its tropical, it needs good and direct sunlight. it needs long exposure to good sun so if you are that into recreating an indoor greenhouse, they do not need lots of water being that these are cacti. I suggest checking for lighting needs. hydrophonics stores do sell the types of lights you require as do aquarium store but its expensive. Also do research more on the plant and there's lots of information on the web. Look for cactus maintenance. or check with cacti collectors.

I am still thinking so this is not my answer. What annuals have you been buying? A fellow like you could grow them cheaper yourself. I buy plants I could grow myself too but I am more impulsive than you. Annuals bloom their heads off in the heat of summer and many have long bloom times. Most of my perennials bloom and then are done. Some will rebloom if deadheaded. You have shade. I can't at the moment think of a yellow and white theme for most of the summer. I think foliage plants would provide the most attractive display for the longest time. Heucheras are foliage plants not yellow and white and they look better in spring. They are nice attractive plants. July and August are not the best months for them. Sun coleus are annuals in our climate, but I don't buy them every year. You can overwinter them on your basement window sill in plastic tubs and take cuttings in spring. Most bugs don't bother them. Besides needing water they are easy plants. There are some nice yellowish sun coleus but it is not short enough for you. Do you have any luck with hostas? My best ones are in pots and mid summer is not their best time either. I think Sandy has a shade garden so maybe she will think of something. It is not raining here and my plants don't look so good. I am trying to keep the squash bugs from killing my one squash plant that has survived and they are on my cucumber now. I planted too many tomatoes that need water which is in short supply. I hope someone thinks of something to help. We like to hear from you.

First day on here I got over 50 emails from the forum answers so I went and changed that. Can you imagine if we had to settle for keeping the emails coming, the room would be kaput.

It's Callisia fragrans. In flower. http://luirig.altervista.org/schedenam/fnam.php?taxon=Callisia+fragrans