In a nutshell, no. Gunneras do best with cool summers and I have not heard of anybody growing them successfully anywhere on the east coast (although I know 2 or 3 people who have failed!). But who knows, high elevation areas in Virginia or the Carolinas might work. For a similar effect you can use Tetrapanax papyrifer.

Thank you Jonnieb. Probably would not do well for me. I am coastal and southern Va. I used to live in South Mississippi and sometimes saw the rice paper plant there. Does it like moist, slightly boggy soil? That's where I was thinking of putting the Gunnera when I first posted....????