This lovely 2-footer blooms in May and June with small white flowers, usually in pairs, that dangle beneath the variegated leaves. Their sweet perfume is, to our nose, across between Lilies and Hyacinths and is strongest on warm, still evenings. The creamy edges of the leaves glow in soft light and combine readily with a wide range of others shade lovers, including Ferns, Hostas, and Mertensia. Provide a shady spot with moisture-retentive soil, and you can count on many years of this elegant perennial.

The genus Polygonatum is native to North America and Asia and includes 60-plus species, most of them producing long, graceful, unbranched shoots from fleshy rhizomes. These arching stems with alternate leaves create a charming effect in the shade garden and bear white, bell-shaped flowers followed by dark blue fruits.