{"id":6253,"date":"2023-02-03T01:36:53","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T06:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=6253"},"modified":"2023-02-03T01:44:31","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T06:44:31","slug":"how-to-plant-and-grow-ajuga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/03\/how-to-plant-and-grow-ajuga\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plant and Grow Ajuga"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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With a wide variety of foliage colors, usually in the rich deep burgundy realm and sometimes with cream and pink edges, ajuga (Ajuga reptans<\/em>)\u00a0makes a beautiful groundcover<\/a>. The foliage is generally crinkled and very glossy as well. However, if you think this is just a foliage plant, you will get quite the surprise as spring eases into summer. Then, ajuga is covered in little spikes of bright blue, purple, pink or white blossoms.<\/p>

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Ajuga’s common names are carpetweed and bugleweed, so you’d be right in assuming that this plant is a vigorous grower. Each growing point on the plant is actually a little rosette of foliage. Ajuga spreads steadily by sending out plenty of wandering stolons, which are essentially horizontal roots growing outward from the plant. From each node on a stolon, the plant sends down roots and forms another crown of leaves\u2014so that as they grow, they create more colonies.<\/p>

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\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>

BHG \/ EVGENIYA VLASOVA<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga Overview<\/h3>
GENUS NAME<\/td>Ajuga<\/td><\/tr>
COMMON NAME<\/td>Ajuga<\/td><\/tr>
PLANT TYPE<\/td>Perennial<\/td><\/tr>
LIGHT<\/td>Shade, Sun<\/td><\/tr>
HEIGHT<\/td>1 to 6 inches<\/td><\/tr>
WIDTH<\/td>6 to 18 inches<\/td><\/tr>
FLOWER COLOR<\/td>Blue, Pink, Purple, White<\/td><\/tr>
FOLIAGE COLOR<\/td>Blue\/Green, Purple\/Burgundy<\/td><\/tr>
SEASON FEATURES<\/td>Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom<\/td><\/tr>
SPECIAL FEATURES<\/td>Low Maintenance<\/td><\/tr>
ZONES<\/td>10, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9<\/td><\/tr>
PROPAGATION<\/td>Division, Stem Cuttings<\/td><\/tr>
PROBLEM SOLVERS<\/td>Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Slope\/Erosion Control<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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Where to Plant Ajuga<\/span><\/h2>

Plant ajuga in\u00a0USDA Hardiness Zones 3\u201310<\/a>. Keep in mind that although ajuga is considered a groundcover, it doesn’t do well with foot traffic. The plant can handle small amounts of trampling but should not be used as a\u00a0replacement for turf<\/a>.<\/p>

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How and When to Plant Ajuga<\/span><\/h2>

Plant new ajuga plants 10 to 15 inches apart in early spring in rich, slightly acidic soil and in an area in full or partial shade. In mild climates, ajugas can be semi-evergreen. If you have a mild winter, the foliage from last fall may still look good in the spring.<\/p>

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Invasive Plant<\/h3>

Ajuga spreads quickly through horizontal stems that creep across the ground. It can become aggressive and difficult to keep in bounds in some areas of the country. If you don’t want ajuga plants to spread, plant them in outdoor containers or near hardscapes, such as walkways or driveways, not in a garden bed.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Ajuga Care Tips<\/span><\/h2>

Ajuga is a very low-maintenance plant. Because of its small stature, it doesn’t need to be cut back each spring, and the\u00a0flowers don’t need any deadheading<\/a>.<\/p>

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Light<\/span><\/h3>

Picking the right site for your ajuga can be variety specific, especially depending on the color of the foliage, Many prefer to grow in shade, but in general, it\u00a0can handle locations from sunny to shady<\/a>. The deep, shiny burgundy foliage varieties are a bit more dull and may take on some green in full shade, but they’ll still grow just fine. Overall, the color of the fancy foliage is at its best with a half day of sun.<\/p>

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Soil and Water<\/span><\/h3>

Ajuga does best in\u00a0well-drained, moist soil<\/a>, but it can handle drought and dry soil. Some of the miniature varieties make\u00a0great additions to trough gardens<\/a>\u00a0and containers. The biggest concern is that the plant doesn’t get too wet because crown rot is a common problem. To prevent this, make sure to site your plants accordingly.<\/p>

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Fertilizer<\/span><\/h3>

Ajuga plants are light feeders, and fertilization is not necessary. If you fertilize them at all, wait until late spring or early winter and\u00a0use a slow-release granular fertilizer<\/a>.<\/p>

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Pests and Problems<\/span><\/h2>

Crown rot can be a big problem for ajugas during warm, wet, or humid weather. It causes sudden wilting and yellowing of the ajuga, and the plants’ stems turn black and rot. If this happens, remove and destroy the plant and the soil around it immediately to prevent the spread of this fungal disease. Disinfect your tools with a mixture of one-part bleach to nine-parts water to prevent transmitting the disease to other plants.<\/p>

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Like many garden plants, ajuga can be\u00a0infested with aphids<\/a>. Spray these insects off with a strong stream of water.<\/p>

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How to Propagate Ajuga<\/span><\/h2>

