General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best foliage color in obtained in sun but plants also grows well in shade. Wide soil tolerance, but prefers moist, humusy soils. Spreads rapidly by stolons and can be quite aggressive in lawns. Plants may be mowed on high setting after blooming in order to remove spent flower spikes and to tidy the appearance of the planting.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Common bugleweed is a dense, rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover which features shiny, dark green leaves. Whorls of tiny, blue-violet flowers appear in mid to late spring on spikes rising above the foliage to 10". Cultivars of this species feature leaves with more interesting and varied foliage color. When in full flower, large clumps of bugleweed can produce a striking display.
Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.
Crown rot can be a problem, particularly in the humid conditions of the deep South and in heavy soils. Avoid planting in wet, heavy soils, provide good air circulation and divide when clumps become overcrowded. Also avoid planting near perennial beds or lawns where its spreading nature could pose removal problems.
Uses:
Primary use is as a ground cover. Will fill in large, shady areas where lawns are difficult to establish. May also be planted on banks or slopes, under trees or around shrubs. Can be planted over spring bulbs such as snowdrops (Galanthus).
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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