Bugle
Ajuga reptans
Bugle is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or moist ground, flowering Apr, May.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 15 cm |
| Spread | 60 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-9b, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 15 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 60 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 9b and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, wet soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Bugle's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
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Worth knowing
- Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Black Cohoshfor height behind it
- Cinnamon Fernfor height behind it
- English Hollyfor height behind it
- Foxglovefor height behind it
- Fringed Bleeding Heartto edge in front
- Granny's Bonnetto flower when it does not