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Winter Interest with Evergreen Perennials
Big Impact, Flowering Groundcover
- Charming, Miniature Blooms: Enjoy a carpet of tiny, snapdragon-like flowers in shades of purple-blue, lavender, or white (depending on the cultivar) throughout spring and early summer.
- Incredibly Low-Maintenance: This groundcover is a breeze to care for, requiring minimal watering, fertilizing, or mowing once established. It is perfect for busy gardeners or those with challenging growing conditions.
- Tough and Durable: Mazus reptans is surprisingly resilient. It can tolerate light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways, between steppingstones, or as a small-scale lawn substitute.
- Fast-Spreading Coverage: Quickly fill in bare spots and create a dense, weed-suppressing mat. It spreads readily by creeping stems that root at the nodes.
- Versatile Groundcover Solution: Ideal for a variety of landscape applications, including rock gardens, borders, edging, containers, and even as a living mulch around shrubs and trees.
- Adaptable to Sun and Shade: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, giving you flexibility in placement. (Note: Flowering will be most profuse in full sun.)
- Attracts Pollinators: The small flowers are attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.
- Deer Resistant: Deer tend not to bother this groundcover.
Site Selection:
- Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) to partial shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. In hotter climates (zones 8-9), some afternoon shade is beneficial.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. However, it is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as drainage is adequate. Avoid constantly soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal.
- Hardiness Zones: It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8.
Planting:
- Timing: Spring or early fall is the best time to plant.
- Spacing: Space plants 6-12 inches apart. Closer spacing will result in faster coverage.
- Depth: Plant at the same depth as the plant was growing in its container. The crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) should be level with the soil surface.
- Preparation: Dig a hole that is slightly wider and as deep as the root ball.
- Planting: Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
Watering and Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to establish a strong root system. Once established, Mazus reptans is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry periods. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Mulching: Apply a thin layer of organic mulch (shredded bark, compost) around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the crown of the plant.
- Fertilizing: Generally, not necessary. If growth is slow or foliage is pale, you can apply a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and reduced flowering.
- Weeding: Maintain a weed-free environment, particularly while plants are becoming established.
Pruning and Maintenance:
- Mowing (Optional): If used as a lawn alternative, Mazus reptans can be mowed occasionally on a high setting to maintain a neat appearance. However, mowing is not required.
- Shearing (Optional): After flowering, you can shear back the plants lightly to encourage bushier growth and potentially a second flush of blooms. This is not essential.
- Division (Optional): To propagate or rejuvenate older plants, divide them in spring or early fall. Dig up the clumps and carefully separate them into smaller sections, ensuring each section has roots and shoots. Replant immediately.
Propagation:
- Division: The easiest and most common method. Divide plants in spring or fall.
- Stem Cuttings: Take stem cuttings in spring or early summer. Root them in a moist potting mix or perlite.
- Seeds: Mazus reptans can be grown from seed, but germination can be erratic. Sow seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
Potential Problems:
- Slugs and snails: These pests can sometimes be a problem, especially in moist, shady conditions. Use organic slug and snail control methods if necessary.
- Root Rot If the soil does not have good drainage, and remains too wet, root rot can occur.
When selecting “evergreen” ground covers, consider choosing plants rated for a hardiness zone at least one colder than your own. This increases the chances they will remain evergreen throughout the year, even during harsher winters.