Also known as carpetweed or bugleweed, Ajuga reptans is a perennial that is typically hardy in zones 3 to 9. These evergreen plants form dense mats of glossy leaves. They can take sun to partial shade, although the foliage develops its best color in full sun.
What is the best low maintenance ground cover?
- Checkerberry/American Wintergreen.
- Mondo grass.
- Alchemilla Mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
- Creeping thyme.
- Sedum spurium ‘Dragons Blood’
- Bergenia.
- Heather.
Is Bugleweed the same as Ajuga?
When you’re looking for something attractive to quickly fill in a large area, then you can’t go wrong with ajuga (Ajuga reptans), also known as carpet bugleweed. This creeping evergreen plant quickly fills in empty areas, smothering out weeds while adding exceptional foliage color and blooms.
Where does Bugleweed grow best?
Light. Bugleweed does well in full sun to part shade locations. Foliage color is most vibrant when the plant receives at least three to four hours of sunlight daily.
Do you cut back Ajuga?
Cut the ajuga back to 1 to 2 inches above soil level after the flowers finish blooming. Use pruning shears to cut the spikes by hand, or mow over the patch with a lawn mower.
What is the purple ground cover called?
The common periwinkle (Vinca minor, zones 4-8), which produces lavender-colored flowers, is a great option for ground cover for shady areas, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. However, it is considered an invasive species in some places in the United States.
Does Ajuga come back every year?
When you’re ready to replant, try a different kind of groundcover, to decrease the chance that the problem will return. Occasionally patches of ajuga will die. If this happens, remove the dead foliage, but let the roots stay in the ground. The plants will often come back in the following year.
Does Ajuga dieback in the winter?
This fungal disease is most common in warm wet or humid weather. It first appears as sudden wilting and dieback in colder climates and yellowing and death of plants in warmer areas. The stems of infected plants turn brown or black and rot.
How quickly does Ajuga spread?
Ajuga Species
Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans): This is a very popular ground cover. It spreads quickly by runners, making a mat of dark green leaves that grow 2 to 3 inches wide in full sun and 3 to 4 inches wide in part shade. Selections with bronze- or metallic-tinted leaves keep color best in full sun.
Can Ajuga be mowed?
Pruning your Ajugas is easy. You can do it by simply mowing or cutting the foliage back to the ground. It is also recommended to thin out the larger, crowded groupings every two to three years.
Is bugleweed invasive?
But other potentially invasive plants are readily available. English ivy (Hedera helix), bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), and periwinkle (Vinca minor) are all non-native plants that were introduced to the U.S. as ornamentals.
Is bugleweed poisonous to dogs?
Partridge berry, running box, twinberry or twinflower (Mitchella repens) and carpet or common bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) are dog-safe creeping evergreen plants for shady gardens.
References:
- https://www.gardeningetc.com/us/advice/best-low-maintenance-ground-cover-plants
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ajuga/ajuga-bugleweed.htm
- https://www.thespruce.com/ajuga-or-bugleweed-plants-2132213
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-ajuga-65795.html
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/purple-ground-cover-plants-67488.html
- https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/groundcover-and-vines/all-about-ajuga
- https://www.melindamyers.com/audio-video/melindas-garden-moment-audio-tips/problems-pests-weeds/crown-rot-causing-sudden-wilting-and-death-on-ajuga-bugleweed
- https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/ajuga/
- https://www.sundaygardener.net/ajuga-plant-care/
- https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/invasive-plants/7373.html
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/creeper-plants-safe-dogs-83378.html