Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch'

RHS Plant Profile
bugle 'Purple Torch'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
bugle 'Purple Torch' RHS

Synonyms

Ajuga 'Little Court Pink'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
4 Suppliers

Dense, spreading, mat-forming, evergreen perennial, to 20cm tall, with spoon-shaped, glossy and wrinkled dark green leaves that turn a purple-bronze colour in winter. Spikes of soft lavender-pink flowers are borne above the foliage in late spring and early summer

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Ajuga are mostly spreading, rhizomatous perennials with attractive evergreen foliage, rarely annuals, with whorled two-lipped flowers forming short spikes
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

The ideal plant for growing under trees in moist conditions. A partly-shaded position with some sun is needed to bring out the purple leaf colour. Although it will grow in shade, foliage will be greener

Propagation

Propagate by division; remove rooted plantlets in spring or early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Powdery mildews can be a problem