Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

An excellent ground cover plant for shady areas. Its perfect under deciduous trees and other shade areas where little will grow. Will form dense mats of mostly evergreen foliage, although it will die back in cold areas (zone 4). Its one of the rare plants that will grow under a Black Walnut or Norway Maples making it extremely useful. In late spring it sends up lovely spikes of blue flowers which can transform whole areas and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Encouraging its spread will reduce your labor time as it will form dense mats that will stop any weeds from growing. Once established it takes little or no care it can either be left alone or after flowering it can be mown down to remove flower heads. Job done, nothing else to do until next year. It can even alleviate raking as the leaves can be left as a mulch vanishing under the leaves to feed the plants and the tree. Add to that deer and rabbits don't eat it. Beautiful flowers, little work, less mowing grows in a shade area. What more could you want.

Low growing ground cover that is very hardy. Can tolerate to USDA zone 4 but also will grow in hot areas such as Texas and Arizona provided it is in a shaded area. Quite drought tolerant. Grows to about 6 inches (15.2 cm) in height forming wide rosettes of leaves that are mid to dark green but can be lighter or show a purple tinge depending on its environment. Each leaf is mostly oval in shape with a blunt end, wavy edges and a very short stalk. For the most part the leaves form in a rosette up to 6 inches (15.2 cm) across but after flowering the plant will put out creeping stolons, long 'runners' with pairs of leaves at intervals along the stem. Rootlets emerge from leaf pairs and help to increase the spread of the plant. For them most part all leaves and stolons are very close to the ground and not really noticeable in mixed vegetation. In mid to late spring the one flower stalk will rise from the center of each leaf rosette. This square stem can rise to about 10 inches (25 cm) in height with small opposite leaves from each arise a flower cluster only of few of which open at the same time. Some flowers will bloom at all levels of the flower stalk at the same time making it fairly showy especially when growing in a large patch. Flowers are most commonly blue although sometimes white and in the form of a tubular corolla which flare out into two upper and one much larger lower lobes. Flowers are followed by small brown seed pods. The whole plant is very low to the ground and forms dense mats which can beat out the weeds. Will remain evergreen to zones 6b or more but may die back in cold zones.

Some cold is beneficial in aiding germination of Bugle. This can be as simple as keeping the seeds in the refrigerator before sowing. Moist stratification can be used but does not appear to enhance the germination rates much. Place seed in your refrigerator as soon as you receive it and keep it there until its time to seed. All our seed is kept under refrigeration to help enhance germination. In warmers areas while seeds may germinate without cold its best to start them inside and stratify to ensure success.

If sowing directly sow in fall or early winter. Clear area where plants are to germinate use a leaf rake to clear the surface and rake the soil finely. Sprinkle seeds widely over the area then walk the area to press the seeds into the soil. Do not cover seeds. Water lightly and leave. Seeds should germinate in the spring after natural stratification.

See our stratification instructions to choose which method you consider best for your needs and situation. If receiving seeds in spring use refrigerator method or store seeds in your refrigerator until fall.

Sow seeds in trays or small cell trays. Do not cover seed as they need light to germinate. For more information on seeding see our general growing instructions. Transplant seedling to their own pots and grow on until plants have produced a small rosette of leaves before transplanting out. Set out about 6-12" (15-30 cm) apart more if plants are growing well as stolons will form and increase plant size and distribution..

Where you plant your Bugleweed is going to depend on your location.
In zones 6a and colder. The plant can tolerate some sunshine more and more as the zone number decreases and at zone 4 full sun. As the heat and ferocity of the suns rays increase the plant will need more sunshine. In zone 7 it can tolerate a little sun but prefers to live in the full shade of deciduous trees.
Zones 7b and warmer. Shade is needed and essential if in Texas, Arizona, southern California and similar places. Will not tolerate sun in these hotter areas with strong sunshine, under the shade of trees it can usually grow very effectively as a evergreen perennial.

Soil types and water. Its not really fussy, while its ideal soil is a humus soil with lots of organic material that is fairly moist it will grow in almost any soil type. However on dry soils it will need some additional water to flourish. While it is fairly drought tolerant in long periods of no water is will shrivel up and go dormant.

The best location for Bugle is beneath deciduous trees where it will spread out to form a dense mostly evergreen carpet that is pretty drought tolerant. Its very easy to maintain. After initial planting ensure it has regular water for the first year to allow it to establish then leave it alone. It takes no other care. Enjoy the flowers then once flowering had finished set the mower blade on high and mow it down. That's it for the year. In most cases leaf raking is unnecessary as it will settle around the plants which will then use the leaves as mulch and food. So your work is a lot less.

Do not plant under coniferous trees it cannot tolerate the acid from the needles.

Plant under Walnut trees! Bugle is one of the rare plants that is not affected by the chemicals put out by walnuts to prevent plants growing under them. Bugle makes a great ground cover under walnuts.

Bugle will tolerate modest foot traffic so it can be walked on but don't try and use it as a pathway. Will spread using the stolons which is great if you want a ground cover but if you don't then ensure you cut them back each year. When stolons are young they are easy to remove after the stolons have rooted and formed new plants they are not so easy to remove.

Small newly planted seedlings are susceptible to slugs who like the young leaves.
Will die back and go dormant under drought conditions
Cannot tolerate wet soil or prolonged flooding. The crowns will rot and the plants will die.
It's a spreading ground cover, may need to be contained once it spreads. Do not plant in a border or other area where you don't want it to spread.

Whole above ground part is used medicinally harvest when in full bloom.

None known

The whole plant is aromatic astringent and bitter. It has a long history of use in herbalism. It is taken internally to help with the treatment of consumption and the treatment of coughs throat irritations and especially in the treatment of mouth ulcers and 'ulcers and sores as happen in the secret parts of men and women' (Culpepper 1652) . Culpepper also claims it can be used to aid those who have drunk to much, or suffering from alcoholism. Other sources claim it contains substances similar to digitalis so it used as a heart tonic.

Bugle, Common Bugelweed, Bugleweed, Carpet Bugleweed, Carpetweed, Carpet Bugle, Bugal, Bugalweed.