Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 4a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | blue |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 10 inches |
| Spread | 14 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun to shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Black Scallop Bugleweed
Botanical name: Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’
A vigorous, low growing and spreading selection that features stunning scalloped, deep, dark purple foliage; blue flower spikes appear in the spring and into the early summer; heat tolerant and low maintenance; deadhead spent flowers.
Other names: Carpet Bugle
Ornamental Features
Black Scallop Bugleweed's attractive small crinkled round leaves emerge dark green in spring, turning deep purple in color the rest of the year. It features subtle spikes of blue flowers rising above the foliage from mid spring to early summer. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Black Scallop Bugleweed is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Spreading
Black Scallop Bugleweed is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens, Container Planting, Hanging Baskets
Planting and Growing
Black Scallop Bugleweed will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 14 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Black Scallop Bugleweed is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
