Recommendation for a reflective/shiny small plant

I am looking for suggestions for a 1-2 foot tall herb/plant that can provide herbs or medicine or nectar while at the same time bouncing light in through a window to lighten up our basement.  Our window is south-facing but somewhat shaded and passive solar.  We have temporarily had a white tarp on the ground outside to prevent erosion and we have enjoyed the extra light it reflects into the basement in the summer.  My hope is to find a perennial small plant that I can put there to have a similar effect.  

The site is partial shade, USDA zone 4-5, well drained sandy loam.  The desired miracle plant is 1-2 feet tall, silvery or white so it bounces light and hopefully provides another yield.  If it has white flowers, that could work but they'd need to be in bloom for much of the summer so the reflective benefit is continuous during June/July/August.

Hopefully I'm not asking too much:)  I hope there is a perfect plant for this application.  

Thanks Permies!!!

Can you grow Hostas? Theoretically they grow is as a green vegetable in Japan. I know it comes in lime green and white varieties.

Casie Becker wrote:Can you grow Hostas?

Yes we can!  The deer think they're candy but if they are close to the house they may survive.  And the hummingbirds love the flowers.  I forgot about them as an option due to deer damage but I'll reconsider.  Good idea!

Dusty Miller would work, as would Lamb's ears.