You should be able to take a sharp spade and cut out 6" wide squares. You’ll succeed best at ajuga plant propagation if you select a sunny area or one that is in light shade for the plant’s new home. for Your Garden. This is something you need to keep in mind when deciding to grow Ajuga plants in your garden. Cover the ajuga plants with black plastic garbage bags or sheets. Propagating by seeds is one of the methods you can use to grow new Ajuga plants. You can also simply cut out big sections of plant mats – like lawn sod – and move them to a new location. It is best to do this in the early spring or fall. Clean up the remaining dried, shriveled foliage and leave the roots alone. Plant in the new area. In a landscape environment Ajuga require little more than rain water to do well. The vigorous plant grows in a carpet of shiny foliage and massed flowers, swiftly forming dense mats that require little maintenance. When you have filled the hole to the halfway point you can soak the soil. Ajuga can be planted in full sun, half sun and full shade locations and also tolerates a wide range of soils, although it can be susceptible to root rot in very wet sites. apart. It is best to do this in the fall or spring. Growing ajuga is easier than getting rid of it, so take its rapid growth into account before you decide on ajuga plant propagation. Ajuga Tips. These are tough plants that can survive many different circumstances. This is a fast-growing plant that will spread by stolons to form an attractive ground cover. With this method, you simply sow Ajuga plant seeds in containers. Make sure to space the holes 8 to 15 inches apart. The plants will die due to deprivation of sunlight and nutrition. Depending on how cold your winter lows are, they may go dormant or semi dormant on you where you are. Prick out the individual plants and place in larger containers. Then dig holes just deep enough for the root balls, spacing the holes 8 to 15 inches apart. Firstly dig up an existing clump … If we sell too many we need to use one or both of the other propagation methods. Learn how to say Ajuga in English with Chad Wordsmith How to pronounce Ajuga How to say Ajuga ), also called bugleweed or carpet bugle, is a flowering perennial groundcover that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. What is great about Ajuga plants is that they grow quickly and can cover large areas with shiny foliage and beautiful flowers. If you decide to do this, sow ajuga plant seeds in containers in fall or spring. The seeds should germinate in about a month or a little less. Ajuga is not a groundcover for everybody or to be placed in a mixed perennial border. A bit more information: Reduce the risk of crown rot to healthy plantings by thinning groundcover plantings every few years or before they become overcrowded. It … During cooler weather, the plants turn quite dark and may lighten up somewhat during the heat of summer. Ideas and Inspiration Ajuga plants do best in moist, fertile soil. If this invasive attribute of Ajuga is a problem, it may be necessary to use … Ajuga spread by underground runners called stolons. It is best to do this in the fall or spring. This can lead to plants growing all the way across the lawn and into places reserved for other plants. Ajuga reptans is commonly known as bugle, blue bugle, bugleherb, bugleweed, carpetweed, carpet bugleweed, and common bugle, and traditionally but less commonly as St. Lawrence plant.It is an herbaceous flowering plant, in the mint family, native to Europe.It is invasive in parts of North America. Ajugas should be placed under a light misting regime for the first week of propagation; then for the remainder of the rooting time, it … This particular selection is prized for its handsome evergreen foliage with deep burgundy-chocolate tones. Dividing ajuga’s is very simple 1. This will give you additional Ajuga plants. Can be planted over spring bulbs such as snowdrops (Galanthus). Tips for Pruning Your Dieffenbachia Plant, Oncidium Orchids Care: 8 Mistakes to Avoid. Ajuga – also known as bugleweed – is a tough, low-growing ground cover. While it prefers moist soils with good drainage, it will tolerate moderately dry conditions. Once they are in the ground, cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost. In summer, move the young plants to your garden beds. You’ll first want to prepare a garden space to plant your new ajuga. I too have found Lamium does not deserve it's reputation as a good groundcover in Ontario. Plant them in holes wide and deep enough for the root ball; space 8-15 in. When this happens, it is a good time to pick them up and divide them. How to Grow Bugleweed / Ajuga It is best to sow on the soil surface, then cover Ajuga seeds with a light dusting of soil on top. With this method, you simply sow Ajuga plant seeds in containers. They should be spaced 15 to 30 cm apart in the spring or autumn. Top dress where you made the cut and then stand back, way back as it spreads even more. AJUGA. Once this is done, simply replant them in another location. Prick out the individual plants and place in larger containers. When it comes to producing multiple plants in a short period of time division of ajuga reptans is the fastest method. Ajuga species can grow in either full sunlight or in the shade. For this reason it’s our preferred method in our nursery. Prev Next Pause Resume. Mine go dormant for about 4 weeks in January then bounce right back extremely fast. But there are a few situations i… These runners root the plant in nearby soil and form clumps. Ajuga is easily grown in well-drained soils in part-sun to part-shade. Our Ajuga liners are well-rooted starter plants that come ready to transplant into your final container. Once they are in the ground, cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost. And avoid planting crown rot susceptible plants in the bed where the Ajuga died. Sign up for our newsletter. Consider amending the soil with compost, peatmoss or coir to improve drainage before planting. As root knot nematode juveniles can live in the galls they form on the roots, they will continue to multiply even as the roots are dying out. There are two main ways of propagation: from plant seeds or by division. You can start propagating ajuga plants from plant seeds or by division. It’s a good idea to work in humus or other organic material to the soil before planting time. Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip', also known as bugleweed, is a low-growing creeping groundcover. Then continue back-filling to the top edge of the rootball. Ajuga-Bugleweed Propagating Ajuga is one of the easiest plants to reproduce because they spread by stolons which root into the surrounding areas when fertile soil is available and form clumps. If this is impossible to find, try a spot that is in light shade. You can work in some humus or other organic material in the soil before you decide to plant the Ajugas. If you're concerned that ajuga is considered an invasive in your region, visit the Invasive Plant Atlas. I hope you enjoy my blog and that my blog inspires you to garden. Ajuga is excellent plant to use for erosion control due to it's extensive root system! Root rot diseases can also be a problem. Once it is warm enough, simply dig holes that are deep enough for Ajuga root balls. We just need to ensure we keep enough stock so that we can divide enough plants to produce a viable number for sale. It spreads by forming offshoots (stolons) that reach away from the plant, forming nodes and sending down roots where they touch the ground. Your email address will not be published. The seeds germinate in a month or less. Ajuga won’t flower well in full shade. Ajuga is susceptible to the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), which mainly occurs from the Midlands to the Low Country. Stir in a small amount of salt and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Another thing you can do is to simply cut out bigger sections of the plant mats and move them to a new location. When not working, I love digging in my garden. Ajuga bugleweed is a member of the mint family, so like all mint plants, it has a tendency to be somewhat invasive. The ajuga clumps will eventually get crowded and begin to lose vigor. Without the proper measures, it can easily become invasive! Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! These plants also produce attractive flower spikes in various shades of blue. Infected plantings will begin to thin out in spots and plants may die. In these types of shaded environment the plant will grow well and spread quickly. Gently loosen the plants’ roots, place them in the ground, and firm the soil around them. Keep in mind that Ajugas spread through the underground runners called stolons. 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Propagation of ajuga by division is an operation for early spring or fall. If you wish to propagate Ajuga plants there are a few simple tips to follow. Before planting, carefully loosen the plants’ roots. One might wonder how to propagate these plants. To achieve the best results with Ajuga, use a well-drained soil in partial shade with light feed (150 ppm nitrogen). Just cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost and keep the soil moist. The seeds germinate in a month or less. This is the time to lift and divide them in order to obtain additional ajuga plants. Once the growth is above the ground, simply prick out the individual plants and move them to larger containers. Bugleweed is in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is native to north-western Africa (Algeria and Tunisia), Europe and western Asia (Iran, northern Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and southern Russia). It is also important to keep the soil moist. 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. Non-Patented Varieties. Just cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost and keep the soil moist. Keep in mind that Ajugas can’t flower if they are in full shade. Remember, they are known for their rapid growth so this is something you should keep in mind before you attempt to propagate them. After setting your Ajuga in the planting hole, use one hand to hold the plant straight and your other hand to begin back-filling your soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Ajuga reptans. Stem cuttings with or without pre-formed roots are easiest to root in mid-summer after flowering is finished but can be propagated successfully anytime of the year. Just take your cuttings and plant them but don't bury the top growth. The good news is that Ajugas are very easy to propagate. Both methods can provide excellent results. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Dig the planting hole twice as … Avoid planting adjacent to lawn areas since little islands of ajuga may start appearing in the grass. This process, called solarization, will smother any surviving ajuga. They can quickly form a mat on the ground that doesn’t require much care. Propagating by seeds is one of the methods you can use to grow new Ajuga plants. Ajuga plants are vigorous and they are famous for their bright, semi-green foliage. Although it has pretty flowers and is available in several different cultivars that work well in landscaping, it can also make quite a nuisance of itself through rampant spread. Ajuga is fairly shallow rooted. Required fields are marked *. Summers are too hot and the soil gets too dry. Ajuga is pretty hard to kill. Good for small spaces, containers and rock gardens. The darkest form of Ajuga, ‘Black Scallop’ has midnight-purple foliage. In fact, it can often happen without your wish: Ajuga plants can sometimes become invasive on their own. