Why am I having difficulty growing ajuga?

9 years ago

Now, don't laugh - I thought this was supposed to be the easiest thing to grow, but I just can't seem to get them going! I planted a bunch of them in my back yard and only 2 survived the winter! Then in my front yard rock garden, the landscaping guy planted a whole bunch of them too, with a plan to create a mass effect, but most of them died over the winter!

The area in the backyard where I planted them was quite sunny and not too dry. The front yard faces north and had really great snow cover this past winter.

What is wrong with me!? Should I have done something differently when I planted them???

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weeper_11

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I've planted it twice and lost it both times. I sort of assumed that either it wasn't hardy enough or else it hates our heavy clay soil. There are other things that should be hardy for me that I can't grow because of that either - echinacea, Joe Pye Weed, rudbeckia...

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Comments (11)

FrozeBudd_z3/4
9 years ago
Gosh, I find this plant difficult to kill ... okay, I mean very easy to grow! A friend has several different varieties thriving in her zone 2 garden, maybe reliable snow cover is what makes the difference?
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debbiecz3
9 years ago
I've tried and failed with it several times before I had some success. I think it needs good moisture and good snow cover to help it survive. Last year I worried that it would take over the garden bed it was planted in but there was a lot of winter kill this year so it won't be an issue I don't think. I have two varieties: Black Scallop and an unnamed one I got from a plant sale. The Black Scallop has been much less vigorous in its growth.
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donna_in_sask
9 years ago
I've grown it and it died on me too. I have a friend in the city who grows it successfully. I also know someone who grows those mop-head hydrangeas in Saskatoon! I'm thinking some individual plants are hardier than others, and that microclimates have a huge impact on success rate.
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north53 Z2b MB
9 years ago
I've tried several times with no luck. I also assumed it just wasn't hardy.
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shazam_z3
9 years ago
They do not tolerate sun. They are a shade plant. Otherwise they burn to a crisp.

Also only certain cultivars are hardy here.
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FrozeBudd_z3/4
9 years ago
Seems to be so many variables with this plant, my friend that's having success with them in her zone 2 has them in full sun with a spruce shelterbelt that makes the area blazing hot. We both have silty soil, so maybe this is also a factor.
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shazam_z3
9 years ago
The ajuga I had grew like a weed, I had so much I divided it, any that were in full sun died. It was some kind of purple ajuga, I think it was 'Atropurpurea'. I also tried 'Chocolate Chip' a few times but it never overwintered.
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ostrich
Original Author
9 years ago
OK, so I am glad that I am not the only one having trouble with these ajugas! LOL! I am wondering what to replace it with now.... what else would have that creeping habit, with colourful foliage and also bright and vibrant flowers too!? Wow, I am not asking for a lot, am I!? LOL Anyway, seriously, your advice would be much appreciated!
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shazam_z3
9 years ago
Variegated periwinkle, variegated lamiums, creeping phlox, variegated thyme, creeping veronica, creeping jenny (buy this one in the cheaper annuals section - it's the same!). All should do fine. My favourite spreader is sweet woodruff because the flowers bloom super early, super long and are fragrant. I also have some ivy that's actually been surviving (just the common ivy).
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FrozeBudd_z3/4
9 years ago
Two years ago, I had super admired this ajuga at a friends place in zone 2 and was gifted a plant, the thing had totally shrugged off this summers intense dryness and heat. I LOVE the colors!
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Why am I having difficulty growing ajuga?

weeper_11

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FrozeBudd_z3/4

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Why am I having difficulty growing ajuga?

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