Susan is also blogging at GardenRant.Ajuga reptans / Creeping bugleweed
An evergreen groundcover for shade, with gorgeous blooms — what's not to like? Well, a couple of potential problems, depending on which you select. Keep reading.
'Catlin's Giant' is 8" tall in bloom. 'Cristata' holds up well in harsh winters.
Uses
Shady sites. Can take light foot traffic and even occasional mowing.
Aggressive?
Barbara Ellis (below) describes it as "fast-spreading to invasive" with the ability to out-compete other perennials. I haven't seen it be that vigorous in my area, but she may be referring to the faster-spreading plain old species, not the less vigorous types with variegated foliage that are quite well behaved. Author di Sabato-Aust says if your Ajuga is spreading aggressively, at least it's easy to yank (unlike, say, liriope spicata or most famously, bamboo).
Details
- Full shade is fine, but part shade is best for good color. Will scorch in full sun.
- Grows to 3-4 inches, then 6 inches with blooms.
- Blue flowers on tall spikes late spring and early summer.
- Hardy in Zones 3-9.
- Native to the woodlands of Europe and Asia.
- Some varieties will return to their plain foliage, and some don't ever bloom. (It happens!)
- Is reproted to attract hummingbirds
Care
- They're evergreen, so don't prune for winter.
- In moist warm weather, can be killed by crown rot, so in humid regions divide every 2-3 years to reduce the likelihhood of that.
- It needs an average amount of water, so give it some during periods of drought if you want it to live. (It's NOT the highly drought-tolerant category.)
- Deadhead to improve apperance.
Good Information in Print
- Covering Ground
by Barbara W. Ellis - Encyclopedia of Perennials
by Graham Rice is exhaustive and an outstanding general resource on the subject. - The Well Tended Perennial Garden
by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is the best-selling book on how to make your perennials healthier and better-looking.
Location matters
I grow Ajuga in the Washington, D.C. area, Zone 7A. If you've grown it and want to add your two cents, drop me a note. Susan
Top photo Missouri Botanical Garden. Lower photo via Flickr.