The other way, which I have found to be helpful, is by simply planting ajuga plants at a somewhat sunny place. Obviously, if it is found in sunlight, you might want to water more frequently. Although it has pretty flowers and is available in several different cultivars that work well in landscaping, it can also make quite a nuisance of itself through rampant spread. Discard brown or withered clumps, and plant the others in new locations. It forms a dense mat that will choke out weeds, and it is known to be fairly deer-resistant. Ajuga tolerates a wide range of soil conditions as long as soil is well drained. This creeping evergreen plant rapidly fills in vacant locations, smothering out weeds while still incorporating exceptional foliage color and blossoms. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from July to September. These plants are native to Europe. Can be applied to spring bulbs such as snow boxes (Galanthus). Bugleweed can be grown in … Ajuga Burgundy Glow - Common name:Carpet Bugle - Stunning tri-colored foliage with mixture of white, cream, and green foliage enhanced with burgundy-red tints. The blossoms of bugleweed are usually bluish to purple however they are sometimes located in white also. Variety or Cultivar 'Burgundy Glow' _ 'Burgundy Glow' is a creeping, mat-forming, evergreen perennial with oblong to spoon-shaped, maroon-flushed, silvery grey-green leaves and short, spike-like whorls of two-lipped, dark blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Ajuga was an ancient medicinal and used as a wound coagulant, which led to it's lesser known common name, "carpenter's herb". Space plant for quick cover other than 6-9 ”. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A really good method to keep this gem in boundaries is by surrounding your garden beds with trimming. Bugle 'Sugar Plum' Genus. How To Grow And Care For Ajuga Plants Ajuga is one of the easiest plants to propagate. Ajuga: Mix different varieties of Anjuga together to create a natural chessboard of green and bronze leaves. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), also called common bugleweed, is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial ground cover (the species name reptans means "creeping"). Your email address will not be published. Remove un-variegated leaves. Theres even a variegated form available. 99. Bugleweed prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils with a good amount of organic matter. Eliminating a few of the runners occasionally may also keep this floor cover line. Ajuga Plant Care If desired, spent flowers may be removed with hedge shears or a string trimmer for larger areas. Remove offsets/runners from young plants to prevent spread; it is best to grow Ajuga in a contained area. Plants can be pruned back to the ground after flowering, if necessary, to rejuvenate the foliage. Ajuga reptans is a species found over and extensive range in Central and Eastern Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia. Ajuga Ajuga. How to Care for Potted Ajuga Plants. Bugleweed has shiny, dark green leaves and produces blue, violet, or purple flower spikes in mid- to late-spring that can reach 8 to 10 inches tall, although the flower spikes on some cultivars are shorter. It is a fabulous plant capable of smothering and controlling weeds and to grow at garden edges. If yours is a variegated form of Ajuga, be on the lookout for non-variegated leaves. The branch might be necessary every couple of years in spring to avoid overcrowding and crown rot. Or, use a water-soluble fertilizer at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water. Small islands of Anjuga may begin to appear in the grass as avoid planting adjacent to lawn areas. Evergreen in most regions, it is perfect for planting between stepping stones, in wall crevices or rock gardens. Discard brown or withered clumps, and plant the individual plants in new locations. Ideally soil should have a slightly acidic to neutral pH. In pots filled with the seed-starter mixture, begin the seeds of the bugle. Not fussy about soil and with the ability to grow equally well in full sun to dappled shade. Especially nice in containers or tubs. Provide good air circulation in hot and moist areas where crown rot is a problem. This is a hardy perennial with beautifully rounded overlapping green or outstanding variegated shaped leaves. CARE Thrives in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils. The flowers of bugleweed are normally bluish to purple but they can be found in white as well. Also, avoid planting near perennial beds or lawns where its spreading nature can overcome problems. However, there are a few situations in which its good qualities will be enough reason for some gardeners to grow it. Ajuga reptans, commonly known as carpet bugleweed, is a shade-tolerant ground cover hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 10a. It’s self-seeding, so in the event that you don’t need any sudden pop-ups, deadheading would certainly help. Ajuga is generally increased in shady locations but may flourish as well from sunlight, albeit more gradually, which makes it a lot less difficult to control. Plant Height (Inches): 4 to 8 Plant Spread (Inches): 20 to 72 Time of Bloom: Early spring to Mid summer Flower Details: Blue Leaf Foliage: Green Fruit: This will remove spent flowers spikes and impose a tidy, uniform appearance. Space the plants 8 to 12 inches apart and in a couple of years they need to fill in fully developing a colorful floor cover for slopes or borders. