Myoga ginger

Is anyone growing it in their forest gardens? I'm interested in trying it! It looks like it should grow well in our climate, though I might need to keep an eye on the soil moisture levels. Interested to hear how it performs in a permaculture, and what it tends to grow well with.

Oh good luck with that Syd! I had the same thought and was give some lovely crowns from someone in England a few years ago. Apparently it was taking over a bit in their garden - too much of a good thing! With me however it faded away. Most of the crowns didn't shoot and those that did came up late in the year and never established, although some persisted a few years.
It has long roots like asparagus, and generally a similar growth habit I guess (except the flowers are a ground level I understand). I was really keen on trying it as a new perennial vegetable... I think I am too cool and probably too shady. It may have been better for me to have planted it in full sun rather than in my fruit garden jungle.

Interesting! I thought it liked part to full shade, so that's useful. I could try some in my existing (more wild and overgrown) woodland, if I clear out a little patch of stiltgrass for it, but this suggests I should do it in more of a gap. Thanks!!

I think it is likely to be temperature (and soil) dependant Syd. As I undestand it, Zingiber mioga is a Japanesse native, and the temperatures there are generally milder than the UK. My summer temperatures are pretty low (about 15 degrees Celsius is a warm day for me in summer) and I get pretty constant rain. If you have drier and hotter summers and are a bit further South.... Probably at least part shade, or shade in the evening might work for your plants. It does sound like if you get the right conditions they could be a useful ground cover in the Forest garden though.

I have 7 selections that I'm growing in zone 5 Maine.  This past winter we got to -20F and they all survived.  Mine are planted under fruit and nut trees and seem quite happy.  A few of them are in what I would consider near full shade (little to no direct sun, but not forest dark) and seem happy.  A few are in partial shade and they are quite happy too.