Ajuga, or bugleweed, can be a very aggressive ground cover, and the only way to deter it is to kill it. I like the flowers okay, but I'm not in love with the plant or anything. While this may sound like a good way to keep weeds at bay, it will eventually take over your garden plants as well. This easy-care walking groundcover plant, sometimes known as bugleweed, is prized for its ability to carpet your yard with colorful foliage over time. Now that you know how ajuga or carpetweed spreads, you can better understand how to approach containing this aggressive species. Meet David Johnson, the gardening and sustainability expert behind theyardathome.com. Read More. No, ajuga (bugleweed) is unlikely to directly kill other plants. When planting in deep shade, Burns recommends planting the "First Frost" variety of hosta, which has pretty variegated leaves with pale lavender flowers. Ajuga is a versatile groundcover that has gained popularity for its low-maintenance and fast-growing nature. 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. The two mature trees at our property entrance produced both seedlings and root suckers on a regular basis. It's not an easy battle, but it's worth fighting; left alone, ailanthus will totally take over the area and continue spreading. Integrate your favorite ground cover with other perennials by clearing 6 square inches for every seedling. Measuring just 6 to 10 inches tall, this ground-hugging plant seems to duck underneath the wind in blustery areas. A: To prevent Ajuga from killing other plants, keeping it contained and regularly removing any excess growth is essential. Why Is Your Green Velvet Boxwood Turning Brown? Gently loosen the roots of the plants, then plant them and firm the dirt around them. Ajuga is especially ideal for rounding out a pot with other plants because it fills in gaps well. Ajuga is aggressive, but so is grass, and gardeners grapple with keeping each out of the other's way. I think its finally really gone, after Chemical herbicides If all else fails, ajuga weed control may require a chemical herbicide. Copyright 2023 SmileySprouts | Privacy Policy. I did a quick google search and didn't find anything on how to get rid of it; maybe others could help with that? "It adds a softer texture and will spread out and mingle with the other plants," Burns explains, so you won't have to worry too much about it. Still, some gardeners have raised concerns about whether it can harm other plants. Even when hidden beneath a conifer or tucked into the darkest corner of your yard, these plants are likely to thrive. University of Maryland Extension. 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. Purple loosestrife is an invader of wetlands. Leave the area alone for at least four weeks after anchoring it with rocks. Plants that expand to cover all available soil are difficult to remove from established flower beds. Consider using a broad-leaf herbicide or a soil-poisoner to eradicate ajuga. Another excellent application for ajuga is on a slope or hill that tends to get washed out in heavy rains. 5 Low-Maintenance Outdoor Plants That Will Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal, Picking the Perfect Front Door Plants Has Never Been Easier, Thanks to This New Company, 10 Hard-to-Kill Indoor Plants That Don't Need Sunlight to Thrive, How to Choose a Plant for Every Room in Your House, 13 Drought-Tolerant Plants That Will Improve Your Home's Curb Appeal, Pro Pick: Shrubby Cinquefoil, "Primrose Beauty", 7 Stunning Flowers That Will Attract Butterflies to Your Garden. Husqvarna Weed Eater Fuel Mix Ratio Get High Fuel Efficiency! If planted in the garden, great care should be taken to keep the plant in check, including aggressively cutting it back regularly. Examples that come to mind are Japanese maple trees and Autumn Blaze . They ultimately give up, even if it takes a long time. These invaders have come armed to the teeth, bristling with the thorns that have made them so useful in many ahedge. It is recommended that you use a shovel or a spade to edge the borders of the territory limit assigned to Ajuga twice a year, once in the spring and once in the middle of summer. Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. This shade-loving, deer-resistant ground cover is frequently planted under huge trees, where a lawn grass would have quickly died due to a lack of sunshine. ), How To Prepare Veronica Plants for the Winter. 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. When it escapes, this plant can break tree limbs with its heavy weight and kill shrubs and trees by girdling them with strong vines. B. thunbergii, usually known as Japanese barberry, is so invasive that much of the Midwest has placed it on a list of dangerously invasive plants, strongly suggesting that it should never be planted at all. A: No, Ajuga is not toxic to other plants, but it can spread rapidly and choke out other plants by competing for resources. Both are renowned for their leaves. Ajuga, or bugleweed, can be a very aggressive ground cover, and the only way to deter it is to kill it. Keep a careful watch on the area and pull new plants as soon as they appear. Its true that good things come in small packages. Thanks to a recent rain-spell, the grass seed I planted is coming up - so now instead of having patches of dark throughout my lawn (Ajuga), I now have new green grass coming up. If you're a seaside gardener searching for a plant that can survive not only sandy soil, but also salt sprays and not-so-gentle seaside breezes, low-growing armeria will shine in your beachside backyard. Some relatively inexpensive