Home and Garden Information Center, Home and Garden Mimeo HG88. Although it has pretty flowers and is available in several different cultivars that work well in landscaping, it can also mak… Once established, invasive species can negatively impact agriculture, recreation, forestry, human heath, the environment, and the economy. The DNR is working with citizens and partners to slow the spread of invasive species. The goal of this regional resource is to assist both experts and citizen scientists in the detection and identification of invasive species in support of the successful management of invasive species. Other common traditional u… Hand pulling – It’s always best to manage unwanted plants without use of chemicals whenever possible. Dixie Chip bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Dixie Chip'): Tricolor (pink, green and white), narrow foliage; violet-blue flowers; 2 to 4 inches high. Bugleweed does well in a wide range of temperatures, but in very hot, humid areas, it requires good air circulation to prevent crown rot. In the wild, it proliferates in marshlands and wetlands. Have tree and plant questions? Start bugleweed seed indoors in pots filled with a seed-starter mix. This is an evergreen perennial that grows at a slow rate. People use the parts that grow above the ground for medicine. Invasive Listing Sources: Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007: Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. Invasive Plant Control in Maryland. Bugleweed is a species of flowers that are commonly used for medicinal purposes. Many of our problem invasives were (and often still are) planted as landscape plants in New Jersey. Discard brown or withered clumps, and plant the individual plants in new locations. Burgundy Glow bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'):  Tricolor (burgundy, green and white) foliage; violet-blue flowers. These evergreen plants form dense mats of glossy leaves. Provide good air circulation in hot and humid areas where crown rot is a problem. Ajuga reptans, bugleweed or carpet bugle, is a low-growing ground cover with either green, purple or variegated foliage. Bugleweed prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils with a good amount of organic matter. To shear back a large area of bugleweed, use a lawnmower set to a high blade height. When the seedlings are viable, pot them up into larger containers. In the South, watch out for crown rot, also called "Southern blight," which is caused by a fungus (Sclerotium rolfsii). It presents gardeners with a tough decision in plant selection. Humans are responsible for almost all of the invasive plant and animal problems. Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Divide plants if they become overcrowded. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), also called common bugleweed, is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial ground cover (the species name reptans means "creeping"). Our future. It is not tolerant of heavy foot traffic. One of the major health benefits of bugleweed is … If the planting area becomes crowded, thin out the plants in the fall by digging up the entire clump and replanting half of the roots. Ajuga is one of the easiest plants to propagate. Avoid extremely wet sites. It will tolerate moderately dry soil. The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors. It forms a dense mat that will choke out weeds, and it is known to be fairly deer-resistant. Ajugas are especially nice because they hold their leaf color and stay attractive almost all year-round, and they bear blue, purple or white flowers from spring into summer. Habitat: Bugleweed is a rhizomatous herb endemic to Europe and Asia, and introduced in the United States. Debra LaGattuta is a certified master gardener with decades of experience with perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Elliptical to rounded shiny green leaves with square stems Garden of Aaron Adventures in gardening on Tennessee clay soil. The list includes plants that are not on the quarantine list (making them illegal to sell or purchase) but that have invasive potential, including burning bush and Japanese barberry. Size and Method of spreading. Lavendar-blue flower spikes appear in early spring. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the integrity of natural communities and also a direct threat to the survival of many indigenous species. Overview Information Bugleweed is a plant. From top level menus, use escape to exit the menu. The name bugleweed is a common name which can refer to several unrelated plants: Ajuga, especially Ajuga reptans, the most common species in the British Isles; Lycopus, the genus to which the gypsywort belongs; This page is an index of articles on plant species (or higher taxonomic groups) with the same common name (vernacular name). Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a durable and colorful flowering ground cover suiting a variety of environmental conditions and color schemes.Bugleweed is native to Europe, western Asia and Iran. Ajuga reptans is a slowly invasive prostrate groundcover with attractive vertical spikes of flowers in late Spring, and semi-evergreen foliage for year-round interest. During the 14th century, bugleweed was used in the treatment of a condition that was called consumption. Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains 288 records returned. Special notes: Bugleweed is an excellent low-growing, evergreen groundcover. The following menu has 3 levels. It … Golden Glow bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Golden Glow'):  Leaves are a mix of yellow and green, with rosy tones in cooler weather; violet-blue flowers. Invasive plants, animals and pests are taking a toll on Wisconsin's lakes, rivers and landscapes. Bugleweed maintains the TSH- a thyroid-stimulating hormone. This plant has some cultivated varieties. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Can develop crown rot in wet, crowded conditions. Be sure to remove any runners escaping the desired planting area. This is best done in spring or fall when there is no chance of frost. I found this growing along the shore of Lost Lake in Plymouth. Go to list of cultivars. Warning: Bugleweed can become invasive, particularly in well-watered lawns. Simple forms and light green or smooth foliage of companion plants will highlight the rough, scrubby texture of the bugleweed foliage. