Ajuga or Ajuga reptans is a flowering plant that is in the mint family. Reptans in its species name means creeping. Ajuga are also known as Bugleweed. Most varieties of the ajuga are perennial but there are others that are annual. This plant is native to Africa, Australia, and Europe and is typically used as ground cover because of its fast growth and hardiness.
Ajuga is a creeping plant that usually blooms in spring. The flower may reach twelve inches depending on the variety. Flowers of this plant vary in shades of blue. The plant may grow for six inches or more and can spread from twelve to eighteen inches. Its leaves vary grows from three to four inches. The leaf color depends on the cultivar. It may be bronze, green or multicolored.
Ajuga prefers light shade that has indirect sunlight. They tend to be smaller, undersized and unhealthy under direct summer sun. It grows in average soil. Always remember to keep the soil moist. It can be walked on two to three times but cannot handle regular foot traffic.
Ajuga is used as a ground cover. It will form a dense mat that spreads very fast. Thus, ajuga is sometimes called carpet bugleweed. The plant is also used to control soil erosion. Ajuga holds the soil together, binding it so that it won’t erode. It is also effective in deer control. In some unknown reasons, deers do not like ajuga. Ajuga is not only use as ground cover, soil erosion control, and deer control. They are also used to treat wounds.
Though it may be a great ground cover, this plant may be very invasive. It covers and circumscribes plants that would make the plants die down. It sometimes invades other lawns and become a pest known as bugle lawn. To control its spread edge the Ajuga every mid-summer and spring. Pulling ajuga out from where it does not belong once in a while will also help to contain it.
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