Ajuga genevensis

RHS Plant Profile
alpine bugle

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Other common names

blue bugle, erect bugle, upright bugle

Synonyms

Ajuga rugosa
Ajuga alpina

Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming edging plant without the tendency to spread as other bugleweeds, this evergreen perennial forms an upright clump of 10cm long, rounded, soft, sage-green leaves with white hairs that give them a silvery effect. Short spikes of deep blue flowers appear in Spring and last into Summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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
Clump forming
Genus
Ajuga are mostly spreading, rhizomatous perennials with attractive evergreen foliage, rarely annuals, with whorled two-lipped flowers forming short spikes
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist but well drained soil in part sun to full shade. Will tolerate almost any soil as long it is moist and rich in humus. Will scorch in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in late Autumn or early Spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Ground cover
  • Garden edging
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews