How to Grow Ajuga in Your Home Flower Garden

Using perennials as a ground cover in a flower bed is a wonderful way to add texture to the overall picture you are creating. If you are looking for a plant that will grow in both sun and shade, then Ajuga is the one for you. Here are some tips on how to grow great Ajuga in your home flower garden.

The Ajuga plant has glossy, spoon-shaped leaves that are shaped somewhat similar to the leaves on a spinach plant. It is a low ground cover that will spread easily. The flowers of this plant are on the ends of spikes that are about a half inch long with two tips. The flowers are usually cobalt-blue and will appear in the late spring or early summer.

The perennial Ajuga will grow in average to rich soil. It should be well drained and can be in an area with either sun or shade. Seedlings should be planted either in the spring or fall. Thick growths of Ajuga can also be thinned in the spring or fall months. This perennial will spread quickly and is quite easily established. You can propagate by taking cuttings in the spring or summer or by dividing them during the growing season.

To help prevent problems, be sure the area has good drainage and air circulation. If crown rot takes hold in your plants, it can cause the entire group to wither and die. Be sure to remove damaged portions as soon as they are discovered. A sprinkling of sulfur on your Ajuga plants will prevent the disease from spreading.

Ajuga is a wonderful perennial to use where you need a solid, weed-proof ground-cover. It is resistent to all but the most persistent weeds because of the dense mats of foliage. In addition, if there is a spot in your lawn where nothing will grow, try planting Ajuga. Those dry patches of shade under your trees are a perfect spot. It can also be lovely when planted in the edge of flower beds, under downspouts, and where there is a bald spot in your lawn from water beating down at irregular intervals. Ajuga can also be planted in rock gardens, where it will spread around your rock specimens.

Since it is such a versatile and easy plant to grow, Ajuga is a wonderful perennial to add to your home flower gardens. There are many varieties to choose from, so there should be a type of Ajuga to meet your needs. Hopefully, these tips will help you to grow a wonderful batch of Ajuga in your home flower gardens.