Mazus

Mazus

Mazus japonicus
A low, dense, spreading, groundcover annual, reaching up to 3 inches x 3 feet, that is native from eastern Russia to Korea and Japan; south to India to Indonesia to Phillipines.
The leaves are up to 2.3 x 0.6 inches in size. The foliage is luxuriant mid-green.
The flowers, up to 0.5 inches long, are borne during late spring into early summer over a period lasting 1 1/2 months.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in partial shade.

Mazus pumilio
A rhizomatous, tufted, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 inches x 3.3 + feet, that is native to New Zealand and southeastern Australia.
The leaves are up to 3.2 inches in length.
The white or lilac snapdragon-like flowers are borne duirng summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in partial shade on moist soil.

Mazus radicans
A fast growing, creeping groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 inches x 2.5 feet, that is native to New Zealand. The stems are self-layering, rooting as they touch the ground.
The leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are luxuriant lime-green, turning to bronze-green during winter.
The white ( blotched with violet and with a yellow center ) flowers are borne during summer.
Hardy zones 6b to 9 in full sun to partial shade on moist soil.

Mazus reptans
A very vigorous, creeping, mat-forming, semi-evergreen, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 inches x 3 feet, that is native to the Himalayas. The stems self root as they spread and the plant can take heavy foot traffic.
It looks great between stepping stones or planted under large shrubs and Roses.
The toothed, lance-shaped leaves, up to 1 inch in length, are luxuriant glossy bright green. It is evergreen in zone 8.
The purplish-blue, tubular flowers, up to 0.7 inches across, are borne during late spring into early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade on moist, light, well drained soil.
Can be propagated from half hardened stem cuttings during summer and fall.

* photo taken on Apr 4 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 4 2011 in Howard Co, MD

* photos taken on May 8 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 19 2019 in Columbia, MD

'Alba'
White flowers, otherwise identical.

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on on Aug 23 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 8 2017 in Columbia, MD