County Gardeners Extension Express

Ajuga

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans), also known as carpet bugle, bugleweed, or carpet bugleweed, is a low-growing, perenni-al, evergreen groundcover that produces six-inch-tall spikes of small blue flowers that are produced in spring to early summer and are especially attractive when plants are massed together.

This low-growing groundcover produces a layer of dark green to bronze- or purple-colored leaves in a flat ro-sette, spreading fairly quickly by runners or stolons. The low-growing habit and small leaves of the bugleweed cover the ground in a thick, lush layer of green, perfect for filling in among other plants in the landscape. There are se-lections with foliage variegated in green, white, red, yellow, and pink.

The mass of green works well with different flower colors, but bright and light colors will show the best compared to the dark green and purple-colored foliage. Sim-ple small or medium size flowers will contrast with the tiny foliage without adding too much detail. Colors in the variegated foliage varieties are primarily warm colors, con-trasting flowers would include blues and purples or a simple color palette can be used by repeating the same warm colors with yellow, pink, or red flowers in companion plants.

Available cultivars include: 'Multicoloris,' leaves mottled red, white, and yel-low on green; 'Alba,' white flowers; 'Atropurpurea,' bronze foliage and blue flowers; 'Burgundy Glow,' new leaves bright burgundy-red, mature leaves cream/white and dark pink; 'Rubra,' rose flowers, more vigorous; 'Variegata,' grey-green leaves with cream markings.

Ajuga should be planted on 6- to 12-inch centers in well-drained soil for quick establishment. It has moderate drought tolerance and prefers part shade/part sun but does well in the shade.

Ajuga is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe. It isn’t always recommended in the landscape because it can be in-vasive. But, if you find that location where a grass– or vine-type groundcover isn’t what you want, give Ajuga a try.

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