Ajuga reptans

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Other common names

brown bugle, carpenter's herb, middle compound, middle consound, yellow bugle, glesyn y coed

Synonyms

Ajuga repens

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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Spreading stoloniferous perennial to 15cm in height, forming a wide mat of dark green, spoon-shaped leaves, with erect spikes of dark blue flowers in late spring and early summer

Position

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 or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–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
Yes
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
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Iran, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil, best in full or partial shade but tolerant of part day sun if soil remains moist

Propagation

Propagate by division, separating rooted stems

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews