perennial

Emerald Chip Bugleweed

Ajuga tenorii 'Emerald Chip'

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Emerald Chip Bugleweed (Ajuga tenorii 'Emerald Chip') at Lurvey Garden Center

Emerald Chip Bugleweed foliage

Emerald Chip Bugleweed foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Emerald Chip Bugleweed (Ajuga tenorii 'Emerald Chip') at Lurvey Garden Center

Emerald Chip Bugleweed

Emerald Chip Bugleweed

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  3 inches

Flower Height:  5 inches

Spacing:  12 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  3

Other Names:  Carpet Bugle

Description:

A ground hugging variety producing vibrant emerald green foliage; blue flower spikes in spring blanket the leaves, forming a dense groundcover ; vigorous and very cold hardy; excellent for basing containers, and edging

Ornamental Features

Emerald Chip Bugleweed features dainty spikes of blue flowers with sky blue overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to mid summer. Its attractive glossy oval leaves emerge light green in spring, turning dark green in color with hints of bluish-green the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Emerald Chip 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

Emerald Chip Bugleweed is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Emerald Chip Bugleweed will grow to be only 3 inches tall at maturity extending to 5 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 14 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. 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. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

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, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. 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.

Emerald Chip Bugleweed is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. 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.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features