Black Scallop Ajuga

Light Needs

Full Shade to Full Sun

(Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)

Mature Height

3-10 Inches

Mature Spread

10-14 Inches

Growing Zones

4 to 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.