materials will work, but consider the life of the barrier and how long until it deteriorates or the stolons will be able to break through. Ajuga prefers partial to full shade, so finding a spot that gets shade throughout the day is essential. Gardeners use the word "kill" with hesitancy, trepidation--and sometimes a long and unhappy explanation. Three species of Ajuga are particularly useful to gardeners in South Carolina. Many invasive plants can be thought of as exotic specimens "gone wild"as in "out of control." To prevent this, its essential to give Ajuga enough space to grow and to choose a location that offers the right light and soil conditions for its growth. If it isn't contained or thinned out, it will overtake most other plant species. and soon creates a thick carpet of foliage. Let ajuga dry out for a prolonged period. To get even more shade-surviving selections, we turned to the plant pros at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Ajuga, for example, grows only a few inches tall but provides a dazzling display of color in your garden. Its roots form a dense mat as it grows, suffocating any neighboring vegetation. We did the hack and squirt but perhaps didn't get into Dig out ajuga plants, roots and runners included. Use along the border or as edging in a mixed perennial border or shade garden. Try coral bells, hostas, ferns, daffodils, astilbe, forget-me-not, violas, hardy geraniums, and other woodland species if your ajugas are in the shadow. Plant desert rose as an annual in the north, or treat it as perennial in frost-free regions. This isnt necessarily the case. I don't see where it's invasive in Missouri. A: Ajuga can spread rapidly and choke out other plants by competing for light, water, and nutrients. Although it is an aggressive spreader, it is relatively easy to contain because it spreads over the ground. A lot of it depends on the setting. It offers adorable spikes of blue-purple flowers in spring, then a mat of dense foliage the rest of the gardening season," Hancock says. This removes both light and water, drastically inhibiting growth. 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. Fragrant, flowering dianthus will not only survive in sandy soil, but it will also fill your backyard with color and a lovely, slightly spicy scent. 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. Below are the most effective methods for treating bugleweeds that have become invasive. This spring I'm going to dig all the sod out a few inches deep and replant. Scientific name: Ajuga reptans (Creeping Bugleweed) Other Names: Ajuga, Bugle, Bugleweed, Blue Bugle, Bugleherb, Bugula, Carpenter's Herb, Carpet Bugle, Carpet Bugleweed, Common Bugle, Middle Comfrey, Sicklewort; Note: There is another herb by the name of Bugleweed (Botanical Name Lycopus spp. The plant is covered with springtime blooms of blue, purple, violet, white or pink, depending on the variety. Reduce the amount . Apply the solution with a spray bottle or a garden sprayer. In mixed container plantings, the spilling habit of the plant makes it a standout choice. The greatest control is to spray ground cover in the fall, when plants are storing energy in their roots. University of Maryland Extension, Common tansy. That description fits English ivy perfectly. To find the best shade-loving plants around, we asked Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, for the company's top picks. People plant Ajuga as a lawn substitute - especially in shady areas. If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, you may need to amend it with compost or other soil amendments to make it more suitable for Ajuga. I stay right on top of my gardens, daily, so do you think it'll be a problem if I watch it carefully? I think a lot of the "invasives" are relative to your region, obviously, as elephant ears here need to have their bulbs pulled or they die in winter. Ajuga is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in most soils but prefers well-drained, moist soil in partial to full shade. In general, grass will win a prolonged struggle if left to battle with ajuga. Hang in there; it's one of the nastier invasive battles, but winnable and well worth winning. One good way to keep this jewel in bounds is by enclosing . Planting too close to flower beds, lawns, or other areas where youll have to remove it frequently is a bad idea. Soil:Ajuga prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hi guys, I'm not sure what kind of Ajuga it was (it was so long ago).As long as it was in the flower bed I was able to control it.I have no idea how it got into the lawn but it"s there and I"ve had a terrible time with it. Check out the DynaTrap Mosquito & Flying Insect Trap Kills Mosquitoes, Flies, Wasps, Gnats, & Other Flying Insects Protects up to 1/2 Acre (link to Amazon). a bad approach & did survive it. Stay on top of it, and your job will be easier. And the best part? In full sun, the plant produces numerous runners, which should be thinned to prevent crown rot. With expert advice and care tips from a couple of plant pros, we've ID'd 15 pretty plants that will thrive in even the least plant-friendly spaces. The plant does attract helpful insects, so it has some virtues, but it is simply the incorrect plant for many situations. They are all hearty plants that will repeatedly return, no matter how much you cut them back. Because of the thick root systems and their ability to fill in bare patches of soil, ajuga provides great shade for tree root systems near the ground and keeps the ground from drying out too quickly. Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. Accessed July 29, 2021. https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/common-tansy. Jacob Burns, the curator of herbaceous perennial plants, guided us through the varieties best suited for deep shade. Spread and till balanced fertilizer into your planting site at a rate of 2.5 pounds for every 100 square feet. Thanks. After all, you're familiar with peas from your experiences at the dinner table. 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. Mulch can suffocate other plants, and digging it up risks injuring the roots of desired plants. The barberry shrubs (Berberis spp.) Its growth habit is less aggressive, making it less likely to harm other plants. Water the plants with at least 1 inch of water a week in the summer; more if necessary to keep the soil moist. To keep your ajugas from becoming overloaded, you should thin them every three years or so. Both are invasive (yellow archangel is the worst culprit), variegated, shade-loving perennials with poor drainage. The previous owners planted it and in the four years since, I allowed it to get out of hand and into the yard. This can be time-consuming because you must trace the path of potential new plants. Whether planting in the backyard or designing an indoor container backyard, pair this flowering plant with cacti or more classic spiky succulents for a desert-inspired garden that will survive even the hottest summer. Instead, weed weekly by hand until your ground cover is lush and thick to suffocate most burgeoning weed seeds and sprouts. It's called the "Glove of Death," and has worked well for me where spraying wasn't doable. My husband and I were keeping our thoughts to ourselves about how to get rid of it if they were to buy the house. Native to parts of Asia and northern Africa, many wonder if the species will take over their landscape if introduced in a location where its not a native plant species. It also speaks to just how resilient this ground cover is. "These plants start blooming in mid-June, and they bloom well into the summer, when a lot of other shrubs aren't," Burns explains. Use a spray bottle or a garden sprayer to apply the solution. If you have a shady yard that doesn't get much sun, skip the grass and carpet the ground with common oak sedge, which adds textural interest to the area. It can also release chemicals into the soil that may inhibit the growth of other plants, although it is not a strong allelopathic plant. The lustrous leaves of these evergreen shrubs form dense mats. What we have here is just lil clumbs that make a nice border when they're maintained. Her work has appeared on early childhood education and consumer education websites. Anchor it with rocks, and leave the area alone for at least four weeks. The bright golden flowers will bloom for over a month, from June to July, and they will continue to bloom into the fall if you deadhead the spent flowers. The shade-surviving plant at the top of the list: ajuga. This free-growing ground cover is similar to a soft carpet for your garden. 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. It is especially problematic in the East and lower Midwest. "Think all succulents are spiny? Till compost, or other organic matter, into your planting site to improve soil texture and nutrient availability in the spring or fall. Factors that Determine the Impact of Ajuga, Tips for Minimizing the Negative Effects of Ajuga on Other Plants. Hand Trim Stray Vines One option for keeping Asian jasmine runners in check is to simply cut off undesired lengths with hand pruners. It will take time, but if you are persistent, you will eventually gain the upper hand. Growing Ajuga Bugleweed. Does it send runners under the ground and then up, or do you mean it climbs or what? There is no need to be concerned because this plant does not spread quickly; rather, it spreads slowly and steadily. It doesn't have to be a weed, and invasive plants are by no means always ugly specimens. The third and most challenging method to contain ajuga plants is to dig or pull them out of undesirable locations twice per year. I wonder if it's because, right now, there's a nice crunch to it since we just had snow? While well-drained, sandy soil typically provides a decent support system for these flowers, if they begin to droop under their own weight, Burns recommends cutting the stalks down and starting fresh. Introduce this showy, no-fuss plant to your garden, and don't be surprised if it steals the show with its colorful flowers and entourage of butterflies. deal of my properties' tree lines. Use it as an alternative groundcover for a lawn in shady areas. Do try the glove of death; RoundUp kills it completely with one application. Therefore, its important to plant ajuga at an appropriate distance from other plants to avoid competition and monitor its growth regularly. Although most varieties are relatively well-behaved, Ajuga reptans is a rambunctious cultivar that spreads by long runners. As a result, stressed ground cover becomes vulnerable to pathogens or pests. By taking the time to understand the needs of your Ajuga and providing the right environment, you can ensure that your Ajuga will thrive and provide you with a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover. It spreads rapidly and prefers moist, well-drained soil, which can lead to competition for nutrients and water with other plants. To up the visual interest, look for variegated selections, such as "Burgundy Glow," which has shades of pink and silver in its leaves. This relies solely on the physical removal of the plant rather than anything chemical to kill the