WSU Clark County Extension
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Carpet Bugle

Scientific name: Ajuga reptans
Taxonomy
Family:Lamiaceae
Type:Groundcovers evergreen
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 9
Sun:Partial shade
Moisture:Wet
Plant Characteristics
Height:1 ft
Width:2 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Bloom Color:Purple
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description This evergreen groundcover is highly suited as lawn substitute in shaded areas where it would be a challenge to grow a nice stand of grass.

  Morphology:
Growing in a prostrate mat growth habit, Carpet Bugle is perennial groundcover that bears rosette leaves which are 3” long and 1” wide. The leave's edges slightly undulate. Leaf color varies upon the cultivar but can range from glossy green to bronze-purple. The original plant spreads by sending out under-ground stolons.

Whorls of tiny, dark bluish-purple flowers appear in mid to late spring on 4-angles flowering which shoot up to 10”, thus sending the flower up above the leaves below. Each flower is tubular in shape and consists of 2-lipped corolla.

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies.
and/or birds.

  Adaptation:
This groundcover prefers partial sun, slightly in a moist site rich with humus.

All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

There are reports from the eastern United States where this species is considered an invasive plant.

  Pests:
Largely pest free.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234