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Carpetbugle - 'Ajuga reptans'

Ajuga reptans is a low growing semi-evergreen perennial groundcover that produces attractive 8-10" spikes bearing purple-blue flowers throughout April and May. Commonly used and referred to as a 'groundcover,' Ajuga reptans is slowly invasive and most often used to cover bare places of ground and is dense in its nature of growth. Ajuga can grow in shade to full sun which makes it ideal for filling large areas like banks and hillsides. Originally native to Europe, Ajuga has a habit of choking out competing plants and weeds. Ajuga reptans is excellent in preventing soil erosion. Ajuga also makes a great underplanting for a number of other plants and trees. Do not use it as an edging for the lawn, as it will easily spread into the grass.

Common Name: Blue bugle, Bugleherb, Bugleweed, Carpetweed, Carpet Bungleweed, Common bugle, Burgundy lace, Ajuga, and Carpetbugle
Type: Perennial Groundcover
Family: Lamiaceae
Leaves: Leaves are dark green, light green, bronzed, purple, or variegated depending on cultivar. Leaves have purple highlights that grow 2-3" and radiate from the crowns and are obovate.
Stem: Upright, greenish, glabrous
Size: 3-6" in height with flower spikes approaching 8-10"
Hardiness: Zone 4-8. For an idea of your plant zone please visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Habit: Invasive when planted near lawns or other perennials. Ajuga reptans spreads by stolons.
Rate: Growth rate is slow
Flowers: Blue, purple, pink, or white flowers (depending upon cultivar) are borne on 4 to 6" long stalks in peak blossom between May and June. Flowering stalks are square with small opposite leaves.
Diseases & Insects: Aphids and crown rot
Known Varieties: Well-known Ajuga reptans varieties are listed below...
  • Ajuga reptans 'Bronze Beauty' - bright green-bronze foliage turns glossy deep purple in Autumn and Winter
Landscape Value: Ajuga reptans makes an excellent slowly invasive groundcover with attractive vertical spikes of flowers in late Spring, and semi-evergreen foliage for year-round interest. Does particular well in shaded areas and entranceways, forming a soft carpet of green leaves.
Soil Preference: Prefers moist, well-drained soils of average fertility in partial shade, with regular watering during the hot and dry periods of Summer. Mass planting may die out (due to crown rot) under prolonged wet conditions in poorly drained soils
Care: Weed-wack blooms down in late spring, early summer to promote a greener, more consistent groundcover carpet.
Fertilization: Fertilize yearly in early spring with fertilizers rich in phosphorous.

Planting Instructions: Start at the farthest away area and plant the 'groundcover' evenly and outwards (like painting yourself into a corner). Water well, and remember to water regularly until they have started to grow.

Interested in purchasing 'Ajuga reptans'?
This product may be shipped year round!

Boyd Nursery Company offers 'Ajuga Reptans' in several package types and sizes. For further information regarding planting procedure and technique, please visit www.boydsplants.com/care/planting.html. To calculate how many ajuga plants that you need figure the square footage and then use 1 plant per square foot. The plants are not in storage and are dug fresh on receipt of your order. When your order is received plants are collected as soon as the weather permits, this timeframe is normally within one week. Boyd Nursery monitors national weather conditions and temperatures for shipments. If at any time your order must be delayed for weather concerns, Boyd Nursery will advise you by phone or e-mail. Boyd Nursery ships via Priority Mail from zip-code 37111 and DOES NOT ship plants west of the Rocky Mountains.


Bareroot Ajuga reptans 'Bronze Beauty'
Retail orders include shipping.
Order Size
Price per Package
100 plants
$47.50
1000 plants
$360.00




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