Zingiber mioga ‘Silver Arrow'

Variegated Myoga Zingiberaceae

A Japanese ginger that seems to have discovered metallic paint. Zingiber mioga ‘Silver Arrow’ forms vigorous, upright clumps of narrow, lance-shaped leaves densely marked with fine yellow, cream and silvery-green streaks, giving the whole plant a distinctive luminous, yellow-green appearance. The effect is particularly good in light shade, where the foliage seems to glow rather than shout. Like the species, curious flowerheads emerge directly from the rhizomes at ground level in late summer and autumn, producing delicate yellowish flowers. Fast-growing, deciduous and surprisingly hardy, this is one of the more useful variegated gingers for the temperate garden.

Introduction: ‘Silver Arrow’ is one of three recognised variegated cultivars of Zingiber mioga, alongside ‘Dancing Crane’ and ‘White Feather’. It was being offered as a new selection by Shikoku Garden in 2008, which described it as a vigorous and stable Japanese selection with leaves marbled and splashed silver-grey, cream and white. By 2014, Theodor C. H. Cole and Sven Nürnberger included it in their detailed The Plantsman account of Z. mioga and described its dense pattern of numerous narrow yellow markings. 

Edible: The unopened flower buds are the prized edible part of Z. mioga, harvested as myoga before the flowers open. They are crisp and aromatic, with a fresh, spicy flavour, and are traditionally eaten raw, pickled or cooked. Young shoots are also edible. The cultivar is principally grown ornamentally, but retains the culinary characteristics of the species.

Ethnobotany: Myoga is an important traditional food plant in Japan, where the flower buds are used as a garnish and flavouring for soups, noodles, tofu and other dishes. Z. mioga is also traditionally associated with medicinal use in East Asia. The plant has therefore earned its place in both the vegetable garden and the ornamental border.

Growing conditions: Grow in a fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in part shade or light shade. It will tolerate some sun where adequate moisture is available. The rhizomes spread steadily to form substantial colonies, and a mulch is beneficial in colder gardens. The variegated cultivars are considered less hardy than green-leaved forms. 

Garden use: Particularly effective as a foliage plant in woodland gardens, exotic borders and shady edible planting. The fine, silvery-yellow markings provide a useful contrast to dark green ferns and broad-leaved woodland perennials. It also combines particularly well with Begonia, Deinanthe and other shade-loving plants — a ginger with considerably more garden mileage than its culinary reputation might suggest.

Flowering: August–October
Hardiness: H4–H5, approximately -15 to -10°C
Height: 50–80cm
Spread: 60–100cm