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Get expert help from The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic. Catlin's Giant bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant'):   8 inch long green leaves with purple highlights, violet-blue flowers. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. If you're not vigilant about controlling it, it will soon gain a toehold and become a pest. The Report IN is a regional effort to develop and provide an early detection and rapid response (EDRR) resource for invasive species. You can search, browse, and learn more about the plants in our living collections by visiting our BRAHMS website. Dig up the entire mother plant and surrounding clumps, then separate them by hand or with a knife. “Runners” develop from the ” mother” plants, take root and produce new plants similar to the growth habit of strawberries. Garlic mustard A list of invasive exotic plants , found in Indiana … Bugleweed is a low-growing ground cover, usually staying under 6 inches.  It is a trailing-rooting ground cover.  Trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system.  These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil.  New shoots will be formed at the point where rooting occurs. It is a member of the mint family. Thanks for this terrific site. Japanese honeysuckle 3. Purple loosestrife 2. 2003. It is a trailing-rooting ground cover. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Like many herbs that people find to be a nuisance, bugleweed should not be dismissed so lightly. While bugleweed is originally believed to be a native of Europe, it now thrives in various parts of the world, including the US where it is regarded as an invasive plant species. Consumption was used to describe a wasting disease caused by starvation from pulmonary tuberculosis. To control it in your planting beds, you'll have to be faithful about pulling it out from where it doesn't belong. Water bugleweed weekly while plants are getting established, then once every two to three weeks when they're established. Summary. American holistic practitioners have used bugleweed in treating cough, heart and also used it as a sedative. To keep the plant under control, rigorously prune runners twice a year. Once robust, transplant the seedlings into the garden. use escape to move to top level menu parent. It spreads by underground runners (or stolons) that form a dense mat of foliage. You can help prevent crown rot by assuring the soil drains well. The intent of the NC Native Plant Society Invasive Exotic Plant list is to rank exotic (alien, foreign, introduced, and non-indigenous) plants based on their invasive characteristics, to educate the public and resource managers, and to encourage early detection of invasive exotic species so that a rapid response can be implemented when needed. If you want to remove ajuga in an environmentally friendly manner, the … A variegated form is somewhat less invasive. Use enter to activate. Monday, September 9, 2013. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Bugleweed, common bugleweed, ajuga, carpet bugle, blue bugle, carpetweed, carpenter's herb, 6 to 9 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide, Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia. Several cultivars offer variegated foliage colors and patterns. The bugleweed is a perennial herb from the mint family that is native to Europe but found as an invasive species in North America. Bugleweed is a low-growing ground cover, usually staying under 6 inches. 2. Dark green leaves turn a reddish-bronze color in the fall. Bugleweed is a Spring-flowering semi-evergreen groundcover with several foliage color and flower color variants. Invasive species are plants, insects, and other organisms that were either accidentally or intentionally introduced from other places that cause harm to the things we value. Ajuga reptans is commonly known as bugle, blue bugle, bugleherb, bugleweed, carpetweed, carpet bugleweed, and common bugle, and traditionally but less commonly as St. Lawrence plant.It is an herbaceous flowering plant, in the mint family, native to Europe.It is invasive in parts of North America. Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008 Landscapers may use this plant for erosion control, but it spreads easily and may become invasive. Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. Cut off the flower spikes in late summer after the flowers have faded. Due to this, the herb is beneficial in preventing the onset of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes [3]. Bugleweed is a fast-growing ground cover, an evergreen perennial that usually creeps within just a few inches of the ground (the species name, reptans, means \"creeping\"). As a result, we engage in efforts to identify the most problematic species and to manage them when and where it is possible. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. Bugleweed attracts wildlife, including bees. Glossy buckthorn 5. Water whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil become dry. Or, use a water-soluble fertilizer at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water. Best in well-drained humus-rich soils. However, avoid planting bugleweed near lawn areas because it can quickly spread into turf grass. Browse the curated collection and add your voice! Foliage color is most vibrant when the plant receives at least three to four hours of sunlight daily. Will grow in full shade, but best foliage color usually occurs in part-sun locations (at least 3-4 hours of sun per day). Plant this perennial where its invasive qualities are welcome, such as on a bank or under trees. Below are the most effective methods for treating bugleweeds that have become invasive. Now I know I can leave alone as I plant blue flag iris and blue gentian seeds alongside the bugleweed. Bugleweed has shiny, dark green leaves and produces blue, violet, or purple