Bugleweed plant profile
Ajuga reptans
A perennial ornamental for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Bugleweed
Bugleweed (ajuga) is a fast-spreading evergreen-to-semi-evergreen groundcover that forms a dense mat and sends up showy blue-violet flower spikes in mid to late spring into summer (NC State: spring through summer). Plant or divide in spring or fall; it tolerates all light levels and makes a thick cover in cool shady spots where grass will not grow, but it spreads aggressively, so keep it away from lawns and perennial beds.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Bugleweed in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Soil pH
- 5 to 6
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 10bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: crown rot, aggressive spreading.
Next steps
Continue with Bugleweed
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed, Blue Bugle, Carpet Bugle)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.