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- Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)
- Height 3 - 10 Inches
- Width 10 - 14 Inches
- Growing Zones 4-10
Black Scallop is an award winning new color variation for Ajuga reptans, the infamous bugleweed. Deep plum, almost black cupped leaves cover the ground so completely they can choke out weeds effectively. Springtime blue spikes of flowers appear which can be cut back when spent to allow the plant to focus on its foliage which is spectacular when grown enmass in your landscape. Ajuga is a member of the mint family, and spreads on underground roots. Assign a place in your full sun or full shade garden where it can spread out to its abandon.
Native to Europe, North Africa, and SW Asia, ajuga has naturalized in most regions of the United States. It thrives in Zones 4a-10a, or every region except the farthest north cold winter climates of North Dakota to Wyoming. It can become invasive and is infamous for taking over field after field. Consult with your county extension agency for any concerns you may have. It does well in containers and may be the best place to keep it under control while lending an almost unheard of contrast of glossy black leaves to pop against bright annuals in your patio container garden.
Black Scallop Ajuga Care
Care and maintenance is simple with ajuga as it is a tough, very hardy plant. It prefers well drained fertile soil with an acidic profile, pH 3.5 to 6.5. When grown in full sun there will be more spring flowers and smaller leaves, when in shade, foliage will be at its best and flowering at its minimum. Ajuga prefers moist soil but will tolerate some drought. Heat resistant, it will keep its lovely black glossy foliage even during the heat of summer. It does not particularly like being walked on, so placing it in a walkway between stones may not be the optimal place for it. Water during extremely dry periods for best results. In a container, water regularly and feed with a water soluble fertilizer every month.
Deadheading is recommended to keep flowers going as long as possible and prevent seeds from forming. A quick mowing with the mower deck set at a higher level will accomplish that for you. Plants can be cut down to the ground after flowering for a refresh of the foliage that will last well into fall. Winter protection is usually not required as this is quite hardy in most cold winter climates.
Black Scallop Ajuga Spacing
Space your plants about 10 to 14 inches apart. This is a low growing ground cover plant that looks great in large clumps. The flowers will shoot up to about 10 inches with the foliage topping out at about 3-4 inches. Use this natural ground cover under your acid loving perennials like azaleas and rhododendrons for an automatic weed control. It grows well on banks to help control erosion and is not bothered by black walnut, giving gardeners an alternative for lawns in difficult to grow areas of their landscape.
Black Scallop Ajuga Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10 |
| Plant Type: Perennial |
| Sunlight Exposure: Full Shade to Full Sun |
| Mature Height: 3 - 10 Inches |
| Mature Width: 10 - 14 Inches |
| Plant Spacing: 10 - 14 Inches |
| Growth Habit: Spreading |
| Flower Color(s): Blue |
| Flower Shade: True Blue |
| Seasonal Interest: Early Summer Late Spring |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Dark Green |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Features: Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance, Award Winner |
| Uses: Container Landscape |
| Plant Brand: Proven Winners |
| Botanical/Scientific Name: Ajuga reptans USPP 15,815 |
- SKU:
- AJUBS
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.