This low-growing, creeping evergreen groundcover is one of the few that tolerates dry shade. With adequate moisture, bugleweed rapidly carpets the ground with showy green or multicolor foliage. But be careful where you plant it because it can invade lawns. Other common names: bugle, blue bugle, bugleherb, brown bugle, carpetweed, carpet bungleweed,, carpenter's herb, middle compound, middle consound, yellow bugle Botanical name: Ajuga reptans Synonyms: Ajuga repens Family: Mint Family – Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
Sunlight: part shade, full shade May tolerate direct sun for part of the day if moisture is adequate, but excessive sun may scorch plants Soil conditions: requires well-drained soil, tolerates low fertility Will grow in poor soils. Hardiness zones: 3 to 9 May be only marginally hardy in Zone 3. Lifecycle: perennial Ease-of-care: easy This plant is easy to grow, but may pose a management issue if spreading needs to be limited. Height: 10-15 cm / 4-6 inches Height is for plants not in flower. Flower stems may rise up to 6" above foliage. Spread: 30-45 cm / 12-18 inches Can continue spreading by underground stolons, even invading lawn. Time to ultimate height: 2-5 years | Bloom time: late spring, early summer Flower color: blue, indigo, violet, white, pink Most have deep blue blooms, but some cultivars have white, pink or purple flowers. Foliage color: medium green, dark green, variegated The foliage may be medium to deep green, tinted with purple, maroon, or bronze, or multicolor, varying with individual cultivars. Purple-leaved plants are generally most heat and cold tolerant. Tolerates: heat Purple leaved plants are generally most heat and cold tolerant. Special characteristics: deer resistant aggressive - Can spread into garden areas and lawn if not contained. non-invasive not native to North America - Native to Europe, Iran and Caucasus Mountains. evergreen |
Cultivation:
Good ground cover plant, although may be considered invasive. Will scorch in full sun. Will tolerate poor soils
How to plant:
Propagate by cuttings, division or separation - Divide or take cuttings in early summer after flowering has ceased.
Maintenance and care:
This plant may invade lawns if not kept in check. Can be difficult to eliminate from garden once established. Deadhead to reduce spread by seed and to maintain best foliage quality. Allow good air circulation, and thin plants if overly crowded to reduce risk of rot.
Suggested planting locations and garden types:
Banks and Slopes Low Maintenance Flower borders and beds Ground Cover Cottage & Informal Garden Wildflower meadow Wildlife Gardens
Pruning: No pruning required
Diseases:
Fungal root rot
Southern blight
Crown rot
Fungal leaf spot
May suffer from powdery mildews
Good ground cover plant, although may be considered invasive. Will scorch in full sun. Will tolerate poor soils
How to plant:
Propagate by cuttings, division or separation - Divide or take cuttings in early summer after flowering has ceased.
Maintenance and care:
This plant may invade lawns if not kept in check. Can be difficult to eliminate from garden once established. Deadhead to reduce spread by seed and to maintain best foliage quality. Allow good air circulation, and thin plants if overly crowded to reduce risk of rot.
Suggested planting locations and garden types:
Banks and Slopes Low Maintenance Flower borders and beds Ground Cover Cottage & Informal Garden Wildflower meadow Wildlife Gardens
Pruning: No pruning required
Diseases:
Fungal root rot
Southern blight
Crown rot
Fungal leaf spot
May suffer from powdery mildews
Varieties
http://www.perennials.com/results.html?findplant=Ajuga
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/ajuga/
http://www.perennialresource.com/encyclopedia/view/?plant=23
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ajuga/ajuga-bugleweed.htm
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/ajuga-reptans-atropurpurea/classid.218/
http://www.perennials.com/results.html?findplant=Ajuga
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/ajuga/
http://www.perennialresource.com/encyclopedia/view/?plant=23
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ajuga/ajuga-bugleweed.htm
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/ajuga-reptans-atropurpurea/classid.218/
Sources:
www.gardening.cornell.edu
https://www.rhs.org.uk/
http://www.perennials.com
missouribotanicalgarden.org/
www.gardening.cornell.edu
https://www.rhs.org.uk/
http://www.perennials.com
missouribotanicalgarden.org/
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b200
http://www.arkive.org/bugle/ajuga-reptans/