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Ajuga (uh-JOO-guh)

Common Name:  Bugleweed

Light:  - Full sun to light shade

Soil:  Average to rich, well-drained

Moisture:  Average to somewhat moist, allow to dry between watering

Blooms:  Early summer

Zones:  3 - 9


Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

Ajuga Description and Cultural Information

Ajuga reptans, common bugleweed. 4"-10". This bugleweed is a fast spreading groundcover with flower spikes in the spring. 'Burgundy Glow' has variegated foliage of burgundy, cream, and green and 6" blue flowers. 'Catlin's Giant' has large purple-green foliage and 10" blue flowers. 'Purple Torch' has green leaves and 6" purplish-pink flowers. 'Metallica Crispa' has deep bronze-purple foliage that takes on a metallic sheen in some sun with 6" blue flowers.

Ajuga x tenorii 'Valfredda' (aka 'Chocolate Chip'). This is a neat little ajuga with miniature chocolate colored foliage and 3" blue flowers. It clumps more than it spreads and makes a great border plant. 'Toffee Chip' PPAF is a variegated form.

How to Grow:  Plant ajuga in the spring or fall into average to rich, well-drained soil in sun or dappled shade. Ajuga establishes and spreads quickly but can also be invasive. Provide good air circulation and good drainage to prevent crown rot. Plants in full sun will often need supplemental watering during the heat of the summer but let them dry out between watering to prevent crown rot.

Landscape uses:  Ajuga grows great in dry soil under shade trees where grass may not grow but it will also grow nice and thick in a fair amount of sunlight so works great as a border plant or in a rock garden. We use ajuga as a mass, weed-free groundcover in our lily beds. The flowers put on a beautiful show in spring and early summer and the foliage looks great all season long.

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