This easy-care walking groundcover plant, sometimes known as bugleweed, is prized for its ability to carpet your yard with colorful foliage over time. To settle them in and eliminate air pockets, water them thoroughly. In addition to the spectacular blooms, annual dianthus isn't afraid to show off its blue-green foliage, making it a welcome addition to garden beds or potted gardens. Ajuga is only bad for other plants because it is such an aggressive spreader with dense leaves and greenery. I let the volunteers get to a decent size and dig them up to pass on. This makes bugleweed plants relatively easy to contain in one area as long as you regularly maintain the area to keep it contained. Ajuga is a plant that goes by many other names, such as carpetweed and bugleweed, to name just two. Each juncture or joint along the way establishes an independent root system below and sends up a plant above. They can help with erosion control on a bank or slope, fill in a patchy lawn where grass wont grow, or simply offer color to shaded areas. It will grow into a dense mat with both lovely foliage and blooms. Or the Mexican Petunias (dwarf or regular size). Knowing what kills ajuga also helps a gardener know what keeps it alive and flourishing. It is the safer method for pets, humans, pollinators, and other neighborhood critters. There are times, however, when a once-welcomed plant tries to overwhelm its neighbors, or a new planting scheme requires removal of the old one. I agree that it is a pretty little plant, but I really do enjoy having others as well, lol. You see one or two in the garden, and if you don't deal with it promptly, next time you look there's a line of six or seven of them marching through the bed like Sherman driving for the sea. I promised myself never to plant anything "aggressive" on my new property. It blooms in a bluish-purple color. This plant's arrowhead-shaped leaves are readily found in shades of red, pink, and white, so you can coordinate this pick with the other plants in your garden. University of Florida Extension, Lantana. Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' The leaves are purple-tinged throughout the year, but get even darker in winter Excellent evergreen groundcover, blooms early-mid spring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This invasive plant, also known as ajuga (Ajuga reptans), is not eaten by invading deer, making it valuable for deer management. wasn't nasty enough chemical). Although most varieties are relatively well-behaved, Ajuga reptans is a rambunctious cultivar that spreads by long runners. A: Yes, Ajuga can be invasive and kill other plants if left unchecked. Cover large areas of ajuga to be removed with impermeable black plastic sheeting (weed mulch or heavy garbage bags). Following these simple steps can help minimize Ajugas adverse effects on other plants in your Garden. Consider using a broad-leaf herbicide or a soil-poisoner to eradicate ajuga. Black plastic If the ajuga isnt in your lawn, you may be able to smother large patches with black plastic. Ajuga works well as a groundcover for city plots -- ie areas surrounded by concrete -- because it is one of the fastest spreading plants I've seen. On the other hand, its rapid growth and spread can lead to the crowding and choking of different plants and competition for water and nutrients. If none of these methods appeal to you, but you still want ajuga in our landscape, consider planting your bugleweed in a container. One low-light pick at the top of Burns' list was the oakleaf hydrangea. Treat this tropical plant as an annual, or if you're adventurous, Hancock recommends bringing it indoors in the winter and keeping it in a bright spot. A: To control Ajuga growth, it is essential to remove any excess growth and keep it contained regularly. Tansy, unlike the exotic plants considered above on this invasive species list, is an herbalbeit a harmful one. Japanese knotweed (Fallopiajaponica) is a clumping perennial plant that has virtually no redeeming landscape value. :-), Sorry to hear that, seran, but I'm honestly not surprised since my experience was just the same. Ajuga is aggressive, but so is grass, and gardeners grapple with keeping each out of the other's way. Anchor it with rocks, and leave the area alone for at least four weeks. They preceded me by some years and thrived under the black locust trees (also not native and essentially invasive). However, it will appear all over the terrain, frequently in unwelcome locations. Fertilizing ajugas is rarely necessary. Some invasive plants listed are quite attractive. Katie Holdefehr is the associate editorial director at Real Simple. It has all turned satisfyingly brown and dead-looking, but we'll see next year Based on that experience, Seran, I doubt pulling will work for you (though your climate is markedly different from ours). Good luck. I too now have dark patches in my lawn. Burns suggests planting butterfly weed, not only because its vibrant orange blossoms will attract compliments, but also because it's the monarch butterfly host plant, and planting milkweed supports the species' survival. Runners, for sure, but I don't know about seedsCC is supposed to be less aggressive, but what if you are not there to care for it? Photo by Gretchen Heber. So, it's important to know which pests you're dealing with to determine which steps you should take to remove them. Purple loosestrife is an invader of wetlands. In some cases, this may be desirable, but in situations