Zingiber mioga (Hardy Ginger)

Quite simply, the only tropical looking, ground-level flowering, edible shade perennial we know! 3-4'-tall masses of bold foliage emerge in spring and remain in great shape all through the summer. In fall, yellow orchid-like blooms form at the base of the plants. Wickedly cool texture plant. And both the flowers and young, spring shoots are edible. (just don't eat the mature shoots - they're poisonous!)