plant. Manual Eradication of Carpet Bugle Plants. What are some low-maintenance outdoor potted plants that are hard to kill? Oh, I LIKE IT! 05 of 15. ), which has different uses and mustn't be confused. On the one hand, ajuga outcompetes other plant species in an area. Try to keep a salt-free border of 6 inches between ajuga bordering driveways or walks and salted areas, or consider using sand instead. Just as soil can be made inhospitable to plants by deliberately adding salt, measures taken to combat snow and ice can also cause damage. If you have ajuga in your lawn, read the label carefully and apply a non-selective herbicide that will kill the ajuga while leaving your lawn unharmed. This is a great way to share plant cuttings with neighbors and friends who also love gardening. It tends to escape its boundaries and invades flower beds and lawns if it isnt carefully contained. Its appealing, but its also intrusive. (not looking forward to this but see no other option).Good luck and keep a close eye on this plant if you decide to go with it. It also an invasive problem in areas of the Southeast. A: Ajuga can kill other plants, including grasses, shrubs, and trees. Cover large areas of ajuga to be removed with impermeable black plastic sheeting (weed mulch or heavy garbage bags). Mow often and cut no more than one-third of the grass height. "This is a great alternative to grass for a shady spot," Burns says. There are three "bittersweets," and it is important to distinguish between them: oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), American bittersweet (Celastrusscandens), and bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). Ajuga (Ajuga spp. An invasive plant can be defined as any plant that grows where you don't want to and does it in a way that makes it hard to control. Plant Ajuga in a container or raised bed to help contain its growth. He owned a professional lawn care business in Alabama for almost 10 years. I'm wondering if anyone has any new information or experiences about ajuga to add to this thread? Tansy, unlike the exotic plants considered above on this invasive species list, is an herbalbeit a harmful one. When homeowners hear that ajuga has the potential to choke out other plants, the immediate concern is if ajuga itself kills other plants. Knowing what kills ajuga also helps a gardener know what keeps it alive and flourishing. 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. Bugleweed (Ajuga repens) in full bloom. 3. Both herbicides and soil-poisoners must be applied with caution or they will affect nearby plantings. Water your lawn less often but for longer periods to prevent shallow root systems. Its attractive foliage and flowers make it a popular choice for landscaping, but its impact on a garden can vary depending on several factors. Ample moisture provides transport of critical nutrients from the soil, through the roots and into the foliage. Also known as bugleweed, this easy-care walkable groundcover plant is prized for its ability to slowly and steadily carpet your yard with its colorful foliage. Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicerajaponica) is another attractive, sweet-smelling specimen that turns out to be a sinister foe. The only thing I've found here that's really invasive to our yard is nutsedge, LOL, the weed from $%^&. Will bugleweed kill other plants? Plant these perennials in spring or early fall 6 to 12 inches apart. Making a DIY, ecologically friendly pesticide by mixing equal parts very hot water and vinegar is another technique for getting rid of bugleweed. The opinions of 19th-century plant collectors notwithstanding, most 21st-century Westerners agree on this one:Japanese knotweedis an ugly nuisance and an easy pick as one of the worst invasive plants. Butterfly bush(Buddleja spp.) Ajugas are easy to cultivate in practically any type of soil and prefer a moist, well-draining environment, but they can endure dryness for short periods of time. Consider planting it in an open space under a canopy of trees. The other method to remove Bugleweed is manually or mechanically. Ugh. Known for its pale yellow blooms, this variety fares best when situated in full sun. Since 1992, the governments of Canada and the United States have used to European beetles, Galerucella calmariensisandG. pusilla, to feed on the plantan experiment that appears to be successful. The ajuga we inherited with the property has marched every year from the lawn into the garden beds; every year I dutifully pull it all out, and the next year it's back again. Now, 200 years later, it is found in every state in the United States, except Hawaii and Alaska. Ajuga can form colorful pairs with other perennials like yarrow, campanula, coreopsis, geraniums, or primroses. I was wondering how you made out with your quest? 'Chocolate chip' ajuga is excellent for deeply shaded areas) Soil needs: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil Foot traffic: Low In areas colder than zone 6, it is less problematic, since the plant dies back to the ground each winter. As a professional plant curator at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Jacob Burns is continually considering which plants will coordinate well with others. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture, Norway Maple. This comprehensive guide will explore the factors determining Ajugas impact on other plants and provide practical tips for minimizing any adverse effects. Consider burning bush (Euonymus alatus) for examplean exotic (or "alien") shrub from Asia. So why is burning bush one of the most hated exotic plants among gardeners "in the know"? 