Ok, we’ll admit it. We have a purple crush. This time it’s with the award-winning ground cover, Ajuga reptans ‘Catlins Giant.’ Bugle or Carpetweed as it’s commonly known, is a vigorous groundcover native to Europe. The plant features glossy green-bronze foliage that changes colour with the seasons. In spring, it produces striking violet-blue flower spikes, growing up to approximately 20 cm tall. This variety of Ajuga has larger leaves and spreads quickly, providing dense coverage to prevent soil erosion and suppress weeds.
Pictured above: Ajuga planted beneath the bench seat.
Growing Conditions:
Ajuga thrives in subtropical to cool temperate climates and is frost tolerant. Catlin’s Giant prefers a moist, semi-shaded position for best flowering, but can also tolerate sunny locations. Ideal conditions include well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with regular watering. At maturity, Catlin’s Giant reaches a height of 15-30 cm and a width of 30-60 cm.
Care & Maintenance:
Ajuga is remarkably low maintenance. To ensure healthy growth, provide good air circulation and apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring to boost nutrient intake. Lightly prune during the warmer months to maintain its shape and size.
In a garden:
As an attractive and hardy groundcover, Catlin’s Giant is perfect for mass planting in the understory or beneath deciduous trees. It is also commonly used as border planting as shown above in a raised garden bed.