Oh boy--the pressures on *us* now!! Thanks alot Westy!LOL

I don't have an answer for you, but I would be interested in hearing if anyone, *here*,
is up to the test! Gulp!

I'm hoping to get some but maybe Ohio is the charm for grwoing it, if you did so well
in Columbus--not that far from us!!

Before I go, I did some research and this is what they had to say about watering Ajuga:

Normal Watering

Normal watering means that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly, as conditions require. Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season, but take care not to over water. The first two years after a plant is installed, regular watering is important for establishment. The first year is critical. It is better to water once a week and water deeply, than to water frequently for a few minutes.

It was also listed as ,"drought tolerant" on another site!

I had a beautiful 'Jack Frost' Brunnera last summer and did not realize I had left the hose on at a drizzle,
over-night, till the next morning! A couple of days later, it looked all dried up and I thought, well,
it MUST NEED more water! Finallly ,it turned literally completely BLACK! I later found out that you
have to be careful not to OVER-WATER them! I had drowned the poor thing!!!

Thanks Janice, for the research report. Just as I thought -maybe it's drying out too much between watering. Shoulda never left Columbus. And I've also lost Jack Frost -- too expensive to lose!

Westy

Westy,I can't tell you much from experience,because I just planted a Caitlin's Giant,but it is a quart size. So far,it is doing great! Also,I just planted a Jack Frost Brunnera,and it has already put on new leaves. I never water deeply as everyone else does,but right now,I don't have to,because we have been getting a lot of rain. I don't know what to tell you,but keep at it! You'll find the combination that works. Phil

Phil - let me know if it starts to disappear. It wilts first. I just heard that some of the cultivars are more susceptible to some kind of fungus or disease, and Caitlin's is one of the worst. If yours does well, I'm moving to NC. DH wants to go to Pinehurst anyway! (I want to go to Greenville).

Westy

Westy, you may have already seen this info...but just in case:

Root Knot Nematode (nematode - Meloidogyne incognita): Ajuga is very susceptible to root knot nematode. Infected plantings will begin to thin-out in spots and plants may die. Roots of infected plants will contain small knots caused by nematode feeding.

Southern Blight (fungus - Sclerotium rolfsii): Southern blight, also called Crown Rot, is a soil-borne disease of ajuga that will be more serious in poorly drained soils. Plants suddenly turn yellow and die in patches during warm, humid weather. Bases of stems rot and turn brown or black. Frequently, a white mold develops in which small reddish-tan bodies (sclerotia) develop. These sclerotia survive the winter and other unfavorable conditions.

alleged drought resistance is on an established plant ... all recent transplants must be watered heavily and deeply until establishment ...

second ITS NEARLY AUGUST ... maybe discounted plants should be left potted in the shade UNTIL PROPER PLANTING TIME IN September.. when the days are shorter.. the nights are longer ... oh the days dwindle down.. to a precious few.. September... oh... where have all the hogie Carmichael's gone .. anyway i digress..... lol .. here is the words running through my head:

Oh, its a long, long while
from May to December,
But the days grow short
when you reach September.

When the autumn weather
turns the leaves to flame
one hasn't got time
for the waiting game.

Oh the days dwindle down
to a precious few
September
November

And these few precious days
I'll spend with you.
These precious days
I'll spend with you.
--- and i see it wasn't Carmichael.. its on willie nelsons stardust.. but i am seriously digressing.. i wish this typewriter had a delete button .... rotf ...

anyway ... what tree is it under .. you know my thoughts on maples ... how dry was the soil when you planted it.. how hot has it been since you ripped it from the pot ... how many roots did you cut through before you got a hole big enough for it .... etc ...

sorry about the perennial forum .... lol ...

good luck .. water the bee gee bees out of them .... ken

Hi Carole,
You shouldn't have problems with this plant in your area.
It does like good drainage. mine are in their 3rd year and they are big and lush. I placed them so they are peeking out from under the hosta's. They get some light but mostly they stay cool from the leaf shade. They get the same amount of water as the hosta's. None of my hosta's are in any distress and look great. So even watering so the ground is moist not soaked could be the key.

When you purchase these plants and if they are in good condition try not to disturb the root ball. It may help them get adapted better.

Also check witht he nursery you got them from to get your money back...they should refund if you have a receipt.

Hey ken---thanks for singing us a tune!!! Lalalala, la,la,la, la!
Very nice--kinda off pitch on that second verse though!!!LOL{{gwi:891532}}

Son,

I thought you only sang to the kids when they were little?

Now you have me doing it, singing that old standard!

All together now, one, two , three---------!!!!!

As the days dwindle down , will the ajuga survive, till September, November?

monConnie

North west of Chicago. It took me two or three years to get mine established. It would increase and then die back probably because I gave it very little supplemental water. Now it thrives in our drought conditions. Pretty contrast to hostas and shrubs. My best advise, give it time. If you have worked the soil and added organic matter it will spread faster and be more uniform.

I also have a lot of common Ajuga growing in another part of my yard,in the grass between the road and my property. I has taken over a huge portion of the grass,which doesn't bother me because the grass is ugly anyway. Anyhow,the point I am trying to make is once established,it seems impossible to kill. This Ajuga was severely damaged during the spring freeze we had in April. It died back to a huge brown patch. I thought it was a goner,when it got very dry in the later spring,but when it began to rain again,it came roaring back,and has completely filled in again,and it spreading even more. It is in full sun,also. Now THAT"S what I call a ground cover! Phil