How do you trim Ajuga? Cut the ajuga back to 1 to 2 inches above soil level after the flowers finish blooming. Use pruning shears to cut the spikes by hand, or mow over the patch with a lawn mower.
How do you care for Ajuga plants?
Since ajuga plants are known for their quick growth and mat-forming traits, use only a few plants in strategic locations and stay on top of edging around your garden or other landscaping to keep these plants under control and within bounds. Ajugas should be thinned every three years or so to prevent overcrowding. 2.
How do I get rid of Ajuga rootballs?
To remove your Ajuga plant from the container it was growing in, squeeze the container with your hands to loosen the rootball and then try to very gently lift and remove it from its container. Be careful not to damage your plant when removing it from its container! If the rootball is stuck in the container use some snips to cut the container away.
What is Ajuga plant propagation?
The vigorous plant grows in a carpet of shiny foliage and massed flowers, swiftly forming dense mats that require little maintenance. Ajuga plant propagation is so easy that the plants easily become invasive, rambling across the lawn and into places in the garden reserved for other plants. Read on for information about propagating ajuga plants.
Do you Deadhead Ajuga plants?
Ajuga is a very low maintenance plant. Because of its small stature, it doesn't need to be cut it back each spring or any deadheading. In mild climates, ajuga can be semi-evergreen. So if you have a mild winter, the foliage from last fall may still look good in the spring!
How do you prune ajuga?
Pruning your Ajugas is easy. You can do it by simply mowing or cutting the foliage back to the ground. It is also recommended to thin out the larger, crowded groupings every two to three years. This will reduce the risk of the crown rot.
How do you control an ajuga ground cover?
Use a weeding fork to dig deep under the roots for more thorough ajuga weed control. Take your time and remove as many roots as possible because even small pieces that remain in the soil can take root and spread. Keep a careful watch on the area and pull new plants as soon as they appear.
Do you cut back ajuga after flowering?
Cut the ajuga back to 1 to 2 inches above soil level after the flowers finish blooming. Use pruning shears to cut the spikes by hand, or mow over the patch with a lawn mower.
How do you deadhead ajuga?
0:194:47How to Deadhead Ajuga Easily Video Tutorial ✂️ Growing Home ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if i want to i can separate it and that is its own plant. And i can if i dug it up correctlyMoreAnd if i want to i can separate it and that is its own plant. And i can if i dug it up correctly with a shovel. I can pull out the roots.
How do you stop ajuga from spreading?
Cover large areas of ajuga to be removed with impermeable black plastic sheeting (weed mulch or heavy garbage bags). Anchor it with rocks, and leave the area alone for at least four weeks. This removes both light and water, drastically inhibiting growth.
Does ajuga choke other plants?
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial ground cover (the species name reptans means creeping) that does a good job of choking out weeds.
Should ajuga be cut back?
Ajugas are low-maintenance plants that have good resistance to rabbits and deer. They don't require pruning, but if you want to make them look a bit neater after the blooms are finished, mow over them with your mower on a high setting.
Do you cut back ajuga in the fall?
Ajuga is a very low-maintenance plant. Because of its small stature, it doesn't need to be cut back each spring and the flowers don't need any deadheading. In mild climates, ajuga can be semi-evergreen. If you have a mild winter, the foliage from last fall may still look good in the spring.
How do you winterize ajuga?
In the winter, mulch around the root zone of ajuga to protect it from cold snaps, which are more severely felt in unsheltered containers. Pull away the mulch in late winter to early spring so new foliage and rosettes can easily grow. Ajuga is an uncomplicated plant with many uses and years of resilient beauty.
Should I mulch around ajuga?
Avoid over mulching this plant as the roots are quite close to the soil and surplus mulch can contribute to issues of rot. We don't mulch on or around our bugleweed. Once established, this perennial is drought tolerant and will continue to spread which is the intent of any good groundcover!
Does ajuga bloom all summer?
This low-maintenance perennial is grown for its colorful foliage and groundcover habit. In the spring, it produces profuse blue flower spikes about 6" tall and it may sporadically bloom again throughout summer and into fall.
Why is my ajuga dying?
Sudden wilting, yellowing and death of ajuga, also known as bugleweed, means crown rot may have invaded the planting. This fungal disease is most common in warm wet or humid weather. It first appears as sudden wilting and dieback in colder climates and yellowing and death of plants in warmer areas.
Is ajuga an invasive species?
Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and for 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species.
Does ajuga need to be deadheaded?
Ajuga is a very low-maintenance plant. Because of its small stature, it doesn't need to be cut back each spring and the flowers don't need any deadheading.
Does ajuga dieback in the winter?
This fungal disease is most common in warm wet or humid weather. It first appears as sudden wilting and dieback in colder climates and yellowing and death of plants in warmer areas.
Is ajuga poisonous to dogs?
Full Shade Plants Partridge berry, running box, twinberry or twinflower (Mitchella repens) and carpet or common bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) are dog-safe creeping evergreen plants for shady gardens.
How to remove an ajuga plant from a container?
