Minus icon Plant Type Perennials, Groundcovers
Minus icon Height Short 4-6"
Minus icon Spacing Plant 12" apart
Minus icon Bloom Time Late Spring to Early Summer
Minus icon Sun / Shade Full Sun to Full Shade
Minus icon Growing Zones 4-9
Minus icon Soil Type Normal, Acidic, Clay, Sandy
Minus icon Water Needs Medium
Minus icon Sold In Plantable Pots (3.5x3.5x4")
You can't go wrong with the classics! These tried and true varieties are our staff's top picks for gardeners looking for low maintenance plants that will dazzle in the border.
Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' (PP15,815)
Ajuga is a low-maintenance ground cover that resembles a colorful carpet. With lush, waxy leaves and vibrant blooms, it forms a dense mat that suppresses weeds and tolerates light foot traffic. Native to Europe and Asia, Bugleweed features small clusters of purple, blue, white, or pink flowers in spring and varied foliage colors from dark green, to purple-black, and chartreuse. Adaptable to a wide variety of conditions except extremely wet. Plant under trees, along paths, between stepping stones, on slopes, or in shady woodland areas where grass will not grow. Will be evergreen in zones 6-9. Use care when planting near perennial beds or lawns, as it will spread.
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade with minimal care – will tolerate moderately dry soil but avoid wet, heavy soils. Will grow in full shade, but best foliage color usually occurs in part-sun locations (at least 3-4 hours of sun per day). May appreciate some afternoon shade in hotter, southern zones. To rejuvenate foliage or tidy the planting, spent flowers may be removed with hedge shears or with a mower on a high setting or a string trimmer. Divide existing patches into individual rosettes in spring or fall.
Our plants are grown in 3.5x3.5x4” plantable pots. Made from 100% biodegradable coconut husk fibers (coir), these pots have tremendous advantages over plastic pots. With better air exchange, this "breathable" pot fosters robust root growth and reduces transplant shock since you can plant the pots directly in the ground. The pot naturally becomes part of the soil on its own over time—no composting required—and since they're made from a renewable resource that requires very little energy, they're earth-friendly too!
We offer a 100% guarantee for all our perennials to reach you in good condition and to grow. If you're not satisfied, we'll reship or refund immediately. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns—we share your passion for gardening and want your new plants to thrive in your border!
We use custom, earth-friendly packaging to make sure your order arrives in great condition, and we ship based on the best planting time for your growing zone (see the approximate dates below), unless otherwise indicated at checkout. If you wish, you can indicate a specific ship date during checkout.