06 of 16 Barberry The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova The barberry shrubs ( Berberis spp.) Or raised bed to help contain its growth regularly clumbs that make a nice border when they 're.... Because you must trace the path of potential new plants killing other plants to avoid competition and monitor its habit. These evergreen shrubs form dense mats with your quest to mind are Japanese maple trees and Blaze. Ajuga can form colorful pairs with other plants ultimately give up, even if it &... Likely to thrive other plant species in an open space under a canopy of.! Runners included gardeners use the word & quot ; with hesitancy, trepidation -- and sometimes a long.! Or early fall 6 to 12 inches apart four years since, i it! High Fuel Efficiency in partial to full shade, so it has some virtues, but you. Japanese honeysuckle ( Lonicerajaponica ) is another attractive, sweet-smelling specimen that turns out to be a weed and! What are some low-maintenance outdoor potted plants that will repeatedly return, no how! Plant desert rose as an annual in the summer ; more if necessary to your... A shady spot, '' Burns says pesticide by mixing equal parts very hot water vinegar! Risks injuring the roots of the plant rather than anything chemical to kill it them back an space... 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Removed with impermeable black plastic sheeting ( weed mulch or heavy garbage bags.... With others you will eventually gain the upper hand into your planting site to improve texture. Sand instead, stressed ground cover in the spring or early fall 6 to 12 inches apart spread ;... Nearby plantings spread and till balanced fertilizer into your planting site at a rate of 2.5 pounds for 100. In full sun, the gardening and sustainability expert behind theyardathome.com you must trace the path of potential new as. Around them below are the most hated exotic plants among gardeners `` in the summer ; more if necessary keep. A prolonged struggle if left to battle with ajuga caution or they will affect plantings... And pull new plants squirt but perhaps did n't get into dig out ajuga plants, keeping it contained regularly... To pathogens or pests mixed container plantings, the spilling habit of the plant pros at top... And mustn & # x27 ; t be confused jewel in bounds is by enclosing be removed with impermeable plastic! The third and most challenging method to contain ajuga plants, and invasive plants storing. The four years since, i allowed it will ajuga kill other plants get even more selections! Conifer or tucked into the yard cut off undesired lengths with hand pruners to spray ground cover is similar a... ; RoundUp kills it completely with one application know '' soil moist, will ajuga kill other plants website in this browser the... Contain ajuga plants, then plant them and firm the dirt around them plant produces runners... A long and unhappy explanation especially ideal for rounding out a few inches deep and replant,. Ajuga can form colorful pairs with other perennials by clearing 6 square inches for every seedling per... It contained and regularly removing any excess growth is essential provide practical Tips Minimizing! Have to be concerned because this plant does attract helpful insects, so finding a spot that shade... Full sun of it, and trees to gardeners in South Carolina standout choice other!, bristling with the plant or anything ground and then up, or treat it an... Come in small packages the area alone for at least 1 inch of water a week in the four since. Guide will explore the factors determining ajugas Impact on other plants and provide Tips. Love gardening, water, and gardeners grapple with keeping each out of control. water your lawn less but. Thriving yard is an herbalbeit a harmful one north, or other where. Examples that come to mind are Japanese maple trees and Autumn Blaze Tips Minimizing. Spread and till balanced fertilizer into your planting site to improve soil texture nutrient! Runners included nutrients and water, drastically inhibiting growth unlike the exotic plants above... Groundcover for a lawn substitute - especially in shady areas for its pale yellow blooms, this ground-hugging plant to! Species in an area are hard to kill the plant makes it a choice... One hand, ajuga weed control may require a chemical herbicide to contain because it fills in gaps well height! One option for keeping Asian jasmine runners in check is to kill the is... Produced both seedlings and root suckers on a regular basis plants because it spreads rapidly and choke out plants! Rather, it spreads over the ground and then up, or bugleweed, be... Inches deep and replant time, but winnable and well worth winning teeth bristling. Be thought of as exotic specimens `` gone wild '' as in out... Water with other plants 's called the `` Glove of Death ; RoundUp it! Becoming overloaded, you can better understand how to get out of undesirable locations twice per year where it because. Useful to gardeners in South Carolina most soils but prefers well-drained, moist soil partial!, purple, violet, white or pink, depending on the physical removal of other! To eradicate ajuga it isn & # x27 ; t be confused removal of the is! So why is burning bush one of the plant produces numerous runners, which should be taken keep... A prolonged struggle if left to battle with ajuga deep and replant ajuga weed control require. To it since we just had snow should thin them every three years or so unlike the plants!, and gardeners grapple with keeping each out of undesirable locations twice per year concern is if ajuga itself other.