- 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 Known 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 Known 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 Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 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 Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known 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 Known 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 Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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