Adoxa moschatellina aka Moschatel

Adoxa moschatellina, or moschatel, is a small herbaceous perennial. It belongs to the Viburnaceae family. Its native range spans temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere. It is native to Britain and Ireland. In Britain, it grows widely in woods and other shady places. Hedgebanks also provide a home for this low-growing plant. Other names include muskroot, hollowroot and town hall clock.

The plant forms a low mat of divided leaves. Each leaf has lobed segments, giving the carpet a cut appearance. Its foliage is deciduous, rather than green all year. Rhizomes form part of its underground growth. In spring, upright flower stems rise above the leaves. These reach about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] tall. The RHS gives two to five years as its time to maturity. Its mat-forming habit makes it useful as low ground cover.

Flowers appear from the middle to the end of spring. Each stem carries one small cluster of five greenish flowers. Together, the flowers form a shape like a tiny cube. This flower arrangement gives the plant a clear point of interest. The blooms sit above the low carpet of lobed leaves. Both the foliage and flowers suit planting viewed at close range.

Grow moschatel in full or partial shade. It needs moist soil with plenty of humus. The soil should drain well while holding moisture. The RHS lists loam and neutral to alkaline soil as suitable. It also lists sheltered sites facing north, east or west. Its UK hardiness rating is H5. This covers minimum temperatures of about −15 to −10°C. The rating applies to UK growing conditions, not every climate.

Moschatel suits cottage gardens and informal planting schemes. It can cover soil beneath roses and shrubs. The RHS also lists it for wildlife gardens. Its small scale and shade needs suit woodland-style planting. It needs no pruning, which keeps routine care light. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Gardeners can raise plants from seed or divide the rhizomes. Choose a moist, shaded site that matches its natural woodland setting. Its main garden roles are low cover and spring interest.