Ajuga reptans

Ajuga retains

 

Common name: bugleweed

Family: Lamiaceae

Leaf: shiny, dark green leaves

Flowers: whorls of tiny, blue-violet flowers appearing in mid to late spring on spikes rising above the foliage to 10".

Habit: dense, rapidly spreading, mat-forming groundcover; Form: matting

Height: 0.25'-0.75'; Spread: 1'-2'

Culture: Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils with good drainage, but tolerates moderately dry ones. Will grow in full shade, but best foliage color usually occurs in part-sun locations (at least 3-4 hours of sun per day). Provide good air circulation in hot and humid areas where crown rot is a problem. Divide plants if they become overcrowded. This low-growing bugleweed will spread in the garden by stolons (reptans means creeping) to form a mat-like ground cover. Plants may be cut back to the ground after flowering, if necessary, to rejuvenate the foliage. Large plantings may be mowed on a high mower setting to remove spent flower spikes and to tidy the appearance of the planting. Space plants 6-9” apart for prompt cover. On variegated forms promptly remove any non-variegated leaves that may appear. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8.

Uses: As a groundcover. Will fill in large, shady areas where lawns are difficult to establish. May also be planted on banks or slopes, under trees or around shrubs. Can be planted over spring bulbs such as snowdrops (Galanthus). Avoid planting adjacent to lawn areas, as it could easily spread to the grass. Good for small spaces, containers and rock gardens, in between pavers

Origin: Europe