Family: Scrophulariaceae

Native to China, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, these prostrate perennials, closely related to Veronica, are useful for groundcover or rockeries. Most species are matforming, rooting readily where the stems touch moist soil. These are sometimes used as lawn substitutes.

Species

M. japonicas is a trailing, perennial herb with stems up to 30 cm (12 in) long. It has toothed, oval leaves and blue flowers. The lower lip of the flowers is spotted brown and bearded.

M. pumilio, zone 7, from Australia and New Zealand, is a dwarf, creeping type, forming a dense mat and with pinkish blue flowers with yellow throats in late spring and summer.

M. radicans, from New Zealand, has strong stems, thick, upright branches and narrow, oval leaves. The lovely, white flowers have yellow throats.

M. reptans, zone 3, produces rose to lavender flowers, the lower lip spotted in white, yellow or purple.

Cultivation

These plants prefer a moist, sandy soil, although they will tolerate all but very hot, dry conditions. Propagate by division in spring or from seed sown in spring or autumn and germinated in a garden frame. They can also be grown from seed sown in early spring and kept moist in warm weather.

Climate

Zone 6, unless otherwise indicated below.