where you want a contained area of ajuga only, several effective methods exist to prevent the plants spread. Ajuga hasn't been a problem for me. Ajuga works well as a groundcover for city plots -- ie areas surrounded by concrete -- because it is one of the fastest spreading plants I've seen. Ajuga plants grow best in an acid to slightly acid soil ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale. Since ajuga stolons spread slowly but steadily, you will be able to see when stolons peek out of the established bed and begin to jut out into the trench. Plus, ajuga comes back every year, so you can plant it once and enjoy it for years to come. Light:Ajuga prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. This can be time-consuming because you must trace the path of potential new plants. These hardy outdoor plants can thrive in almost any condition. "This is a great alternative to grass for a shady spot," Burns says. Plants that expand to cover all available soil are difficult to remove from established flower beds. Ajugas are very attractive because their leaf color and attractiveness last virtually all year, and they produce blue, purple, or white blooms from spring to summer. If you want a maintenance-free bed, consider other methods to manage ajuga within a space before you put the first plant in the ground. It does not scour the earth that its planted in. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. When selecting plants for sandy soil, Jacob Burns from the Chicago Botanic Garden leans toward low-maintenance options, such as "Primrose Beauty," a type of flowering shrub that favors well-drained soil. Will ajuga kill other plants? I like the flowers okay, but I'm not in love with the plant or anything. Ruth. Does it send runners under the ground and then up, or do you mean it climbs or what? The third and most challenging method to contain ajuga plants is to dig or pull them out of undesirable locations twice per year. How does Ajuga Affect Other Plants in the Garden? "There are a wealth of varieties from which to choose. One of Hancock's favorite picks for a drought-prone area is the agave, a low-water succulent that makes a statement anywhere you plant it. There are three "bittersweets," and it is important to distinguish between them: oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), American bittersweet (Celastrusscandens), and bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). Both are considered good plants for dry shade once established. Any plants or weeds germinating in the soil can sprout; pull these weeds, roots and all, to clear out most unwanted plants before ground cover establishment. Whether you are establishing or maintaining ground cover, the soil should be damp for most species, such as blue star creeper (Laurentia fluviatilis), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Instead, weed weekly by hand until your ground cover is lush and thick to suffocate most burgeoning weed seeds and sprouts. The following list of 16 invasive plants comprises an introductory collection, but it is by no means an exhaustive list. Ajuga spreads aggressively but creeps slowly. Butterfly bush(Buddleja spp.) Yes - I am afraid I didn't realize what I had until it had invaded a great Plant these perennials in spring or early fall 6 to 12 inches apart. If it isnt contained or thinned out, it will overtake most other plant species. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases. Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. A: No, Ajuga is not toxic to other plants, but it can spread rapidly and choke out other plants by competing for resources. There's no doubting that Bishop's Weed in variegated form is a lovely plant. There is a wide range of cultivars to choose from, including with green, bronze-purple or marbled foliage. When planting in deep shade, Burns recommends planting the "First Frost" variety of hosta, which has pretty variegated leaves with pale lavender flowers. If your grass doesnt have ajuga, you might be able to smother huge portions with black plastic. Oh, I LIKE IT! While this may sound like a good way to keep weeds at bay, it will eventually take over your garden plants as well. What are some low-maintenance outdoor potted plants that are hard to kill? Prune Ajuga regularly to keep it from spreading. Spread and till balanced fertilizer into your planting site at a rate of 2.5 pounds for every 100 square feet. If the ajuga is in your lawn, read the label carefully and be sure to use a non-selective herbicide that will kill the ajuga without harming your lawn. We've now been ailanthus-free for several years, aside from the occasional wind-blown seedling (easily pulled out) thanks to the neighbor's tree. "We adore this tropical plant's metallic-purple foliageit definitely makes a statement on its own or paired with other plants," Hancock says. I will come back to this thread next year and report my results. "Cute and charming, this adorable little perennial has tufts of grassy foliage and globe-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, and white throughout the spring," Hancock explains. Using impermeable black plastic sheeting, cover huge portions of ajuga to be removed (weed mulch or heavy garbage bags). Although most varieties are relatively well-behaved, Ajuga reptans is a rambunctious cultivar that spreads by long runners. American Bittersweet. You may probably determine its a member of the carrot family by looking at the white, umbel blossoms, which