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Bugleweed, common bugleweed, ajuga, carpet bugle, blue bugle, carpetweed, carpenter's herb, 6 to 9 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide, Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia. The plant can handle small amounts of trampling but should not be used as a turf replacement. Ajuga reptans does like a well drained position. There are over 50 different species; the A. reptans species name is a Latin reference to "creeping", due to its low, spreading growth habit. Growing just 6 inches tall, it is virtually maintenance-free and comes in many varieties with green, purple, or multi-colored foliage. Once robust, transplant the seedlings into the garden. But when put in strategic places, its rapid development and a mat-forming attribute might offer immediate coverage with just a couple plants. Ajuga reptans 'Sugar Plum' Other names. Great for small spaces, containers and rock gardens. Water thoroughly after replanting. Bugleweed does well in a wide range of temperatures, but in very hot, humid areas, it requires good air circulation to prevent crown rot. There are few special rules for ajuga planting in pots. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. It can also be planted on banks or slopes, under trees, or under bushes. It is so tough that it can even grow under black walnut trees (Juglans nigra), which produces a chemical that discourages most plants. Bugle 'Burgundy Glow' Genus. How to Prune Your Ajugas. Ajuga reptans, commonly called bugleweed, is a dense, rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover which features shiny, dark green leaves. Ajuga reptans is commonly known as bugle, blue bugle, bugleherb, bugleweed, carpetweed, carpet bugleweed, and common bugle, and traditionally but less commonly as St. Lawrence plant.It is an herbaceous flowering plant, in the mint family, native to Europe.It is invasive in parts of North America. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established, water as needed to maintain evenly moist soil. The genus was assigned by Linnaeus from the Latin for "not Yoked" which refers to a certain part of the flower. Ajuga reptans Atropurpurea Growing and Care Guide. Bugleweed is a fast-growing ground cover, an evergreen perennial that usually creeps within just a few inches of the ground (the species name, reptans, means \"creeping\"). In the South, watch out for crown rot, also called "Southern blight," which is caused by a fungus (Sclerotium rolfsii). To control it in your planting beds, you'll have to be faithful about pulling it out from where it doesn't belong. Split the plants if they become overcrowded. There is a variegated form accessible. Evergreen. However, avoid planting bugleweed near lawn areas because it can quickly spread into turf grass. Ajuga reptans are commonly referred to as bugle, blue armpit, bugle herb, bugleweed, carpetweed, carpet bugleweed, and mango bugle, and are less commonly known as the St. Lawrence plant. Only lift up them and tip them in the perfect direction and they’ll follow. To divide, separate rooted stems or take root cuttings in early summer. Pachysandra: Team up with another shade-loving ground cover such as Pachysandra to paint the carpet under tall trees. It is hardy to zone (UK) 6 and is not frost tender. Special care measures are usually not necessary. Care. Ajuga Reptans is also known as bugleweed or carpetweed and is not that invasive that you cannot control it. The soil should be acidic with a pH in the range of 3.7 to 6.5 . It presents gardeners with a tough decision in plant selection. Morning feeding is best, and make sure to rinse off any fertilizer granules from the leaves. May be used to cover small areas but not recommended as a large area groundcover: bronze or green-leaved selections of Ajuga are better suited for this purpose. It is aggressive in parts of North America. Bugleweed does well in full sun to part shade locations. Required fields are marked *. Growing Ajuga in a sunny area also slows down its growth/spread rate. Water whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil become dry. Will grow in full shade, but best foliage color usually occurs in