Burgundy Glow Ajuga

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ajuga, alternative medicine, bugleweed, burgundy glow ajuga, erosion, flowering spikes, flowers, full sun, gardening, ground cover, landscaping, low allergen, perennial, perennial gardening, shade plant

I planted my burgundy glow Ajuga last year during the fall. What first attracted me to this semi-evergreen ground-cover was its colorful foliage.  I had shades of green, cream and purple all winter in my perennial garden.  There was the added benefit, that it’s a low allergen plant.

Ajuga Flowering Spikes

This spring was the first time I got to see the beautiful purple flowering spikes (about 8″-10″ tall) and the runners of foliage reaching out. Ajuga is versatile enough to be planted in full sun or full shade. The Ajuga that is in full sun has more flowers, while the Ajuga in the shade is slower growing and has larger leaves. The flowers are supposed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, while the foliage deters deer (three more pros to this plant).

Ajuga Runners

To prune Ajuga you can trim or even mow, it’s really hardy. If you want a more controlled look, thin out runners as needed. This is a great ground cover for banks and to prevent erosion.

Some forms of Ajuga are even used in alternative medicines for heart problems.

What do you think about this plant?

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Early May Garden

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ajuga, alliums, Azaleas, burgundy glow ajuga, carpet rose, chicks and hens, faerie wands, fairy wand, garden, gardening, landscaping, oaks, perennial, rose, sedum, silver mound, trumpet vine

Happy Mother’s Day! Flowers are the most common present to give this day; whether fresh floral arrangements, hanging baskets/planters or potted for the garden. Let’s check out what I have in my garden this week.

This Week In My Garden…

Lush pillows of silver mound awoke.

Lush Silver Mound

Sedum is sweeping across my perennial garden, just behind my rock border.

Sedum

Trumpet vines are timidly showing their leaves.

Trumpet Vine

Abundant Alliums (fairy wands) are beautiful full purple globes dancing is the wind.

Alliums

The first rose of the year  opened, welcoming the new deck.

First Rose of the Year

The small chicks of last year, fill out to be adult hens.

Chicks become Hens

Burgundy Glow Ajuga races towards the sky.

Burgundy Glow Ajuga

The white azalea joins the party of pink, lavender and red azaleas.

White Azalea joins the Party

The oaks are stretching out and showcasing their new foliage and hugging my shade garden.

Three Oaks

Of course this isn’t all… The bleeding heart is still wear its heart on its sleeve. The Japanese Maple waves hello and goodbye by the lane. The long blooming grape hyacinths are the welcoming committee to all the returning perennials…

What’s arriving and in bloom this week where you are? What are your Mother’s Day plans?