When I first saw this article I immediately thought of Epimediums.
I have two that are fantastic.
Frohnleiten is a larger leaf and I consider it a tall spreading variety.
Beautiful delicate yellow flowers in spring. This plant solves a "short soil" problem around an old tree trunk.
Great in dry or moist shade, creeps into some lilies and is a nice interplanting.
Barrenwort (Epimedium 'Frohnleiten')
Here is the second one. I would call it heavy blooming and sturdy. It grows next to and in to a path.
Epimedium Lillie
Bishop's Hat (Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee')
