To continue this discussion from an English perspective: Zingiber mioga is hardy and does well here in this cold part of southern England (-12 C minimum for past two winters), though it has never flowered. It seems to have been introduced to the UK from Japan by HJ Elwes of Colesbourne, some time prior to 1915 when his specimen was painted for Curtis's Botanical Magazine. My plants came from Stokes Tropicals, however! I've never seen a variegated one in the UK. Several Hedychium are hardy here but emerge late and seldom perform very well. They need more wamth and moisture than are usually available. This year we have had the warmth but no moisture. Cautleya spicata 'Robusta' is reliable in the open garden, though looking a bit droughty at present. Other species have been swamped by other plants and have died out. (Self-sown Impatiens are usually the culprits). Roscoea of all kinds do well and several self-sow abundantly (but not R. purpurea 'Red Gurkha'!), but they also need more moisture at present and are late this year. The yellow form of R. humeana is gorgeous at present, however. John Grimshaw Visit John Grimshaw's Garden Diary http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com/ Dr. John M. Grimshaw Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567