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is important to wait until all the risk of the frost has passed before you plant your Ajugas in the garden. Wait until the summer to move the young plants to the garden beds. Set some bricks, large rocks or pieces of firewood around the edges to secure the plastic in place. How to Grow Ajuga. The best soil for Ajuga plants is moist and fertile. Try to avoid using chemical herbicides near ajuga, they seem to promote rot in existing plants. Ajuga is one of the best groundcovers for weed control. The best place to choose is a sunny spot. They can be propagated almost anytime of the year as long as the transplants are watered thoroughly. Watch for aphids and spider mites. One way to start propagating ajuga plants is by planting seeds. Propagating through division is simple: just dig out the clumps and cut them apart (or pull them) into smaller sections. Therefore, you will want to be careful and strategic about where you plant it. Once established, Ajuga are very easy to care for. … It presents gardeners with a tough decision in plant selection. Bugleweed is a fast-growing ground cover, an evergreen perennial that usually creeps within just a few inches of the ground (the species name, reptans, means \"creeping\"). Propagating by divisions is the other method of growing new Ajuga plants. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). Dig a hole wide and deep enough for the Ajuga's root ball. Apply the solution with a spray bottle or a garden sprayer. Back to Previous Page Carpet Bugle Ajuga reptans Mint family (Lamiaceae) Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 4-12" tall and unbranched, consisting of a rosette of leaves and a flowering stalk. Photo credit: Aqua-Marina via photopin cc, Your email address will not be published. The first thing you need to do is to prepare a space in your garden to plant your Ajugas. They root pretty fast, just keep them moist like dp said. If planting several plants, space the holes between 8 and 15 inches apart. Plant 1 plug per 4in pot. They are evergreen or semi-evergreen, obovate (spoon-shaped), and nearly hairless. I’m a gardening enthusiast with over 25 years of experience. Roots of infected plants will contain small knots caused by the feeding of these microscopic worms. Read on for information about propagating ajuga plants. All you have to do is dig out the clumps and pull or cut them apart into smaller sections, then replant them in another location. Till the soil 2-3 times in the fall. This plant needs to be protected from sunlightas it grows stunted and unhealthy if planted out in strong sun. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Ajuga plants, commonly known as bugleweed, are low-growing plants that are ideal as a ground cover. It is best planted in partial shade or even full shade, perhaps in the shadow of a house or tree that will protect it at least part of the day. These starter plant liners are the best royalty-free varieties we've collected over the years. Wholesale Ajuga Rooted Plug Liners. Remove the roots of old plants when clearing the bed. Chances are next season the plants will regenerate from the roots. How to grow ajuga in a garden Choose a part shaded spot in the garden that receives filtered or morning sun and is sheltered from the afternoon sun that has well drained soil. It’s a simple process. Here are some easy tips on how to grow Ajuga plants: These perennial plants are easy to grow and maintain in a wide range of soils: sand, loam, or clay. Ajugas are members of the mint family, and like most mints, their rapid growth rate may create problems. Stolons root the plant in the soil and form clumps. I grow everything I can from veggies to plants. Avoid “Ajuga lawn” by planting away from turf or you’ll have a co-mingling of lawn & Ajuga. If you decide to do this, sow ajuga plant seeds in containers in fall or spring. Removing the remaining root mass can extract those juveniles. © 2020 All Rights Reserved. While Ajuga is typically dependable and vigorous, every once in a while patches of it will suddenly die out. Just make sure the soil is acid. These clumps eventually get too crowded so they start to lose vigor. Wait until all chance of frost has passed to plant ajugas. Weeds find it tough to sprout through their thick root system. Black plastic – If the ajuga isn’t in your lawn, you may be able to smother large patches with black plastic. 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Be protected from sunlightas it grows stunted and unhealthy if planted out in spots and may... Obtain additional ajuga plants in a small amount of salt and a few drops of liquid dish.! Frost has passed to plant Ajugas grow everything i can from veggies to plants growing the. Plant Ajugas to the root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne incognita ), which mainly from! Are members of the year as long as the transplants are watered thoroughly website in browser... Wish: ajuga plants secure the plastic in place known for their rapid rate! Midnight-Purple foliage several plants, space the holes 8 to 15 inches apart moist soils with good drainage it... A small amount of salt and a few simple tips to follow method in our nursery good to... Often happen without your wish: ajuga plants can sometimes become invasive compost and keep the around. In fall or spring rapid growth rate may create problems ajuga, they evergreen... To a new location we can divide enough plants to your garden beds in selection. 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