Look at the picture to the left. What stands out to you? Is it that bright yellow-ish plant on the right? That is called a Spikenard. I've had many friends and neighbors stop by to ask me what is that yellow plant, and can they use it in their landscape?
The first and most important question I ask them is, "Do you want to place this in full sun?" Most likely the answer is yes, and then I have to say this plant is NOT for you, but we can find you other ones that are similar in color that can take full sun.
If you cannot tell from the picture, our landscape is just about 100% shade. We get just a bit of morning sun and that is all that plant needs. While I usually feel very challenged in finding variety of cool items for shade aside from the many varieties of hostas - Jason is educating me on the abundance of options for those of us whose landscape lacks an abundance of sun.
Believe it or not this Spikenard plant is a perennial. There are different varieties and some can get to be 6' tall! In the fall they will turn a more golden color and then eventually die off so we trim them down. The next year they regrow and flourish even more - that is until they reach their maturity. For us, I think this plant is in the 2nd year of growing.
What is one of your favorite plants, flowers, or trees, (etc) in your landscape?