Bugle Burgundy Glow (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 31st Jan 2024
- Plant Characteristics: The 'Burgundy Glow' variety of Ajuga reptans boasts striking, tricolored foliage in shades of burgundy, cream, and green. It forms a dense, low-growing carpet with spikes of blue flowers, offering a stunning display of color and texture.
- Growing & Care: Prefers moist, well-drained soils and can adapt to full sun or partial shade. It's a vigorous grower, so regular monitoring and controlling its spread are important to prevent it from overrunning other plants.
- Tips for New Gardeners: A great choice for beginners due to its hardiness and low maintenance. Perfect for adding vibrant ground cover or edging. Be mindful of its spreading habit and trim back as needed to maintain desired shape and size.
Ajuga reptans Burgundy glow is commonly known simply as Burgundy glow or Bugleweed, and is a popular garden plant; often seen in planters or used as ground cover.
Burgundy glow plants grow well in US hardiness zones four through 11 (UK hardiness H7 – hardy even at temperatures below – 20°C (- 4°F)).
Ajuga reptans Burgundy Glow makes a fantastic ground coverage plant, image by Jerzy Opioła; CC.
The leaves of the burgundy glow are a variegated deep green, pink, and purple (burgundy), and in the spring, carry a delicate blue flowers blossom.
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' photograph by Cob Lands.
These plants are relatively small, growing to only about 6 inches tall (15 cm), with a 6 to 12 inch spread (15 to 30 cm).
The flowers, however, grow on tall spikes, reaching about half a foot (15 cm) above the plant itself.
The leaves and flowers of this creeping perennial are quite dense, so burgundy glow is an excellent choice for filling blank spaces and for out-competing weeds.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Bugle Burgundy Glow
Although these plants are tolerant of a wide variety of sunlight conditions and can grow in both full sun or deep shade, the best colors will be achieved by planting them in areas that receive partial sunlight.
Too much sun can often cause the colors of the Ajuga reptans burgundy glow to fade.
Burgundy Glow in bloom, image by Ghislain118 See also (AD) http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net; CC.
Bugle Burgundy Glow should be planted in soil that remains moist but drains well. Soil that stays quite wet can cause root rot and other health issues.
Because it's so low to the ground, Ajuga reptans is susceptible to crown rot. Keeping overcrowding to a minimum by spacing plants apart and ensuring that each plant has enough airflow can help to reduce this issue.
The leaves of Bugleweed Burgundy Glow are very attractive, photograph by David J. Stang; CC.
These plants grow quickly, but they can be trimmed after they flower. Dead flowers should also be removed.
Extra plants can be propagated from the division of rooted stems.
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Ajuga reptans Burgundy Glow Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Ajuga reptans Burgundy Glow.
- Common Name: Bugle burgundy glow.
- Growing Zone: USA: 3 to 9, UK: H7.
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Herbaceous, Perennial.
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 3 to 6.
- Plant Spread (Inches): 24 to 36.
- Time of Bloom: Mid spring to Mid summer.
- Flower Details: Blue.
- Leaf Foliage: Green, Purple, Silvery, Variegated.
- Fruit:
- Growth Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: shade to partial shade partial sun.
- Rate of Growth: Average pace.
- Suitable Soil Types: Adaptable, Clay, Loamy, Sandy, Well drained.
- Soil Moisture: Moist.
Caring Conditions
- Care:
- Level of Maintenance: Low.
- Propagation: Division, separating rooted stems.
- How to Prune: Not usually required.
- Pests: Usually pest free.
- Diseases: Subject to powdery mildews.
Further Information
- Can Attract:
- Tolerant of: Rabbit, Deer, Black Walnut.
- Best Garden Use: Border, Container, Ground cover, En masse , Rock garden, Woodland garden.
- Family: Lamiaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Basil, Deadnettle, Lavender, Mint, Perilla, Sage, Thyme.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Ajuga reptans Burgundy Glow. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Salvia officinalis and Perovskia plants.
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