Bugle vs Foamflower

Bugle and Foamflower are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Bugle

Ajuga reptans 20 cm × 1 m after 10 years

A low ground cover that spreads quickly by runners and knits a dense carpet under trees and shrubs in part shade or shade, with spikes of blue flowers…

Ground cover

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 49

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia 30 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A woodland ground cover with maple-like leaves that last through mild winters and airy, foamy spikes of white or pink flowers floating above them in…

Ground cover

Part shade

Shade

from about CZK 170

Key differences

Foamflower grows taller, Bugle spreads wider: 30 cm × 45 cm and 20 cm × 1 m after ten years (an estimate: sources differ).
Bugle also takes heavy clay, Foamflower needs a loose, free-draining soil.
Bugle is cheaper: about CZK 79 at the size usually planted, against about CZK 170 for Foamflower.

Which one to choose?

Bugle is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay or price matters.

Watch out for

Bugle

Crown rot can thin out plantings in heavy, wet soil and in humid, stagnant air, so divide clumps that become overcrowded. Powdery mildew may also occur. The runners grow into lawns and neighbouring beds.

Foamflower

It scorches and then disappears in soil that dries out and in sun, yet rots in ground that stays wet in winter. Vine weevil grubs can eat the roots and slugs the young leaves, and powdery mildew appears occasionally. In Central Europe the foliage browns in hard winters without snow: cut off the damaged leaves in spring.

The data side by side

Feature	Bugle	Foamflower
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	20 cm × 1 m (uncertain)	30 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	10–30 cm × 0.3–1 m (uncertain)	15–45 cm × 30–60 cm (uncertain)
Growth rate	Fast	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Part shade, Shade	Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic	Average garden soil, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	no data	Low (uncertain)
Foliage	Semi-evergreen (uncertain)	Semi-evergreen (uncertain)
Flowering	April–June, blue (uncertain)	April–June, white, pink (uncertain)
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Low
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	25 cm	30 cm
Typical price	approx. CZK 79	approx. CZK 170

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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