Zingiber mioga – Myoga ginger

Description

Common names: myoga ginger, Japanese ginger

Zingiber mioga is a deciduous herbaceous perennial native to Japan, China, and Korea. It is a woodland plant, requiring shade for growth. It is frost tolerant. The plant forms lush foliage from spring up to 1.5 meters. In late summer / autumn (usually February for us) lots of flower buds will appear from the ground. These can be harvested by slicing with a sharp knife rather like you would asparagus. If left to open the flowers are yellow. Plants can produce a lot of buds in a small area.

The edible flower buds and shoots are used in cooking. The flower buds are finely sliced and added to Japanese cuisine such as miso soup. In Korean cuisine flower buds are often skewered alternatively with pieces of meat and pan fried. The buds can also be pickled. The flavour is mild ginger with a crunch.

• Ht: 1 – 1.5 meters
• light shade to full shade
• Moderate moisture
• 1 litre pot