Perennials: A few thoughts for 08-1, what tropicals do you bother with?, 1 by noknok

noknok wrote:
In zone 5-6, where they have to be lifted and stored.

To me, the winner is, hands down, the Gloriosa Rothschildiana climbing lily.
This one came from some common mail order catalog, can't remember which.
The small tubers were easy and prolific and gave us no end of joy as they went
through their changes over a 2-week or more period.

I had some Calla 'Flame' from Lowes, which were gorgeous when I got them
but subsequent blooms were oddly dark and sagging, maybe it was too cold
for a while in June?

I tried a "Bat flower" tuber, it never came up. Not sure how I failed it.

I love Cannas, Dahlias and Musa Basjoo (banana), which are a bit hardier
but still need to come inside.

Botched (forgot to plant) some Chocolate Cosmos, will try again
and would love to try some passion flowers.

I love variegated shades of orange, lemon yellow, purple (in the same plant)
leaves and/or flowers.

What have you found to be worth the fuss?