Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'

About this cultivar:

Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea' is a semi-evergreen perennial forming a mat of large, glossy purple-bronze leaves and erect spikes up to 15cm in height, with purpley blue flowers. Does well in problems area where grass will not grow, but not so tolerant of foot traffic. The specific epithet 'reptant' means creeping, which should remind you to watch it spreading too far! Easy and low maintenance, good for keeping down weeds.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Flowers: April, May, June
• Other features: Great Ground Cover, Bees and Butterflies
• Hardiness: H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20°C), Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Habit: Mat forming
• Foliage: Semi evergreen
• Height: 10 to 15 cm  (0.3 to 0.5 ft)
• Spread: 15 to 145 cm  (0.5 to 4.5 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: Blue, purple, green
• Goes well with: Path edges, front of the border, ground cover

About this genus:

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle, is a genus of 40 species annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae, with most species native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, but also two species in southeastern Australia.

They tend to be sprawling ground cover type plants that can spread quite quickly and aggressively. However most of the cultivars for sale don’t tend to be invasive. The inflorescence forms a dense raceme and is composed of whorls of often blue flowers. They usually feature shiny, dark green leaves.

Tough plants, they are great to use in problem areas. We tend to have our in damp or shady areas (even under a tree), but they should do well wherever you put them. As a small plant they can look great next to paths and at the front of a border.