How to Grow and Care for Mazus

Japanese Mazus was introduced to the United States from Japan. It is a small, upright, annual flower whose purple blooms have yellow spots. Although its natural habitat is mostly wetlands, it can also be found in disturbed areas such as fields and sidewalk cracks.

Mazus miquelii spreads rapidly by producing significant amounts of slender stolons which root at the nodes. The leaves are undivided and teethed along the margins. The blue or purple flowers are bilateral and have 5 petals which emerge during the summer.

Mazus fukienensis is a perennial herb often found in moist, shaded environments, reflecting its preference for humid conditions. It is characterized by small, oval-shaped leaves that grow in a rosette pattern, and its summer blooms feature delicate tubular flowers, typically purple or pink. This ground-cover plant is recognized for its creeping stems that enable it to spread across the forest floor, creating a carpet of greenery interspersed with vibrant blossoms.

Mazus fauriei is a unique wildflower that is endemic to Taiwan and can be found flowering in the spring on the coastal cliffs of the island nation. Its appearance and isolation on the island have led it to be very easy to identify because it does not resemble any other wildflower in the region.

Baby jump-up is found throughout China and Korea, growing on the edges of trails and in damp forests, and producing small blue flowers in the spring. The flowers attract pollinators and are a popular ground cover in Asian gardens.