12 Best Plants for Black Thumbs

(Hakonechloa macra)

This ornamental grass arches in a way that resembles a miniature cascading bamboo. 'Aureola,' which has golden leaves streaked with green, and 'All Gold,' which has yellow leaves with just a touch of green at the base, light up a shade garden and make a fantastic textural counterpoint to hostas or astilbe. Other varieties have leaves of lime green ('Lemon Grass') or red and green ('Beni Kaze').

Plant as a border or use as a ground cover over a wide area. Grows 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Needs moist, well-drained soil. Perennial in zones 5-9.