I know that this thread hasn't seen any activity in quite a while, but I have a type of hygro that is an excellend val alternative. The exact type of hygro escapes me, but here is a picture:
If you look on the right hand side of the image (a little left of far right), it is the plant with the super long leaves. This type of hygro will get tall, but not as quickly as most types of vals. I belive that it is hygro salifolia or willow leaf hygro.
It is definately one of my favorite plants.