BUGLE Ajuga reptans
One of the best ground covers for crowding out weeds, and especially planted at the base of shrubs and trees to help keep it weed-free and maintenance-free! Bugle forms a thick mat of leaves that are quite attractive, especially when they bloom, and become covered in masses of true deep-blue flower spikes! Plants grow well in sun or .
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: Leaves 2", Flower 6-7"
Location: Sun or
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Seeds per pack: 5
Germination: As with many perennial seeds, these seeds benefit from a period of moist cold to help them begin to grow. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:
Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container at room temperature for 2 weeks (they will not grow yet), and then place them in a refrigerator for 4-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container back at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout 4-6 weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period. They require some patience, but are well worth the effort!
If you are planting your seeds in late winter or spring, these seeds can be planted outdoors while it is still cool out (once the ground is workable and unfrozen), to receive the cold period naturally in the garden. It is best to use this method only if you are able to keep the soil moist for the entire germination period. Be sure to label the planting area.