Ajuga is most easily\u00a0propagated by division<\/a>. In early spring or fall, use a sharp shovel to cut a section of stolon that contains nodes from an existing plant. Replant it, and soon roots and leaves grow to form a new plant. If you don\u2019t have an existing plant to divide, sow seeds indoors\u00a0in early spring. As the plants grow, move them to increasingly larger containers. Wait until summer to move them outside to the garden.<\/p>

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Types of Ajuga<\/span><\/h2>

Bugleweed<\/span><\/h3>
\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>

BHG \/ EVGENIYA VLASOVA<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga reptans<\/em>\u00a0forms a low-growing mat 4 inches tall with flower spikes up to 9 inches tall. Many forms with variegated foliage are available. Zones 4-9.<\/p>

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Carpet Bugle<\/span><\/h3>
\"blue<\/div><\/div>
DENCY KANE<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga genevensis<\/i>\u00a0is a relatively uncommon form that works well as a showy groundcover in partial shade. Most forms have blue blooms, but white and pink types are also available. Zones 3-8<\/p>

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‘Black Scallop’ Ajuga<\/span><\/h3>
\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>
JUSTIN HANCOCK<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga reptans<\/i>\u00a0‘Black Scallop’ features shiny, dark purple leaves and springtime blue flowers. It’s striking in containers. Zones 3-9<\/p>

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‘Burgundy Glow’ Ajuga<\/span><\/h3>
\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>
RURAL AMERICAN GRAPHICS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga reptans<\/i>\u00a0‘Burgundy Glow’ features foliage that ranges from green to purplish maroon. In spring, blue flowers rise above the colorful foliage. Zones 3-9<\/p>

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‘Chocolate Chip’ Ajuga<\/span><\/h3>
\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>
BOB STEFKO<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga<\/em>\u00a0reptans<\/em>\u00a0‘Chocolate Chip’ is a miniature hybrid with narrow burgundy leaves and purple blooms in spring. Zones 4-9<\/p>

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‘Dixie Chip’ Ajuga<\/span><\/h3>
\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>
MARTY BALDWIN<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga reptans<\/i>\u00a0‘Dixie Chip’ is a variegated selection that offers foliage streaked with white, cream, and pink. It’s decorated with blue flowers in spring. Zones 3-9<\/p>

\u00a0<\/div>

‘Silver Beauty’ Ajuga<\/span><\/h3>
\"Ajuga<\/div><\/div>
MARTY BALDWIN<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ajuga reptans<\/i>\u00a0‘Silver Beauty’ is a quick-growing selection with silvery-green leaves edged in white. It bears small spikes of blue flowers in spring and grows 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide. Zones 3-9<\/p>

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Ajuga Companion Plants<\/span><\/h2>

Coralbells<\/span><\/h3>
\"Coralbells\"<\/div><\/div>

BHG \/ EVGENIYA VLASOVA<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Exciting new selections with incredible foliage patterns have put\u00a0coralbells<\/a>\u00a0on the map. Previously enjoyed mainly for their spires of dainty reddish flowers, coralbells are now grown as much for the unusual mottling and veining of their different colored leaves. The low clumps of long-stemmed evergreen or semi-evergreen lobed foliage make coralbells fine groundcover plants. They enjoy humus-rich, moisture-retaining soil. Beware of planting them in areas with very cold winters.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/div>

Fothergilla<\/span><\/h3>
\"Forthergilla\"<\/div><\/div>

BHG \/ EVGENIYA VLASOVA<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

A North American native,\u00a0fothergilla<\/a>\u00a0deserves a place in every shade garden for its honey-sweet, brushy blooms, fiery fall foliage, and open, airy habit. The tangled branch structure intrigues in winter landscapes. Easy to care for, fothergilla requires no pruning. The leathery leaves have lighter undersides and turn shades of red, orange, and bright yellow in fall.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/div>

Bleeding Heart<\/span><\/h3>
\"Bleeding<\/div><\/div>

BHG \/EVGENIYA VLASOVA<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

You’ll quickly realize the origin of\u00a0bleeding heart’s common name<\/a>\u00a0when you look at its heart-shaped pink or white blooms, each with a protruding tip at the base of the blossom. They grow best in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Some types bloom only in the spring, while others bloom in spring, summer, and fall, provided temperatures aren’t too high.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With a wide variety of foliage colors, usually in the rich deep burgundy realm and sometimes with cream and pink edges, ajuga (Ajuga reptans) makes a beautiful groundcover. The foliage is generally crinkled and very glossy as well. However, if you think this is just a foliage plant, you will get quite the surprise as spring eases into summer. Then, ajuga is covered in little spikes of bright blue, purple, pink or white blossoms. Ajuga’s common names are carpetweed and bugleweed, so you’d be right in assuming that this plant is a vigorous grower. Each growing point on the plant is actually a little rosette of foliage. Ajuga spreads steadily by sending out plenty of wandering stolons, which are essentially horizontal roots growing outward from the plant. From each node on a stolon, the plant sends down roots and forms another crown of leaves\u2014so that as they grow, they create more…<\/p>\n

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