Bugleweed Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' (v)
ABOUT
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow', also known as bugleweed, is a colorful ground cover plant with an eye-catching appearance. The leaves of this variety have a unique tricolor pattern, with shades of burgundy, pink, white, and green blending across each leaf, creating a spectacular display that stands out in any garden setting. This foliage often exhibits a metallic or iridescent quality, especially when young, making it shine when it catches the light. As the seasons change, the foliage of bugleweed can also change, sometimes developing deeper tones of purple and bronze, or retaining more of its green during warmer months. In addition to its vibrant leaves, the plant produces flower spikes that rise just above the foliage, bearing small, deep blue or purple flowers that are tubular in shape and attract pollinators like bees to the garden. Bugleweed spreads through runners, creating a mat-forming habit that makes it an excellent choice for covering large areas with its ornamental leaves, providing both color and textural interest at ground level. Its tendency to spread also makes it useful for erosion control on slopes or in areas where other plants might struggle to take hold. Overall, the 'Burgundy Glow' cultivar of bugleweed offers a low-maintenance option for adding a splash of color and variety to a garden, without the need for frequent care or attention to height and spread.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Bugleweed, Carpet Bugle, Burgundy Glow Bugleweed, Creeping Bugle, Carpetweed, Common Bugle, Ajuga.
Common names
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'.
ToxicityTo humans
Bugleweed is not commonly considered a toxic plant to humans. There is generally no significant concern regarding its toxicity for human ingestion. However, as with many plants, it is possible to have an allergic reaction or to experience stomach discomfort if ingested in large quantities. It's always advisable to avoid eating plants not specifically grown for consumption.
To pets
Bugleweed is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is not listed as a poisonous plant to dogs or cats by major animal health organizations. While it should not cause serious harm if ingested by pets, ingestion can potentially result in mild gastrointestinal upset, as with any non-food plant material. As a precaution, it's best to discourage pets from eating ornamental plants.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Blue
Height
6 inches (15 cm
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Foliage: Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' offers colorful foliage with a mix of burgundy, cream, and green hues.
- Ground Cover: It serves as an excellent ground cover, quickly spreading to fill in gaps and suppress weeds.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering.
- Low Maintenance: This plant has minimal care requirements, making it ideal for gardeners of any skill level.
- Pest Resistance: It is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, which can benefit the garden by reducing the need for pest control.
- Erosion Control: The plant's dense growth habit helps prevent soil erosion on slopes and banks.
- Seasonal Interest: The plant offers visual interest across multiple seasons, with flowers in spring and attractive foliage throughout the growing season.
- Versatility: It can be used in various garden settings, including borders, rock gardens, and containers.
- Tolerant of Various Conditions: Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' can tolerate a range of conditions, including different soil types and levels of sunlight, from full sun to shade.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees, which is beneficial for the garden ecosystem.
Medical Properties- Astringent: Traditionally used for its astringent properties to help stop bleeding and heal wounds.
- Anti-inflammatory: May have anti-inflammatory effects useful in the treatment of skin conditions and relief of minor inflammation.
- Antioxidant: Contains compounds that exhibit antioxidant activity, potentially protecting cells from oxidative damage.
- Diuretic: Sometimes used as a diuretic to help increase the flow of urine and relieve fluid retention.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Groundcover: Ajuga reptans is commonly used in gardens to cover bare spots, suppressing weeds, and providing a carpet of foliage and color.
- Fauna habitat: Provides shelter and habitat for small wildlife, including beneficial insects and small mammals.
- Erosion control: The plant's dense mat and extensive root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes.
- Edging plants: Their compact growth habit makes them suitable for creating defined edges along garden beds or pathways.
- Living mulch: As it grows, Ajuga reptans effectively acts as a living mulch, maintaining soil moisture and temperature stability.
- Focal accents: The 'Burgundy Glow' variety can be used for artistic landscaping to provide splashes of color with its tri-colored foliage.
- Seasonal interest: With foliage that changes color throughout the seasons, it keeps gardens visually interesting year-round.
- Companion planting: It can be paired with taller plants to fill the lower strata of garden beds and create a layered garden design.
- Creative containers: It can be grown in containers where its foliage can spill attractively over the sides.
- Themed gardens: Used in Gothic or dark-themed gardens for its rich burgundy foliage, complementing other plants with dark or dramatic coloring.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bugleweed is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bugleweed is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Tenacity: Ajuga reptans, commonly known as Bugleweed, is a ground cover plant known for its aggressive growth and tenacious nature, symbolizing persistence and determination.
- Perseverance: Bugleweed's ability to thrive in various conditions represents the ability to persevere through challenges.
- Protection: Traditionally, some cultures view Bugleweed as a plant that offers protection due to its dense growth habit, which can prevent soil erosion and safeguard smaller plants.
- Grounding: As a ground cover, Bugleweed symbolizes staying grounded, humility, and connection to the earth.
WaterBugleweed requires consistent moisture but does not like to be waterlogged. It is best to water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once a week. Use approximately 1 gallon of water per square yard every week during the growing season, adjusting based on rainfall and temperatures. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water more frequently. In winter, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture due to slower growth. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases; instead, water at the base of the plants.
LightBugleweed thrives best in partial shade but can also tolerate full sun in cooler climates. Ideally, situate the plant in a spot that receives morning sunshine and afternoon shade to protect it from the intense heat of the day. In deep shade, the plant might not bloom as prolifically and its foliage may not be as vibrant.
TemperatureBugleweed is hardy and can survive in a range of temperatures. It prefers temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit but can withstand winter lows down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It's important to ensure that the soil doesn't freeze completely, as this can damage the roots. High temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit may stress the plant and require additional shading or watering.
PruningBugleweed should be pruned to remove any dead or damaged foliage and to promote denser growth. Pruning is best done in early spring before new growth begins. It doesn't typically require frequent pruning, but an annual tidy-up will help maintain its appearance and health. If the plant spreads too much, you can also prune to control its spread in the garden.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow') thrives best in moist, well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A good soil mix would be composed of garden soil, compost, and a bit of sand or perlite to improve drainage.
RepottingBugleweed does not require frequent repotting. It spreads through stolons and typically only needs repotting if it outgrows its container, which is likely every 2-3 years.
Humidity & MistingBugleweed can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels. It does not have specific humidity requirements and can grow well in typical outdoor humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in indirect light, maintain moist soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade; ensure well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleBugleweed 'Burgundy Glow' starts its life as a seed, which upon germination gives rise to a small seedling with a few leaves. This perennial plant then enters a vegetative state, growing a dense mat of attractive, variegated leaves that are green with shades of white, pink, and purple. In late spring to early summer, it sends up flowering spikes with blue to violet flowers, attracting bees and other pollinators. After the flowering period, the plant sets seed which can drop to the ground and germinate to produce new plants. Throughout the growing season, the plant also spreads vegetatively through stolons, which are aboveground runners that take root at the nodes and establish new clumps. As a perennial, Bugleweed 'Burgundy Glow' will die back in the winter, especially in colder climates, but it will regrow from its root system in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow', commonly known as Bugleweed, is most effectively propagated through division. The best time to divide this plant is in the spring or early fall when the weather is cool, and the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of Bugleweed and gently separate the plant into smaller sections, making sure that each section has a portion of root attached. These divisions should then be replanted at the same soil depth as the original plant and spaced about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged to encourage root establishment. This method is effective because it maintains the variegation of the 'Burgundy Glow' cultivar and results in new plants that are true to the parent's form and coloration.