look a lot like Queen Annes Lace. If any ajuga make a reappearance, I will use the "Glove of Death" method. Many invasive plants can be thought of as exotic specimens "gone wild"as in "out of control." I'm wondering if anyone has any new information or experiences about ajuga to add to this thread? Dont be fooled by a plants size. Any weeds that do appear should be pulled immediately. For example, bittersweet vines in some settings can be quite beautiful and desirable, but if they take over your woodland garden, they are a nuisance indeed. Ajuga reptans, sometimes known as carpetweed or bugleweed, is a perennial that thrives in zones 3 to 9. Read on for more information about getting rid of bugleweed. Lantana (Lantanacamara) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to tropical areas, and it is a notable invasive in Florida and Georgia and across the South all the way to California. The lustrous leaves of these evergreen shrubs form dense mats. This colorful, leafy plant is more than just durable, it's also a true standout in the garden. Do not plant your ground cover immediately after amending the area; instead, let the soil remain untouched for several weeks. deal of my properties' tree lines. Plant size is 6" to 9" tall and as wide. Soil:Ajuga prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. with the peak blossom period in May and June. When homeowners hear that ajuga has the potential to choke out other plants, the immediate concern is if ajuga itself kills other plants. Place decorative rocks or stepping stones between ground cover and perennials to maintain a barrier for spreading stolons, or above-ground stems. Has anyone had problems with Ajuga (Bugleweed) being invasive? Minimizing the adverse effects of Ajuga on other plants can be achieved by following a few simple steps. Ajuga grows well in pots as well. Keep it under control to avoid it spreading to places you dont want it to. Homemade herbicide Another option for getting rid of bugleweed is to create a homemade, environmentally friendly herbicide by mixing equal parts very hot water and vinegar. Gardeners use the word "kill" with hesitancy, trepidation--and sometimes a long and unhappy explanation. Hi Justwe, I just came across this thread in my quest to rid ajuga(the devil) from my lawn. Dawn. "Bees and butterflies love this plant," Burns says, so if you're looking to attract winged beauties to your yard, this flowering plant will soon become your go-to variety. Depending on the pest, you may want to give your plants a strong blast of water with a hose, manually knock pests off into a bucket of soapy water, or, cut away infested or diseased branches or leaves to keep them from contaminating the rest of the plant. Its appealing, but its also intrusive. In full sun, the plant produces numerous runners, which should be thinned to prevent crown rot. It can crowd out and choke other plants, blocking light and causing them to die. Apply the solution with a spray bottle or a garden sprayer. Turkesterone is a supplement derived from the plant Ajuga Turkestanica from the Lamiaceae family native to mountain ranges of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in Central Asia. Ajuga, or bugleweed, can be a very aggressive ground cover, and the only way to deter it is to kill it. Few shrubs put on a better fall foliage display. But on the other hand, it outcompetes weeds, making it a great choice to plant in a place where you dont want to have to weed by hand. I'll await anyones help! Remember that Ajuga is a low-maintenance plant that has good resistance to rabbits and deer . But this perennial vine from Asia is one of the very worst invasives of all time, and is sometimes ruefully called "the vine that ate the South." time I'm afraid. Stir in a small amount of salt and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. The thick nature of the plants colony growth system will keep undesirable weeds at bay. (Working Method). pulling & spraying its suckers for several years. Ajuga may be planted in zones 3 to 10, and it usually stays short, though it does gain a few inches when in flower. While rain can be a great resource for natural watering, you shouldn't rely on it entirely to keep your outdoor plants hydrated. If conditions are soggy, however, roots suffocate; they cannot absorb moisture, nutrients or oxygen. As with barberry, a privet hedge is a familiar sight. 4. The plants that grow from each juncture fill in quickly, covering bare areas with broad leaves that inhibit the growth of other plant species. Especially on a warm day, this flowering plant's lovely fragrance will greet you long before you spot the beautiful blossoms in shades of purple, pink, white, and lavender. Use a weed barrier to help prevent the Ajuga from spreading to other areas. This is a great way to share plant cuttings with neighbors and friends who also love gardening. I tried planting about 10 metallica crispas together to form a solid mat, but unfortunately, they don't really fill in, so I gave up. With these hard-to-kill plants readily available at nurseries and garden centers, there's no reason to let a dry, low-light space stop you from creating a showstopping backyard. I planted some Chocolate Chip Ajuga - I didn't have any idea it could be invasive. Generally, most types of Ajuga only reach a height of 6-9 inches when in full bloom. have assaulted North America from two sides. Your email address will not be published. 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