Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle)
Carpet Bugle, Bugleweed, Carpetweed, Common Bugle
Valued as a wonderful spreader making colorful groundcovers with its dense, attractive leaf rosettes, Carpet Bugle (Ajuga reptans) is a quick mat-forming grower which will thrive in shady areas where grass won't grow. Rising from the center of the rosettes are whorls of tiny blue-violet, purple, pink, or white flowers arranged on spikes which create a striking display when in full bloom, in mid-late spring or early summer.
- However, gardeners treasure more the showy foliage of Ajuga reptans and its carpet habit than its flowers. Ground-hugging, this evergreen perennial grows typically only 4-8 inches tall (10-20 cm) and remains attractive most of the year.
- A remarkably low-maintenance plant, this excellent performer is highly versatile and can be used in many situations: groundcover, on banks or slopes, under trees or shrubs. It is also great in containers!
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- A part shade to full shade lover, Ajuga thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils and tolerates almost any soils provided they are moist and humusy. Will tolerate full sun if constant moisture is provided
- Provide good air circulation to avoid crown root problems. This plant is rabbit or deer resistant!
- May be mowed after flowering in order to get rid of the spent flower spikes and clean up the planting.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 10
|
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9
|
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Ajuga - Carpet Bugles |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Height | 4" - 8" (10cm - 20cm) |
Spread | 6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Compare All Ajuga - Carpet Bugles Great Plant Combination
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*Pictures are courtesy of Christine Majul, Growing colors, / 123RF Stock Photo
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 10
|
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9
|
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Ajuga - Carpet Bugles |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Height | 4" - 8" (10cm - 20cm) |
Spread | 6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Landscaping Ideas | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Compare All Ajuga - Carpet Bugles Great Plant Combination
Ideas with Ajuga - Carpet Bugles Guides with Ajuga - Carpet Bugles