Many gardening and nurasery sites on the internet list this plant as toxic. A remarkably low-maintenance plant, this excellent performer is highly versatile and can be used in many situations: Propagate by division, separating rooted stems. These perennials are super easy to grow and thrive in low-light conditions. I think it prefers sandier soil. Join now and start creating your dream garden! I just wanted to understand if that was going to do the trick. If your ajugas are planted in shade, try companion plants like coral bells, hostas, ferns, daffodils, astilbe, forget-me-not, violas, hardy geraniums and other woodland plants. You never mentioned in what countries/areas it is found? Your planting holes should be roughly eight to fifteen inches apart and you need to loosen the roots before planting in the ground. In mild climates, ajugas can be semi-evergreen. Bugleweed prefers moist soil, so while new plants are becoming established, give them one to two inches of water per week including rainfall. Does bugleweed have a scent? University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health and National Park Service. 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. Large-leaved cannas make a dramatic statement in any garden. This variety is hardy in zones 3 to 10. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Evergreen in most regions, it is perfect for planting between stepping stones, in wall crevices, or in rock gardens. One is in a bed bordered by the street and the driveway, so I don't have concerns for that. Ive also put Solomons Seal in places that have worked pretty well, but over this past winter the stands I had are about 2/3rds smaller than they were for some reason. Ideally, this should be done in the fall or early spring for best results. Have any other suggestions for how to use ajuga without it becoming a problem? If you dont have a plant to work with, you can also propagate your ajuga bugleweed by seed. This is a problem in humid areas or when the plant is growing in heavy soils. Attractive to butterflies but ignored by deer! The other is in the shade under a tree and only a few feet away from the lawn. Both my parents have since passed. This desirable and long-lasting summer border is fairly Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. They are all low maintenance. Southern Blight.Wisconsin Horticulture, https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/southern-blight/. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. I eventually found spots for them all and got them in. This oftentimes invasive perennial isnt just any ordinary weed. Accept Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' (Carpet Bugle) is a creeping perennial prized for its short spikes of fragrant, deep blue flowers and very glossy, near-black, scalloped leaves. While a dense mat will help suppress weeds, avoid planting near perennial beds or lawns where its spreading nature could pose removal problems. Some of the best low-growing bloomers include azalea, viburnum, spirea, hydrangea, and potentilla. The plant will thrive in both shady and sunny locations. And that does start to fill in in areas where I've started it. @ Ken - No offense taken. The only time I used true bugleweed I was using it to stabilize my heartbeat while recovering from excessive doses of tropane alkaloids, something not mentioned in the book. Please post pics (or list) what you decided to use. I asked her if it was good for anything, but she didnt know of any uses. You can also remove some runners, which will help keep this groundcover under control. Hardy in zones 3-9, partial shade, 2-3' tall, deer resistant . Remove spent flowers, shears or even mowing on a high setting can quickly take care of the old flowers. On the other hand in the article about southernwood it is briefly mentioned that it was once used to treat wounds, without further discussion. Understand satisfying total strangers curiosity is low on your priority list (#4,233)but with houses Im a voyeur and yours is a favorite.. thanks for the fun.. hope you are still enjoying it. In this shady border, 'Roseum' trillium and yellow lady's slipper are a feast for the eyes in April and May. May be mowed after flowering in order to get rid of the spent flower spikes and clean up the planting. You can grow your ajuga bugleweed with popular companion plants like coral bells, ferns, astilbe, violas, geraniums, hostas, and more. Grows up to 2-3 in. It has deep blue flowers and thick leaves. Add structure and beauty to your perennial plant combinations by including a generous selection of roses. Don't overlook native wildflowers when you plan your shade garden. Carpet Bugle (Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States). Theres even limited evidence suggesting that bugleweed can be used to help treat insomnia, breast pain, and nervousness. Noted for its extremely dwarf habit and chocolate foliage, Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip' (Carpet Bugle) is a ground-hugging perennial prized for its bluish-purple flower spikes on display in 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. Make your flower border more interesting by pairing beautiful plant combinations with different flower shapes. In this border, 'Jackmanii' clematis