Was grown in the Seattle arboretum for a long time, is perhaps still there. Aspidistra might be a little more interesting, especially since it comes in variegated foliage forms.

Just saw some of these at Home Depot, I think it was.

Thanks bboy, I have Aspidistra so I thought I should try something else.

If you are near enough to the Seattle arboretum to go there, the planting is/was along the stream in Rhododendron Glen, between the service road and the dawn redwood trees, black bamboo. If you are in the right spot the redwoods and bamboo are up hill from and behind the stream.

Re rhodea, i have 3 I put in several years ago. They have grown very slowly in a partial shaded area. They have never really "greened up" and are a sickly green. I mulch them yearly with a wood chip/manure local product. I saw gorgeous ones at the Chinese Garden Portland. Wonder what could help them?

Might just be a nitrogen deficiency, this is the common nutrient problem in this area.