flower spikes in mid- to late-spring that can reach 8 to 10 inches tall, although the flower spikes on some cultivars are shorter. It spreads by underground runners that form clumps surrounding the parent plant. It offers bright, semi-evergreen foliage and showy flower spikes in amazing shades of blue. It is native to parts of Europe and Asia, and thrives in warm to cooler climates. Bronze Beauty bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Bronze Beauty'):  metallic bronze leaves; violet-blue flowers. It is easy to grow as it can cover the ground like a carpet of green or multicolor evergreen leaves. Black Scallop bugleweed  (Ajuga reptans 'Binblasca'): Leaves are dark purple, nearly black, with scalloped edges; violet-blue flowers. These are popular plants that many customers expect to find at their local nursery, so the decision to disco… It is so tough that it can even grow under black walnut trees (Juglans nigra), which produces a chemical that discourages most plants. Also known as carpetweed or bugleweed, Ajuga reptans is a perennial that is typically hardy in zones 3 to 9. Plant bugleweed in an area where air circulation is good, spacing the plants about 1 foot apart. This low-growing bugleweed will spread in the garden by stolons (reptans means creepin… The low, dense spreading habit of bugleweed makes an excellent  ground cover for part-shade or shady areas. Chocolate Chip™ bugleweed  (Ajuga reptans  'Valfredda'): tiny, 1to 3 inch teardrop leaves turn deep chocolate bronze color, a dwarf creeping form. Through educational outreach, strategic planning and active management we are … Silver Beauty bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Silver Beauty'):  Green leaves edged in white; violet-blue flowers. Autumn olive 4. When it is needed, apply an all-purpose granular fertilizer. Ajuga – also known as bugleweed – is a tough, low-growing ground cover. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost; they will sprout within a month. Pink Lightning bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Pink Lightning'): Green leaves edged in white; pink flowers. Plant Description: Bugleweed is a perennial plant belonging to the mint family and is closely related to a … Stop by, email, or call. Bugleweed is in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is native to north-western Africa (Algeria and Tunisia), Europe and western Asia (Iran, northern Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and southern Russia). Mint is an aggressive spreader so it is no surprise that bugleweed is also an aggressive spreader. In an effort to slow the spread of invasive plants in our region, Gardener's Supply does not sell plants on the invasive \"watch list\" at its garden centers. Historically, bugleweed was used as a part of Old Europe’s folk medicine then, later, by the early American herbalists as a remedy for cough, a sedative, and as a remedy for heart palpitations. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. The vigorous plant grows in a carpet of shiny foliage and massed flowers, swiftly forming dense mats that require little maintenance. Because bugleweed spreads aggressively via runners, that fact should alert you to its potential to be invasive. Our communities. The Groundcover Review series continues with a look at Ajuga reptans (also known as Bugleweed). 4 pp. However, there are a few situations in which its good qualities will be enough reason for some gardeners to grow it. Our trees. Building the urban forest for 2050. Bugleweed excels at filling in large, shady areas where lawns are difficult to grow, and it can work well on banks or slopes or planted around trees and shrubs. I had no idea if it was native or invasive. Natural Areas Conservation Training Program, Black walnut toxicity (plants tolerant of), Preventing construction damage to trees and shrubs, Trees and shrubs for the four seasons landscape, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight and Phytophthora ramorum, Eastern United States Wetlands Collection, Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily). Carpet bugleweed grows rapidly by producing mats of foliage in rosettes. Prefers moist, humusy soils with good drainage, but tolerates moderately dry ones. Some herbalists … Introduced, Invasive, and Noxious Plants: About Weeds of the U.S. NRCS Invasive Species Policy Invasive Species Executive Order 13112. Bugleweed is known to help promote heart health as it aids in normalising the heart rate and reducing blood pressure. Trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system. Feeding is rarely necessary unless the plant is growing in poor soil. At the point where these clumps begin to get crowded, you can dig them up and transplant them. Generally, the plant thrives in a shady, moist habitats. It grows in well-drained soil in partial shade. Tough, aggressive and low-maintenance, is Ajuga a valuable workhorse or an invasive menace? Examples of non-native plants include: 1. White bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Alba'):  white flowers. Soothes anxiety. Bugleweed does well in full sun to part shade locations. The low-growing habit and small leaves of the bugleweed cover the ground in a thick, lush layer of green, perfect for filling in among other plants in the landscape.  The round green leaves often have a purple tinge and low, short spikes of violet-blue flowers add spring interest.Â. It has a long history of use to help with wounds, and is used in ointments and medicated oils. Click on an accepted name below to view its PLANTS … After its introduction to North America by European colonists, it has become invasive in some parts of the US and … Morning feeding is best, and make sure to rinse off any fertilizer granules from the leaves. Although it produces beautiful flower spikes and is available in several different cultivars that work well in landscaping, it can also make quite a nuisance of itself through its aggressive spreading via underground runners (called stolens). Depending upon the variety, flowers range from white to purple-blue while the foliage may be green to bronze or purple with some variegated forms. Water thoroughly after replanting.