Carpet bugle
Ajuga reptans
Carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–8 in tall and 12–24 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun to deep shade. Shade groundcover with striking foliage colors. Likes moisture, not for dry shade.
On the CSU listmedium water4–8 in tall and 12–24 in wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Ajuga reptans
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Burgundy Glow', 'Black Scallop', 'Catlin's Giant'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 4–8 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun, deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Dry shade under conifers, Cool north foundations
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySpreads via stolons; can overrun lawn edges
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Carpet bugle as a groundcover
Carpet bugle forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes light foot traffic, fine to step across occasionally, but not a play-lawn. It tolerates the dry shade and root competition under established trees, where many groundcovers struggle.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Carpet bugle good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Carpet bugle is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Carpet bugle?
- The main things to know: Spreads via stolons; can overrun lawn edges
- How big does Carpet bugle get?
- It matures to about 4–8 in tall and 12–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Carpet bugle?
- Space Carpet bugle about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Carpet bugle hardy on the Front Range?
- Carpet bugle is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Carpet bugle need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Carpet bugle native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Carpet bugle deer-resistant?
- Carpet bugle is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Carpet bugle a good firewise plant near the house?
- Carpet bugle is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Carpet bugle?
- Carpet bugle takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Can Carpet bugle replace a lawn?
- Yes, Carpet bugle works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Carpet bugle spread or stay put?
- Carpet bugle is mat-forming. Spreads via stolons; can overrun lawn edges Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Can you plant Carpet bugle under trees?
- Yes. Carpet bugle tolerates the dry shade and root competition under established trees, where many groundcovers struggle. Water it well through its first year while it establishes among the roots.
- Does Carpet bugle stay green in winter?
- Carpet bugle keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
