucial for protecting plants’ roots from extreme weather and helping them retain water.

What are my best options for planting and landscaping in Northern VA?

Even if you choose the toughest plants for Virginia, you’ll still need to ensure that they are correctly installed to reap the full benefits.

It’s sometimes overlooked how important it is to prepare the area where you’re installing new plants. Any landscape company that comes in and digs a hole without proper preparation is not setting your plants up for success, even if they are hardy choices.

Unfortunately, this is sometimes how plants are installed during new construction, which is why they often don’t perform well. If you have new construction and have a landscape that is under-performing, it might not have been installed properly.

In addition to preparing the land properly, it’s also important to consider other factors specific to your property. Think of it as your property’s “micro-climate.” There will be certain areas of your property that receive more shade and others that receive more sunlight. Hardly plants still need to be installed in an area of your property where they will receive what they need.

There may also be areas that receive more wind or more water (particularly if you have any drainage considerations).

There’s a saying in our industry: 'Right Plant, Right Place.' It means that you want to ensure you are installing plant material in an area of your property where it will perform optimally.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we take all of this seriously. We understand that when you purchase plant material, you expect it to last for many years. A significant part of protecting that investment is ensuring that your plants are installed properly — and then cared for correctly, too.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we not only handle plant installations but also their ongoing maintenance. In addition to offering valuable advice, we can also offer our clients a Plant Health Care program, Pruning Plans, and Mulching Plans, which will set them up for success.

This all boils down to helping you protect your investment. When you invest in professional landscaping services in Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA, you set your landscape up for success.

If you’d like to discuss a landscape installation, plant health care, pruning, or mulching for your landscape, request a quote, get your customized plan, and relax knowing that your plants are in good hands.