Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-JOO-guh REP-tanz
- Description
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Chocolate chip bugleweed is an evergreen, ground-hugging herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It is native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. This cultivar has oval, chocolate-colored leaves with burgundy highlights and bluish-purple flower spikes that bloom in mid- to late spring.
This plant prefers partial to full shade and humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. It spreads to form a mat and, over time, creates an attractive ground cover that is deer and rabbit resistant and easy to grow. Divide the plant when it grows too crowded in the spring or fall, or propagate it by seed.
Use this plant in small spaces, containers, borders, or under trees and shrubs. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinators, so plant it in a butterfly, cottage, pollinator, rock, or shade garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is susceptible to crown rot. Do not plant in heavy clay and avoid overcrowding. It can become weedy.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Fairy Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ajuga
- Species:
- reptans
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from the flowers attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- heavy shade, deer, rabbit
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Dense
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Rosulate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has small, chocolate leaves with burgundy highlights.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
