Musky Marshpennywort: A Unique Ground Cover for Water Gardens
If you’re looking for an unusual ground cover that thrives in wet conditions, musky marshpennywort (Hydrocotyle moschata) might catch your attention. This quirky little perennial gets its name from the distinctive musky scent its leaves release when crushed, making it a conversation starter in any garden.
What is Musky Marshpennywort?
Musky marshpennywort is a low-growing perennial forb that belongs to the same family as carrots and parsley. As a forb, it’s an herbaceous plant without woody stems, meaning it dies back to the ground each winter in colder climates. Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you – this little plant is quite hardy and can spread to form attractive mats of rounded foliage.
Native Status and Distribution
Here’s something important to know: musky marshpennywort isn’t native to North America. Originally from South America, it has established itself in California, where it now reproduces on its own in the wild. While it’s not currently listed as invasive, its non-native status means you might want to consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits to local ecosystems.
Currently, this species is found growing wild only in California within the United States.
What Does It Look Like?
Musky marshpennywort produces small, round to kidney-shaped leaves that sit atop slender stems. The leaves have a distinctive scalloped edge and that characteristic musky fragrance when touched. In spring and summer, tiny white flowers appear, though they’re quite small and not particularly showy. The real appeal lies in the plant’s neat, mat-forming growth habit.
Growing Conditions and Care
This plant is all about the water! Musky marshpennywort thrives in:
- Consistently moist to wet soils
- Partial shade to full sun exposure
- USDA hardiness zones 8-11
- Areas that mimic its natural marsh habitat
You can grow it at the edges of ponds, in bog gardens, or even in containers with water features. It’s quite adaptable and can handle being partially submerged or growing in saturated soil conditions that would spell doom for many other plants.
Garden Design and Landscape Role
Musky marshpennywort works best as a ground cover in specialized garden settings. It’s perfect for:
- Water gardens and pond margins
- Bog gardens
- Rain gardens in appropriate climates
- Container water gardens
- Areas where you need a low-maintenance, moisture-loving plant
Its spreading habit makes it useful for covering bare soil in wet areas where other plants struggle to establish.
Planting and Care Tips
Growing musky marshpennywort successfully is pretty straightforward if you can meet its moisture needs:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Ensure soil stays consistently moist or wet
- Provide some protection from intense afternoon sun in hotter climates
- Allow space for spreading – it will naturally form colonies
- Minimal fertilization needed; it’s adapted to nutrient-poor conditions
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While the flowers are small, they do provide nectar for tiny insects and beneficial bugs. However, as a non-native species, musky marshpennywort doesn’t support native wildlife as effectively as indigenous plants would.
Should You Grow It?
Musky marshpennywort can be an interesting addition to specialized water gardens, especially if you’re looking for something unique and low-maintenance. However, since it’s not native to North America, you might want to consider native alternatives first.
Some excellent native options for similar wet conditions include native sedges, cardinal flower, or blue flag iris, depending on your region. These plants will provide similar aesthetic appeal while supporting local ecosystems and wildlife.
If you do choose to grow musky marshpennywort, be mindful of its spreading nature and keep it contained to prevent it from escaping into natural areas. As always, check with your local extension office about any regional concerns regarding non-native plants in your area.
