Ajuga spp.
bugles
Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa, and Australia
Overview
Ajuga spp. is a genus of around 40 species of annual and perennial plants in the mint family Lamiaceae, native across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The most familiar species are low, mat-forming perennials that spread by creeping runners to form dense carpets of foliage 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) high. The leaves form rosettes and are oval, sometimes glossy, and in many cultivars are flushed bronze, purple, or variegated. In spring and early summer, short upright spikes 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) tall carry whorls of small two-lipped flowers, usually blue to violet, occasionally pink or white. The square stems and two-lipped flowers mark the genus as a member of the mint family. A. reptans is the species most often grown as a groundcover, used to cover shaded ground quickly. That same vigor can make it spread into lawns and neighboring beds, where it is hard to remove. A few species, such as A. chamaepitys, are low annuals of dry, open ground rather than spreading mats. Plants tolerate a range of soils but can rot in hot, humid, poorly drained sites.
Native Range
Ajuga spp. is native across Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa, and Australia, growing in woodland, grassland, and disturbed ground. A. reptans is widespread through Europe and has naturalized in North America.Suggested Uses
Grown as a groundcover and edging in shade and part shade, where it covers bare soil under trees and shrubs and between stepping stones. The colored-leaf cultivars are used for foliage contrast in shaded plantings. Its spreading habit suits banks and difficult ground but calls for containment near lawns.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 10"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in mid to late spring and into early summer, roughly April to June, with short spikes of blue to violet flowers held above the foliage. The main flush lasts three to four weeks. Scattered later flowers sometimes appear through summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to violet, occasionally pink or whiteFoliage Description
green, often bronze or purpleGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Bugleweed grows in part shade to full shade and tolerates full sun where soil stays moist, in almost any soil that is not bone dry. It spreads fastest in moist, fertile ground, forming a dense carpet that suppresses weeds. Most perennial species are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. In hot, humid climates good drainage and air movement help prevent crown rot, which can open bare patches in a planting. The runners root as they spread and can move into lawns and borders, so an edging or regular trimming keeps a planting in bounds. Plants need little feeding and are easily divided in spring or autumn.Pruning
Shear off the spent flower spikes after bloom to tidy the mat and reduce excess seeding. Trim or edge the runners through the season to stop the planting spreading into lawns and beds. Lift and divide overgrown patches in spring or autumn to renew them.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons