Ajuga Ground Cover - How To Grow And Care For Ajuga Plants

The soil should be acidic with a pH in the range of 3.7 to 6.5. Bugleweed can be grown in any type of light from full sun to full shade. The foliage 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.

How quickly does Ajuga spread?

Ajuga Species

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.

Does Ajuga dieback in the winter?

Cycles of snowing and melting are common. I planted quite a lot of Ajuga Reptans (mostly Bronze Beauty) last year and more this year. Last winter most were not covered. Most plants experienced some die back.

How do you control an Ajuga ground cover?

Homemade herbicide – Another option for getting rid of bugleweed is to create a homemade, environmentally friendly herbicide by mixing equal parts very hot water and vinegar. Stir in a small amount of salt and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Apply the solution with a spray bottle or a garden sprayer.

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.

Is Ajuga toxic to dogs?

Ajuga repens and frog fruit are non-toxic.

Can Ajuga take full sun?

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.

How do you take care of Ajuga plant?

The soil should be acidic with a pH in the range of 3.7 to 6.5. Bugleweed can be grown in any type of light from full sun to full shade. The foliage 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.

Is Ajuga fast growing?

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), also called common bugleweed, is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial ground cover (the species name reptans means "creeping").

What is the fastest growing ground cover plant?

16 Options for Fast Growing Ground Cover Plants

Wild Thyme(Thymus serpyllum) ...
Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) ...
Trailing Periwinkle(Vinca minor) ...
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) ...
Variegated Snow on the Mountain(Aegopodium podagraria) ...
Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea) ...
Firecracker Sedum (Sedum) ...
Dragon's Blood Sedum (Sedum)

What is the best low maintenance ground cover?

The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden

Heuchera. 1/11. An evergreen perennial, heuchera is known for its vibrant foliage, which ranges in color from silver to green to brown. ...
Honeysuckle. 2/11. ...
Brass Buttons. 3/11. ...
Creeping Phlox. 4/11. ...
Creeping Jenny. 5/11. ...
Stonecrop. 6/11. ...
Vinca Minor. 7/11. ...
Lamium. 8/11.

Why is my Ajuga dying?

ANSWER: This is crown rot, a common problem of ajuga in Louisiana. The fungus attacks very suddenly, causing plants to collapse, wilt and die. Gardeners sometimes use the term "melting out" to describe this condition. This disease, caused by Sclerotium delphinii, is the reason we use ajuga only in limited areas.

Is chocolate chip Ajuga invasive?

The foliage for the Ajuga Reptans Chocolate Chip is a dark green with shades of dark chocolate. A member of the Mint family, it is commonly referred to as Bugleweed and Carpet Bugle. It is widely used in landscaping for groundcover. This invasive perennial spreads by runners and fills in areas very quickly.

How do you split Ajuga?

Propagation of ajuga by division is an operation for early spring or fall. It's a simple process. All you have to do is dig out the clumps and pull or cut them apart into smaller sections, then replant them in another location.

How do you care for Burgundy Glow Ajuga?

Ajuga grows best in partial to full shade but will also grow in full sun if constant moisture is provided. It will tolerate any soil, even poor ones, as long as it is well-drained. Good air circulation is essential to avoid crown rot. Propagate by division any time during the growing season.

Can you walk on Ajuga?

Ajuga. ... Also known as bugleweed, this easy-care walkable groundcover plant is prized for its ability to slowly and steadily carpet your yard with its colorful foliage.

Is Honeysuckle poisonous to dogs?

All parts of the honeysuckle, including the vine, flower, and berry, are poisonous to dogs, who can not properly digest the plant's toxic properties, consisting of cyanogenic glycosides and carotenoids.

Is Spider plant toxic to cats?

Also known as ribbon plant or airplane plant, the spider plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs and will tolerate a wide range of light, moisture, and soil conditions.

Is creeping phlox poisonous to dogs?

Plant phlox in your garden without worrying about Fido's or Fluffy's safety. Phlox, a flowering plant in the Polemoniaceae family, is not dangerous to dogs or cats. This evergreen perennial isn't toxic, so even if your pet nibbles on the leaves or flowers, no harm should ensue.

Is Ajuga an evergreen?

Ajuga reptans is a common plant related to the wild bugle, but selected for leaf colour and flower spikes. The foliage is robust, evergreen and dark green, making a good background to the upright spikes of dark blue flowers, produced throughout late spring to mid summer.

Is Ajuga deer resistant?

Ajuga is a great groundcover for creating color in moist shade. Ajuga, also known as "Carpet Bugleweed," is a small, spreading evergreen plant that many gardeners love. ... Best of all, Ajuga is deer resistant and low-maintenance, and can even be used for erosion control.

Where do Ajuga reptans grow?

Ajuga reptans

Position: full sun or partial shade.
Soil: any moist, well-drained soil.
Rate of growth: fast-growing.
Flowering period: May to June.
Hardiness: fully hardy. ...
Garden care: Sow thinly in a lidded propagator, just covering the seed with a sprinkling of compost before placing in a greenhouse or conservatory.