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Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ (Carpet Bugle)

Bugle 'Catlin's Giant', Carpet Bugle 'Catlin's Giant', Ajuga reptans 'Macrophylla', Ajuga 'Catlins Giant', Bugleweed 'Catlin's Giant', Carpetweed 'Catlin's Giant'

AGM Award
Ajuga Reptans 'Catlin's Giant', Bugle 'Catlin's Giant', Carpet Bugle 'Catlin's Giant', Ajuga reptans 'Macrophylla', Ajuga 'Catlins Giant', Bugleweed 'Catlin's Giant', Carpetweed 'Catlin's Giant'

Award-winning Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ (Carpet Bugle) is an evergreen perennial prized for its large, glossy purplish-bronze leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), which quickly form a dense mat of attractive rosettes. Rising from the center of the rosettes are whorls of tiny blue-violet flowers arranged on spikes, 12 in. tall (30 cm), which create a striking display when in full bloom, from mid to late spring. Ajuga reptans is valued as a wonderful spreader making a colorful groundcover, which will thrive in shady areas where grass has difficulty growing.

  • Gardeners treasure the showy foliage of Ajuga reptans and its carpet habit more than its flowers. Ground-hugging, this perennial plant grows up to 6-12 inches tall (15-30 cm) and 10-14 in. wide (25-30 cm) and remains attractive most of the year.
  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it thrives in average, medium, 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 and deer resistant!
  • A remarkably low-maintenance plant, this excellent performer is highly versatile and can be used in many situations: groundcovers, on banks or slopes, under trees or shrubs. It is also great in containers!
  • Propagate by division, separating rooted stems.
  • Generally pest free. Watch for powdery mildews
  • May be mowed after flowering to eliminate the spent flower spikes and clean up the planting.
  • Ajuga reptans species is native to Europe. It is potentially invasive and may form dense evergreen mats that crowd out native vegetation.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Ajuga
Common names Ajuga, Bugle
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late),
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm)
Spacing 15" - 20" (40cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ajuga Feathered Friends™ ‘Cordial Canary’ (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga Feathered Friends™ ‘Tropical Toucan’ (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga Feathered Friends™ ‘Fancy Finch’ (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga Feathered Friends™ ‘Parrot Paradise’ (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga Feathered Friends™ ‘Petite Parakeet’ (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga tenorei Princess Nadia (Bugle)

Recommended Companion Plants

Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet)
Hosta ‘Wide Brim’ (Plantain Lily)
Primula japonica (Japanese Primrose)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)
Tiarella cordifolia (Foam Flower)
Pulmonaria ‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ (Lungwort)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Candelabra Primroses, Fern and Bugle
Softening Path Edges With Ajuga reptans
A Lush But Water-Wise Garden
30 Great Perennials for Shade
Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
Native Plant Alternatives to Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle)
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Ajuga
Common names Ajuga, Bugle
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late),
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 10" - 2' (25cm - 60cm)
Spacing 15" - 20" (40cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ajuga (Bugle)
Guides with
Ajuga (Bugle)
Not sure which Ajuga (Bugle) to pick?
Compare Now

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