In the three years I have "tubbed it", I have never had any issues with animals at all. I will keep an eye on it, but since htey are on my deck, I don't anticipate problems.
creeping jenny does awesome as well, both as a border plant and a water plant.Alot of common garden plants make excellent marginal plants. Irises and Cannas in the sun, Coleus and Colocasia in the shade come immediately to mind and you can even get them at HD.
In containers right?already have mint (and chocolate mint) planted