and 'Harvest Moon' coneflower are a feast for the eyes. But never think that moments spent walking round your garden are wasted time. It forms a dense mat that will displace weeds. You'll find plenty of companion woodland plants for bugleweed that grow well in partial or full shade. Evergreen in warm winter climates. Bacopa. Looks Here are six tips for caring for your ajuga plant: Black Scallop has super dark leaves, as you might expect from the name, while Dixie Chip is another variegated version that can be found in pink, white, and green. Annuals have a valuable place in any garden, and they can be particularly effective when mixed together in containers. This is particularly important when the temperatures go up. Wishing you & your family a Healthy & Happy New Year & a successful gardening season. Bugleweed has been reported as an invasive plant in Maryland, West Virginia, and Oregon. Low-growing plants like thyme, ajuga and alyssum can double. In this garden, a mass of red- and green-leaf cannas form a wall of color at the end of a long, winding perennial border. If it is not well drained the roots will rot. i would love to see what you decided to plant. tall (30 cm), which create a striking display when in full bloom, from mid to late spring. Not sure which Ajuga - Carpet Bugles to pick?Compare All Ajuga - Carpet Bugles, Buy Ajuga Feathered Friends 'Cordial Canary' (Carpet Bugle), Great Plant Combination Ideas with Ajuga - Carpet Bugles. If shade in your garden is created by several large trees and expanses of lawn, you might decide beds of bulbs and perennials are not to your liking. I like ajuga. In this bed, both these helpful bugs and people can enjoy a gorgeous mass of pink bee balm planted next to a bed of salvia that attracts insects from miles around. According to A Modern Herbal by Mrs. Grieve (available in searchable form at botanical.com ) they are quite different in medicinal action. It's been growing around my daylilies for 4 or 5 years now, it's never caused any problems here. Enjoying life, and everything that has to do with self sufficient living. This is because it interferes with hormone production. In addition, cut off the flower spikes in late summer after the flowers have faded. But now that Ive had years of trying to grow under all the trees around here, I havent filled in the borders as much as I want to, because expected success didnt alway materialize and Id be starting over again with some new idea. This will reduce the seeds so you dont have as many of these issues! Ajuga plants can grow in many different lighting conditions. Step 1: Choose Plants That Look Good with Your Roses This step requires a bit of imagination, but it's a great start to choosing companion plants. Shade plantings can be one of the jewels of your garden. Atropurpureum is one that has bronze or purple foliage, while Burgundy Glow is one of the best options if youre looking for that popular variegated look. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. A city girl learning to homestead on an acre of land in the country. Had I seen your question sooner, I would have agreed the most with the person who recommended the shorter, smaller, shade-loving plants (bleeding hearts, hostas, heucheras/coral bells, ajuga, vinca minor). Buy It: Quart Pot Coneflower ($10, Walmart), Buy It: Black-Eyed Susan Seeds ($9, Walmart). If the planting area becomes crowded, thin out the plants in the fall by digging up the entire clump and replanting half of the roots. ===>>> if that is true.. then whats the point of asking what to pair it with sounds like you ought to spread it around .. and go with the winner you already have else all you might be doing.. is adding to your list of failures im sorry.. that sounds a lot crankier than intended.. please dont take offense maybe a pic will help up brainstorm for you Cat, but no kids, nine bedrooms, how to use them? Native to Japan, its foliage forms attractive, loose cascading mounds of gracefully arching, slender leaves that ripple in the slightest breeze. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Only plants will be removed from the collection. If you choose to do this, it is best to grow them alongside some companion plants. Ajuga was an ancient medicinal and used as a wound coagulant, which led to it's lesser known common name, "carpenter's herb". Chocolate Chip has dark leaves, too. Bugleweed does well in full sun to part shade locations. Only plants will be removed from the collection. Evergreen in most regions, it is perfect for planting between stepping stones or in wall crevices. Its not really a weed per se. I didn't want to lose them. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. Instead, group your favorite perennials in large drifts or clumps that take your breath away when they all bloom at the same time. Ajuga bugleweed is shockingly easy to propagate. Even better, bulbs are an extra dimension that can be added to any part of the garden that you do not constantly cultivate. This Ajuga variety can grow about 3 to 6 inches in height and it can spread one to two feet across. In fact, it is more of a pest itself than it is a pest to other plants. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. 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