Planting Ajuga in the Pergola Garden
The border beneath my long, winding pergola continues to evolve.
Over the last year, I’ve made some big changes to the garden beds below my clematis pergola. As many of you may recall, late last summer we planted two long rows of boxwood, Buxus, along the entire length of the space - they’re all doing so well and growing more lush every day. Most recently, I wanted to add something new in between the developing shrubs - a perennial ground cover that would complement the existing color palette and add a bit of unique texture to the garden. After brainstorming with my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, I decided on Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’, a hardy burgundy-black leafed plant that grows well in full sun to full shade.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This is the back of the long winding pergola that runs alongside the carriage road behind by Tenant House.
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- It faces what I call the Party Lawn – one of my favorite lawn spaces at the farm. Here, you can see three of the six weeping hornbeams that line the opposite side and the old corn crib at the far end.
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- Last year, we started the latest pergola project to add boxwood to the border – boxwood that I had grown from small seedlings right here at the farm. This is the border before the boxwood was planted.
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- If you recall, we removed the row of sod along the entire length of pergola to accommodate the plantings.
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- And then planted the boxwood.
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- This border goes through several transformations through the year. We’ve planted thousands of bulbs on both sides of the pergola, which show beautiful colors through the seasons, but I also wanted a pretty evergreen ground cover to complement this area.
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- This is Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ – a unique perennial in the mint family Lamiaceae, with most species native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and southeastern Australia. Ajuga has lush dark burgundy-black foliage that blankets the ground when mature.
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- I bought many Ajuga plants to plant along the entire bed.
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- After experimenting with the potted plants, we decided to place three in between each boxwood shrub – two in the back and one in front. In landscape design, many gardeners go by the rule of planting in odd numbers for variance and repetition.
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- Starting at one end, Ryan began positioning the plants along the border. This is always a good idea before digging the holes, so they can be positioned where they would look best.
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- Phurba took on the task of planting each one.
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- Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’, also known as Black Scallop bugleweed, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle, has very glossy foliage and bright blue flowers in late spring.
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- Look closely, and see the beautiful crinkly or scalloped leaves. This plant does well in both full sun or full shade, but it grows more colorful flowers in full sun.
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- And as the name suggests, Ajuga spreads enthusiastically, producing abundant runners that root wherever they touch the soil, creating a carpet-effect.
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- Phurba creates a hole twice the size of the container. A plant’s roots grow out more easily into loosened, enriched soil.
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- The plant is then buried to the same depth it was in its pot. Never bury a plant deeper than its crown, or where the roots and the stems meet – buried crowns mean suffocated plants.
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- Most types of Ajuga only reach a height of six to nine inches when in full bloom. The multiplying rosettes of oval leaves will quickly grow so thick that weeds can’t compete.
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- Phurba moved from one section to another, quickly getting our new plants into the ground.
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- Nearby – my new heavy duty, waterproof multi-purpose garden tote from QVC – this one in black.
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- And here’s Blackie, watching all the planting activity from a shady spot in the garden.
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- When planting, space them about 10-inches apart to give them ample room to develop. Ajuga likes well-drained soil that is acidic with a pH in the range of 3.7 to 6.5.
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- And although Ajuga prefers moist soil, it will tolerate drought remarkably well.
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- In early spring Ajuga should be fertilized lightly with a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-5.
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- All the Ajuga will look striking in this garden among the boxwood and beneath the Rose of Sharon. I am looking so forward to seeing it flourish. What plants are you adding to your gardens this season? Share your own gardening stories and tips below.
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