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Growing Bugleweed as a Garden Groundcover
Ajuga reptans
Ajuga reptans... the bugleweed is a highly variable plant species. It is one
of the best known and most useful ground covers, suiting many different
situations and color schemes.
Depending on the variety, the flowers may be rose or white, but the most commonly
found color is a shade of purplish blue. The foliage color ranges from green
to bronze to purple. There is also variegated forms available. (Ajuga reptans
variegata is pictured below) Ajuga is evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending
on the variety, and is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
The blooming period ranges from early spring up until mid July with the peak
blossom period in May and June.
Generally, most types of Ajuga only reach a height of 6-9 inches when in full
bloom. It grows along the ground, spreading by runners, and soon creates a
thick carpet of foliage.
Ajuga is excellent plant to use for erosion control due to it's extensive
root system!
Ajuga is a member of the mint family, and like most mints, its rapid growth
rate may create problems. If this invasive attribute of Ajuga is a problem,
it may be necessary to use some type of edging material to keep it within
bounds.
Ajuga tolerates a wide range of soil conditions as long as soil is well drained.
The soil pH should be somewhere within the range
of 3.7 to 6.5. It may be grown in any type of light from full sun to full
shade. The leaves will tend to be smaller when grown in full sun, but the
plant will produce more flower spikes. Ajuga prefers moist soil, but will
tolerate drought remarkably well.
Established plants should be set or transplanted in the garden in early spring.
Plant them 12 to 15 inches apart, being careful not to plant too deeply. The
crown should never be covered with soil or the plant will rot and die.
Ajuga is propagated by division, which can be done in fall or spring. The
runners are easily removed from the mother plant when they are young. Removal
of these offsets will become more difficult as they age, because they will
become entangled in the main plant. It is a good idea to remove these runners
periodically anyway, even if they are to be discarded. This will help to keep
the plant contained.
Pruning is done by either mowing or cutting the foliage back to the ground.
About every third year, large, crowded groupings should be thinned out to
reduce the chance of crown rot.
As non variegated foliage appears on variegated forms of Ajuga, it should
be removed. This will prevent the plant from reverting back to it's original
green form.
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