How big does Bugle grow?

About 20 cm × 1 m after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Bugle grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, acidic.

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How much water does Bugle need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

Bugle

Ajuga reptans

Bugle (Ajuga reptans) is a ground cover plant that reaches 20 cm × 1 m after ten years. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about PLN 15.

Illustration of Bugle — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

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 in spring. It is happiest in fresh, moist soil; in scorching sun and dry ground the leaves can burn. Keep it away from lawns and perennial beds, because it creeps in easily and is hard to push back.

Watch out for

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.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 20 cm × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, blue

All details

Group	Ground cover
Light	Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	20 cm × 1 m
Ultimate size	10–30 cm × 0.3–1 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	April–June, blue
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	25 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about PLN 15

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. PLN 15

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants for shade Ground cover plants Plants for shade

Guide on the topic

Ground cover plants against weeds: which goes where, and how many you need A ground cover keeps weeds out once it has closed up: until then, usually for two or three summers, it needs mulch and weeding. Under trees and in shade, lesser periwinkle, bigroot geranium, barrenwort and barren strawberry do best; in sunny, dry places stonecrops, thymes and creeping junipers. Most perennial ground covers take 9-18 plants per square metre. The tables work out what a square metre costs at today's shop prices in your country.

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