Possibly Bletilla striata, hardy orchid.

Your neighbor should be very happy. That's a Bletilla orchid - probably Bletilla striata and a very nice clump if I must say. I'm impressed.

Kevin

WOW! That is gorgeous. I planted a bletilla last year for the first time and thought it didn't come back. There are teeny green shoots finally coming up. If mine looks a tenth as nice as the one in the pic I'll be happy!

Oh, one of my favorite plants! I started out with two small sections 25 years ago; now there are so many I use them as a fill-in groundcover. Subtly variegated-leafed whitish and purple-flowering plants have joined the collection. And I am trying to get my hands on some B. ochracea, too. Your neighbor's patch looks nice peeking out from under the conifer.

Thanks everybody!
This is a must have for me - it has lived through recent past horrid winters in Pennsylvania, is very unusual and it is beautiful even when not flowering. I'll see how to get a hold of one!