Ajuga reptans or Bugle, is a clump
forming spreading evergreen perennial. It spreads by way of stolons
- long shoots that grow away from the main plant and then form a small
plantlet at their tip which then sends down roots in its new position.
They are good ground cover plants in that
they require almost no care or attention once planted. They are best in
a semi-shaded position in moist damp soil, though not quite woodland
conditions which are too dark for them to flourish well. There are a
number of named varieties, many of which will also produce short flower
spikes in spring.
They'll grow to about 6 inches tall by 3
foot across by way of their creeping stolons. This also gives them a
great way of allowing for propagation, take a healthy plant in a pot
about 6 inches across in a semi-shaded place and allow it to grow. As it
produces stolons, pin them down in small "satellite" pots with
bent wire/hairgrips, after a few weeks, the stolons will have rooted and
so you can cut the connection with the mother plant and after a few more
weeks growing on, will be ready to plant in the ground themselves.
