Mazus
( MAY - zus )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of low-growing perennial flowering plants includes species commonly used as groundcover or lawn substitute. Commonly called Musk, Teat, or simply Mazus, these plants need partial shade in the warmest climates of their zone range, as well as regular waterings for best flowering and performance. Individual plants grow to a few inches tall and spread to a foot or wider by stems that creep and root where they touch ground. Leaves are typically bright green, and flowers white or purple. Blooms pop in springtime to early summer, and appear in clusters of two to five. Use these plants to form a pollinator-friendly groundcover, in woodland, cottage, or informal gardens, or in containers or rock gardens. They appreciate moist soils, and do well planted in bioswales or rain gardens.
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Mazus species and varietals
The genus Mazus is the type genus member of the plant family Mazaceae and includes 40 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Greek word 'mazos' which means teat, referring to the two nipple-like structures within each flower. These plants grow best in zones 1-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Mazus miquelii (Mazus reptans) (Miquel's Mazus, Creeping Mazus) This species is native to Japan and China, and is a widely used groundcover. These plants spread rapidly by producing many slender stolons that root at nodes, and reach about three inches tall when in bloom. Spread is typically between 6 nd 12 inches. Flowers are blue or purple, and bloom from June through August. Take care when planting; this species is considered invasive in the Northeastern United States. |
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Mazus pumilio (Swamp Mazus) This species is native to eastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, and is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental. It creates a great groundcover that is completely prostrate, and forms wide, spreading patches of foliage. Flowers are light pink and white. |
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Mazus pumilus (Japanese Mazus) These plants are native to south and east Asia. These plants grow in grasslands, streambanks, and trailsides, and reaches up to a foot tall. Take care when planting, as Japanese Mazus is considered an invasive species in certain areas of North America. |
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Mazus radicans (Swamp Musk) This species is native to New Zealand, where it grows in wetlands. These small, creeping plants root at nodes, and produce small green leaves. Flowers are white to purple with yellow and purple markings towards the throat, and fruits that follow are pink and red. |
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Mazus reptans (Creeping Mazus) This species is native to East Asia, and has creeping, rooting stems. Foliage is green, and flowers are purple-blue to white in color. They bloom in late spring and summertime (usually between June and July). Individual plants reach up to around 2 inches tall when mature. Typically, these are deciduous plants, but are considered evergreen in warm-winter climates. |
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Caring for Mazus
FMazus plants can be purchased as starts from reputable nurseries, or be sown via seed over large areas of bare soil. These plants do best in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. Mazus will fill in areas of the garden more quickly the more sun it gets (ideally, between 6 and 8 hours each day), but does appreciate some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day. For best coverage as a groundcover or lawn replacement, install six plants for every nine square feet of space. If using Mazus as a lawn replacement, the lawn must be taken up first, as Mazus is not a competitive enough plant to starve out established grasses. Ensure that soil is well-draining, fertile, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). Mazus will not spread or grow well in areas where soil is overly compacted; they have delicate roots that cannot easily penetrate hard-packed substrate. This also means that although Mazus is a spreading plant, it will not aggressively spread and choke out other plants in the garden. Because these plants are so low-growing, adding mulch to the planting area is not appropriate. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, they appreciate consistently moist soil, and will not spread into areas without irrigation. On average, they'll need about an inch of water each week. If soil stays dry for too long, plants will begin to wilt and die off.
Each year in springtime, add a layer of compost to the planting area and work it into the soil where possible. This should be sufficient to keep plants fed through their active growing and flowering seasons. These plants do not need to be pruned, though if they die back the dead growth can be removed to improve appearance. Mazus can take some foot traffic, and can also be mowed (at a height of 3 inches) if desired. These plants quickly regrow, but if they are not spreading quickly enough on their own to fill a desired space, they can be propagated easily.
Each year in springtime, add a layer of compost to the planting area and work it into the soil where possible. This should be sufficient to keep plants fed through their active growing and flowering seasons. These plants do not need to be pruned, though if they die back the dead growth can be removed to improve appearance. Mazus can take some foot traffic, and can also be mowed (at a height of 3 inches) if desired. These plants quickly regrow, but if they are not spreading quickly enough on their own to fill a desired space, they can be propagated easily.
Propagation
Mazus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Mazus plant, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Mazus by Cutting
Propagating Mazus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Mazus by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Mazus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Problems and Pests
Mazus plants, though typically resilient landscape ornamentals, can be susceptible to issues with the following:
- Slugs and Snails
- Root Rot
- Rabbits
Gallery
Mazus is used in between stepping stones along this garden pathway.
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Above, Mazus is used as a lawn replacement groundcover.
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There are white-flowering varieties of Mazus.
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These plants can be grown either in the ground or in containers.
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Mazus is grown in the middle of stones in this front pathway alongside ornamental grasses, Rose, and Lamb's Ear.
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Individual flowers are quite intricate, with central white portions marked with reddish-pink freckles.
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Videos
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Mazus makes a great groundcover.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 438, Mazus reptans
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