Semi-Evergreen Perennial Creeping, Mat-Forming in the Mazaceae Family
Buy Creeping Mazus
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A fast-spreading, low-growing perennial groundcover that blankets the ground in tiny two-lipped lavender-blue flowers from late spring into summer -- equally at home underfoot between pavers or filling in a shady, moist corner of the garden.
Mazus reptans, commonly called creeping mazus, is a mat-forming herbaceous perennial native to East Asia that has become a popular, well-behaved groundcover across much of the eastern and midwestern United States. Its wiry stems creep along the ground and root as they spread, quickly knitting together a dense, ground-hugging carpet of small, glossy, toothed leaves that stay green through most of the growing season and often persist into winter in milder climates. From late spring into summer, the foliage is covered in small, two-lipped, orchid-like flowers in shades of lavender-blue, each marked inside with white and yellow. Reaching only a few inches tall but spreading a foot or more, it tolerates light foot traffic and occasional mowing, making it a favorite for filling gaps between stepping stones, softening the edges of a path, or replacing turf in a small, moist, partly shaded area.
Pros
Thick, fast-spreading mat smothers weeds and fills bare spots quickly
Long bloom season of tiny lavender-blue flowers from late spring into summer
Tolerates light foot traffic and an occasional mowing
Low-maintenance with no serious pest or disease problems
Cons
Spreads aggressively by rooting stems and can escape its intended area if not edged
Prefers consistently moist soil; may thin out in hot, dry spells
Classified as naturalized/weedy in parts of the eastern U.S.
Highlights
A tough, fast groundcover for small or awkward spaces -- between pavers, edging a path, or filling a damp low spot -- that rewards minimal care with months of tiny lavender-blue blooms.
Plant Data
Mature Size
3 - 6 inches
tall. 6 - 12 inches
wide.
Growth Rate
Fast
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance
Medium - Wet
Zones
5a - 9b
(Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags
Deer Resistant, Extended Bloom Time, Foot Traffic Tolerant, Full Sun, Good for Rock Garden, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Medium, Non-Allergenic, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Wet
Pairs nicely with other shade-tolerant groundcovers and early bulbs -- try it with hostas, astilbe, ferns, or creeping thyme, or let it fill in around spring-blooming bulbs like crocus and daffodils once their foliage fades.
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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About Ordering From The Plant Club
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
No Pricing or Availability Right Now
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region.
It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!
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