A really large stand of these plants has grown up in an area of my "dog yard" that normally is just basically bare dirt because during the winter my dogs turn it into a mud patch and during the summer they play and lounge there. I asked a landscaper once what I could grow there and he pretty much said the dogs would take anything out.

Well, this stand of plants is holding up just FINE. But it's pretty huge. I would, however, like to know what they are. They grow rapidly, and the tallest, densest part is nearly up to my waist now - and I'm 5'6".

In Olympia, WA, about an hour south of Seattle, on a fairly heavily wooded lot with some open area. THis is growing in a fairly sunny area.

Thanks for any help!