To remove your Ajuga plant from the container it was growing in, squeeze the container with your hands to loosen the rootball and then try to very gently lift and remove it from its container. Be careful not to damage your plant when removing it from its container! If the rootball is stuck in the container use some snips to cut the container away. After having removed the plant from the container, use your finger tips to gently loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the rootball.
How to plant ajuga in a pot?
(Scroll down for advice on planting Ajuga in containers and pots) Step 1. If you are not tilling the soil in the entire planting area, start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and no deeper than the rootball. The wider the hole the better.
How to get rid of a rootball in a container?
If the rootball is stuck in the container use some snips to cut the container away. After having removed the plant from the container, use your finger tips to gently loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the rootball. Step 3. Pour a small amount of your soil mixture in the bottom of the container.
How to set a plant in a hole?
Set your plant in the planting hole so that the top edge of the rootball is at or slightly above ground level.
What is the pH of ajuga?
Ajuga plants grow best in an acid to slightly acid soil ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, or whether or not it's suitable for growing Ajuga, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.
What kind of soil do ajugas like?
Soil. Ajuga tolerates and grows well in a wide variety of soils, except for constantly soggy or wet soils, which are a killer.
How to raise pH in ajuga?
You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.
How to propagate bugleweed?
Bugleweed is one of the easiest plants to propagate by division. It spreads by underground runners that form clumps surrounding the parent plant. At the point where these clumps begin to get crowded, you can dig them up and transplant them. This is best done in spring or fall when there is no chance of frost. Here are the easy steps to propagate bugleweed:
How does bugleweed work?
It looks especially attractive within rock formations. Bugleweed is also used as erosion control in many areas because its extensive root system can prevent soil loss. It forms a dense mat that will displace weeds.
How to get rid of ajuga?
Watering the area the day before will make ajuga easier to pull, as will loosening the soil around the plants with a spade or garden fork. Use a weeding fork to dig deep under the roots for more thorough ajuga weed control.
How to smother ajuga?
Black plastic – If the ajuga isn’t in your lawn, you may be able to smother large patches with black plastic . Secure the plastic with bricks or rocks and leave it alone for two weeks so the sun can “bake” the ajuga. If the plants are still alive, leave the plastic in place for an additional two weeks. Chemical herbicides – If all else fails, ajuga ...
What to use to kill ajuga weeds?
Chemical herbicides – If all else fails, ajuga weed control may require a chemical herbicide. If the ajuga is in your lawn, read the label carefully and be sure to use a non-selective herbicide that will kill the ajuga without harming your lawn.
What color are Ajuga reptans?
The plant is covered with springtime blooms of blue, purple, violet, white or pink, depending on the variety. Although most varieties are relatively well-behaved, Ajuga reptans is a rambunctious cultivar that spreads by long runners.
How to keep ajugas from rotting?
Caution should be used to avoid planting ajugas too deeply or covering the crown with soil to prevent the crown from rotting. After planting, immediately mulch your ajuga with a layer of shredded bark to keep weeds from smothering these young plants. The space between the plants should fill in within a year or two.
How to divide ajuga runners?
This can be done by digging out the clumps and either pulling them apart or cutting them into smaller sections to be replanted elsewhere.
How tall does an ajuga grow?
As evergreen, herbaceous perennials, ajuga can easily grow out of control without the proper care despite typically only growing about 4–8 inches tall.
What is the genus of ajuga?
The plant genus ajuga ( Ajuga reptans ) encompasses plants also commonly referred to as carpetweed, bugleweed, bugle, blue bugle, bugleherb, carpet bugle, carpet bugleweed, and common bugle. These species are also members of the mint family Lamiaceae and are vigorous growers that can quickly fill a large area.
What color are ajugas?
Ajugas are easy-growing, ground-cover plants with leaves that can be green, purple, bronze, or black, and flowers that are blue to purple.
Can runners be cut?
Runners can be cut and replanted elsewhere. If you’re propagating them from seeds, sow the seeds in containers during fall or spring, covering them with a thin layer of compost and keeping the soil moist. These seeds should germinate in a month or less. During the summer, you can move your young plants to your garden.
Do ajugas need water?
Soil and water: Soil should be moist, though ajuga plants are adaptable and can even be drought-tolerant. These plants are able to sustain themselves on normal rainfall, though watering may be necessary for times where it is particularly dry or if your plant is located somewhere with full sun exposure.
How to propagate ajuga?
One way to start propagating ajuga plants is by planting seeds. If you decide to do this, sow ajuga plant seeds in containers in fall or spring. Just cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost and keep the soil moist. The seeds germinate in a month or less. Prick out the individual plants and place in larger containers.
How do ajugas spread?
Ajuga spread by underground runners called stolons. These runners root the plant in nearby soil and form clumps. The ajuga clumps will eventually get crowded and begin to lose vigor. This is the time to lift and divide them in order to obtain additional ajuga plants.
What is ajuga plant?
Image by PicturePartners. Ajuga – also known as bugleweed – is a tough, low-growing ground cover. It offers bright, semi-evergreen foliage and showy flower spikes in amazing shades of blue. The vigorous plant grows in a carpet of shiny foliage and massed flowers, swiftly forming dense mats that require little maintenance.
What kind of soil do ajugas like?
Ajuga plants do best in moist, fertile soil. It’s a good idea to work in humus or other organic material to the soil before planting time.
Can ajugas be invasive?
Ajuga plant propagation is so easy that the plants easily become invasive, rambling across the lawn and into places in the garden reserved for other plants. Read on for information about propagating ajuga plants.
Can you cut out lawn sod?
You can also simply cut out big sections of plant mats – like lawn sod – and move them to a new location .
Is it easier to grow ajuga or get rid of it?
Growing ajuga is easier than getting rid of it, so take its rapid growth into account before you decide on ajuga plant propagation. You’ll first want to prepare a garden space to plant your new ajuga.
How does Ajuga spread?
Each growing point of the plant is actually a little rosette of foliage. Ajuga spreads steadily by sending out plenty of wandering stolons. Stolons are essentially horizontal roots that grow outward from the plant. At each node on this stolon, the plant also sends down roots and forms another crown of leaves—so as they grow, they create little colonies of plants. This also makes sharing super easy: simply dig up a few of these rooted sections and pass them along.
What kind of soil does an ajuga plant like?
Ajuga does best in well-drained, moist soil but handles drought and dry soils well. Some of the miniature varieties make great additions to trough gardens and containers. The biggest concern is to make sure the plant doesn't get too wet because crown rot is a common problem.
What is the color of ajuga?
Ajuga. With a wide variety of foliage colors usually in the rich deep burgundy realm, and sometimes cream and pink edges, ajuga makes a beautiful groundcover. The foliage is generally crinkled and very glossy as well.
Can sitting ajugas be grown in full sun?
So if you have a mild winter, the foliage from last fall may still look good in the spring! Siting ajuga can be variety specific, especially depending on the foliage color, but in general it can handle anything from full sun to complete shade.
Do ajugas need to be cut back?
Ajuga is a very low maintenance plant. Because of its small stature, it doesn't need to be cut back each spring and the flowers don't need any deadheading. In mild climates, ajuga can be semi-evergreen. So if you have a mild winter, the foliage from last fall may still look good in the spring!
Does ajuga need sun?
Overall color of the fancy foliage is at its best in at least a half day of sun. Ajuga does best in well-drained, moist soil but handles drought and dry soils well.
What to do if Ajuga leaves are not variegated?
If non variegated foliage appears on variegated forms of Ajuga, it should be removed. This will prevent the plant from reverting back to it's original green form.
How to propagate ajuga?
Ajuga can be propagated by digging and dividing established clumps in the fall or early in the spring. Runners are easily removed from the mother plant when they are young. Removal of these offsets will become more difficult as they age, because they will become entangled in the main plant.
What is the best soil for ajuga?
The foliage will tend to be smaller when grown in full sun, but the plant will produce more flower spikes. Ajuga prefers moist soil, but will tolerate drought remarkably well.
How tall do ajugas grow?
Generally, most types of Ajuga only reach a height of 6-9 inches when in full bloom. Ajuga grows along the ground, spreading by runners, and soon creates a thick carpet of foliage. Ajuga is excellent plant to use for erosion control due to it's extensive root system!
When do ajugas bloom?
Ajuga plants are evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on the species and variety. They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. Ajugas begin blooming in early spring and continue up until mid July. with the peak blossom period in May and June. Generally, most types of Ajuga only reach a height of 6-9 inches when in full bloom.
Is Ajugas a mint?
Ajugas are members of the mint family, and like most mints, their rapid growth rate may create problems. If this invasive attribute of Ajuga is a problem, it may be necessary to use some type of edging material to keep it within bounds. Ajuga tolerates a wide range of soil conditions as long as soil is well drained.
Do ajugas like moist soil?
Ajuga prefers moist soil, but will tolerate drought remarkably well.
What is the longest cutting to grow an ajuga?
Root cuttings take the longest to create a viable ajuga plant, I however find this method really cool.
How far do ajuga reptans go off the ground?
Ajuga reptans is a ground covering ajuga. The foliage itself will only reach 2-3 inches off the ground. The flower spikes will poke up about 6-9 inches off the ground.
When do Ajuga reptans produce flowers?
Ajuga reptans -Purpurea is a very easy to grow ground cover. It has glossy purple leaves. Produces spikes of purple flowers in late spring into summer.
How to take cuttings from a plant?
To take the cuttings you just snip of pieces of the plant that are the crown parts (photos below). The cutting is basically a small individual plant without roots.
How to get rid of a clump of plants in a pot?
Firstly dig up an existing clump or remove from a pot. Shake as much soil off the roots as possible. Seperate individual plants (Most will come apart with some gentle manipulation, others might need to be cut apart) These individual plants can be potted directly into the garden or into pots.
Can ajuga grow under trees?
As I mentioned we like to grow Ajuga under trees as a living mulch, so within this area we allow it to take over. We’ve not had any issues with it spreading into unwanted areas of the garden.
Can you leave ajuga plants in pots?
The individual plants will need to be separated and potted into individual pots while they are still quite small. If you leave them for too long the stronger plants will smoother the weaker ones. After you’ve potted the Ajuga’s place them into a sheltered area just until they get a little more established.