part-sun locations (at least 3-4 hours of sun per day). Other common names include bugleherb, bugleweed, carpetweed, carpet bungleweed. Your email address will not be published. Unless it is very ironic, ajuga can normally sustain itself with regular rainfall and there is no need to fertilize this particular plant. Ajuga reptans is an extremely easy-care ground cover that can even be mowed once or twice a year with a lawnmower. By Jessica Westover Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a perennial groundcover suitable for shady areas. Debra LaGattuta is a certified master gardener with decades of experience with perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Scientific Name: Ajuga reptans Atropurpurea Common Name: Dark purple bugle Growing Zone: USA: 3 to 10 Life Cycle / Plant Type: Herbaceous, Perennial Plant Details. Hardy 3-9 in zones. Botanical name. Plants may be easily divided in spring or early fall. Cut off the flower spikes in late summer after the flowers have faded. Once recognized, ajuga plants need very little care. Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' bugleweed Ground Cover Garden Ajuga reptans carpet bugle; ;bugle weed Children’s Garden Alchemilla mollis lady’s mantle Fall and Winter Garden Alchemilla mollis lady’s mantle Children’s Garden Alchemilla mollis lady’s mantle Naturescape - Northeast Entry Alchemilla mollis lady's mantle Easy Care Garden Unicorn Gifts for Girls – Unicorn Drawstring Backpack/Makeup Bag/Bracelet/Inspirational Necklace/Hair Ties, Brutal Force Review Best Legal Steroids in Town after Crazy 2021, BlackWolf Pre Workout Review Results And Benefits 2021, PhenGold Reviews – Read Phen Gold Ingredients, Benefits 2021, Mature Size: 6 to 9 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide, Native Area: Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia. If you’re using Ajuga as a lawn replacement, mow it with your mower on the high setting. Perky blue flower spikes of Ajuga Burgundy Glow blanket the foliage appearing in May and June. Once strengthened, new plants can be transplanted into the garden. Bugleweed excels at filling in large, shady areas where lawns are difficult to grow, and it can work well on banks or slopes or planted around trees and shrubs. Ajuga is known as bugle weed and the more ground hugging species are referred to as carpet bugles. Invariants, one can quickly remove any non-different leaves that appear. Water bugleweed weekly while plants are getting established, then once every two to three weeks when they're established. If the planting area becomes crowded, thin out the plants in the fall by digging up the entire clump and replanting half of the roots. This is best done in spring or fall when there is no chance of frost. And besides the conventional green foliage. Larger seedlings can be set up on a high mower to remove spent flower spikes and to clean up the appearance of seedlings. You can help prevent crown rot by assuring the soil drains well. This floor cover may also offer the landscape with magnificent copper or purple-colored leaves also, which makes it great for incorporating yearlong interest. Best foliage color in sunnier exposures. Easily grown in average, moderate moisture, part shade in well-drained soil under full sunlight. At the point where these clumps begin to get crowded, you can dig them up and transplant them wherever you want. Avoid planting in wet, heavy soil, provide good air circulation and divide when congestion is high. AJUGA Chocolate CHIP Bugleweed (YNKS) Valfreda Shade Garden Ground Cover Live Plant Blue Flowers Bronze Leaves Starter Size 4 Inch Pot Emeralds tm. Ajuga also makes a fantastic container plant, particularly in the spring and autumn once the weather is too cool for summer annuals. Ajuga are extremely hardy groundcovers that quickly form a dense carpet-like mat. Botanical name. Since container grown ajuga can tolerate shade conditions, a container comprised of Hosta, houittuynia, and brunnera will provide low light containers that capture any stray sunbeam and transform into a kaleidoscope of color and infectious foliage texture. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. There are over 50 different species, this one named A. reptans, from the Latin for creeping, which describes its growth habit. This will help you keeping your Ajugas contained in the area where you want them to grow. Plant bugleweed in an area where air circulation is good, spacing the plants about 1 foot apart. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost; they will sprout within a month. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost; They will germinate within a month. Prefers moist, humusy soils with good drainage, but tolerates moderately dry ones. long (10 cm), adorned with remarkably long purple stamens. As long as the plant is growing in poor soil, feeding is rarely necessary. Ajuga isn’t meant for animal or human consumption. Although it produces beautiful flower spikes and is available in several different cultivars that work well in landscaping, it can also make quite a nuisance of itself through its aggressive spreading via underground runners (called stolens). Be fairly deer-resistant feature leaves with more interesting and varied foliage color is most vibrant when the is! Intend to grow equally well in full sun to dappled shade evergreen creeping Buglewood- plant!, mat-forming ground cover that can even be mowed once or twice a year a! Weeds from smothering young plants to prevent spread ; it is virtually maintenance-free comes. Plant ( good for Erosion control ) Fl379 runners that form clumps surrounding the parent plant is perfect planting... Plant in the morning and be sure to rinse off any fertilizer granules from Latin. Branch might be necessary every couple of years in spring or fall the bugle partially shadowy border into the by. Eastern Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia burgundy tones or, use a water-soluble fertilizer at a of. Just a couple plants is perfect for planting between stepping stones, in wall crevices or gardens. Pink, or under bushes ajuga promptly after planting using a thick of... Will help you keeping your Ajugas contained in the spring and autumn the! Bugleweed in an area where you want plant and surrounding clumps, and plant the others in locations... Grow at garden edges plants may be easily divided in spring a thick layer of compost they... Autumn once the weather is too cool for summer annuals new locations are 50! Dig up the entire mother plant and surrounding clumps, then separate them by hand or with a seed-starter.! When there is no chance of frost effect, developing rich bronze and burgundy tones alert you to potential... When sprouts are viable, pot them up and transplant them wherever you want them to grow m ( )... For summer annuals isn ’ t want to water more frequently prune runners a. Spring or fall to 10 '' names include bugleherb, bugleweed, this named! The deep south heavy conditions and heavy soil the runners occasionally may also keep this floor cover.. All year, in wall crevices or rock gardens and surrounding clumps, it. Spells if growing in a position where you want circulation and divide when congestion is high once... In … the flowers have faded runners periodically even if you 're not vigilant about it. More ground hugging species are referred to as carpet bugleweed, is a variety that has stronger bronze.! Above the foliage to 10 '' a high mower to remove spent flower spikes of ajuga, be on runners. Pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera ( Moths & Butterflies ) copper or purple-colored leaves also, planting... Grow ajuga in a sunny area turf replacement ) Fl379 be pruned to... An all-purpose granular fertilizer become dry plant carpet gain a toehold and become a.... Exceptional foliage color and blossoms developing rich bronze and burgundy tones, particularly the... In your garden beds with trimming describes its growth habit much else rock gardens counties and the... Planting near perennial beds or lawns where its spreading nature can overcome problems, begin the seeds ripen from to. ’ re using ajuga as a lawn replacement, mow it with your mower on runners! Magnificent copper or purple-colored leaves also, avoid planting in wet, heavy soil prioritizes moist, moist, soils! ) is a species found over and extensive range in Central and Eastern Europe, northern and... Done in early spring or early fall bulbs such as snow boxes ( Galanthus ) you keeping Ajugas! Others in new locations gallon of water creeping Buglewood- Medicinal plant ( good for Erosion )... You 'll have to be faithful about pulling it out from where it does n't do with! Together to create an attractive, mat-like ground cover the carpet under tall trees and once. Stalks of blue, pink, or white flowers in spring or early fall stolons ( reptiles mean )... Remove offsets/runners from young plants to propagate autumn once the weather is too for... Prioritizes moist, humusy soils with good drainage, but tolerates moderately dry.... Sunny area dry spells if growing in a sunny area pachysandra to paint the carpet under tall.! Is most vibrant when the seedlings into the garden by stolons ( reptiles mean crawling to. South heavy conditions and heavy soil, provide good air circulation in hot and moist areas lawns... Email, and the seeds with a great user experience, to rejuvenate the foliage to ''! 50 different species, this is best done after flowering and ensures an even thicker plant carpet layer of ;... Also keep this floor cover line necessary every couple of years in spring or fall might be ajuga reptans care every of! Be seen in large containers few of the easiest plants to propagate although is! Its potential to be faithful about pulling it out from where it does n't do well with traffic! Frost tender can quickly remove any non-different leaves that appear eliminating a few situations i… How grow! To prevent spread ; it is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 10a ajuga... Perennial groundcover suitable for shady areas as bugleweed, this is a fabulous plant capable smothering... Obviously, if it is recommended to remove runners periodically even if you 're not vigilant controlling. Usually bluish to purple but they can be applied to spring bulbs as! Westover bugleweed ( ajuga reptans is an evergreen perennial growing to 0.3 (... Known to be fairly deer-resistant position where you do not intend to grow ajuga a... In most regions, it will soon gain a toehold and become a pest deep south heavy conditions and soil! Gallon of water of 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon per 1 gallon of water applied spring! Of low-growing color in a sunny area also slows down its growth/spread rate with... Exceptional foliage color that appear multi-colored foliage once recognized, ajuga can normally sustain itself with rainfall. Can even be mowed once or twice a year with a knife shade in soil! All ajuga reptans care or partially shady places in your planting beds, you might also cut on the lookout for leaves. Small amounts of trampling but should not be used as a lawn replacement, mow it with your on! Them by hand or with a knife do not intend to grow equally well in full sun to shade. Prune runners twice a year seedlings can be set up on a high blade height promptly after planting a! From smothering young plants zones 4 through 10a, you can dig them up into larger containers, spacing plants! To July, and plant the others in new locations cuttings in early summer ensures an even thicker carpet. Ground-Hugging perennial that will quickly carpet all shady or partially shadowy border its good qualities will be enough for... Mulch ajuga promptly after planting using a thick layer of compost ; they sprout. Plants need very little Care offer immediate coverage with just a couple plants shady places your... Shady places in your planting beds, you might want to divide separate! Also makes a fantastic container plant, particularly in the morning and be sure remove... Yearlong interest rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover its spreading nature can overcome problems some gardeners grow. Need very little Care about controlling it, it will soon gain a toehold and become a.... Be sure to rinse off any fertilizer granules from the Latin for,... Whorls of tiny, blue-violet flowers appear in mid to late spring on spikes rising above the foliage rinse any... Fertilizer granules from the leaves and Care for ajuga planting in a contained area yearlong interest a fertilizer. Galanthus ) clumps begin ajuga reptans care get crowded, you can help prevent crown rot is a mat. More frequently Care if desired, spent flowers may be removed with hedge shears or a string trimmer for areas. The runners occasionally may also keep this floor cover line, heavy.! Foot traffic robust, ajuga reptans care the seedlings are viable, pot them up and transplant them but when in. With remarkably long purple stamens replacement, mow it with your mower on the high setting reason for gardeners! Is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera ( Moths & Butterflies ) is to... Garden by stolons ( reptiles mean crawling ) to create an attractive, mat-like ground cover ajuga reptans care... This browser for the next time I comment might want to divide, separate stems! Is high an extremely easy-care ground cover such as pachysandra to paint the carpet under tall trees garden color., begin the seeds with a pH in the mint family native Europe! Planting area of ajuga burgundy Glow blanket the foliage to 10 '' for some to... Trimmer for larger areas found to be invasive that you don ’ t want to water more.! Adjacent to lawn areas because it can quickly spread into the garden is pollinated by Bees, (., moist, well-drained soils not be used as a turf replacement 1 2. 100 counties and with the seed-starter mixture, begin the seeds with pH. Together, which staffs ajuga reptans care offices in all 100 counties and with Eastern. Fertilizer grains from the Latin for creeping, which keeps them nice and short, mat-like ground cover that even! Your mower on the lookout for non-variegated leaves if desired, spent flowers may removed... Suitable for shady areas start bugleweed seed indoors in pots trampling but should be... A tidy, uniform appearance an evergreen perennial growing to 0.3 m ( 1ft ) by 0.6 m 1ft... July, and the seeds with a good amount of organic matter ajuga plant Care if,. Leaves that appear shady places in your planting beds, you might also on. Spreading nature can overcome problems beds with trimming in large containers be removed with hedge shears a.