Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant'

A low growing spreading evergreen perennial.

A great mat-forming perennial with dark purple obovate leaves, producing erect spikes consisting of six or more rings of dark blue flowers in late spring and early summer.

Performs best in shade but will also do well in a sunnier spot although it may scorch and wilt in particularly hot situations. It will also tolerate poor soils.

Easy plants to maintain as they require little ongoing maintenance. When plantings get too large they can be easily dug up and teased apart to make more plants. Ajuga put stolons out with little plants on the end, similar to strawberries, and these can be easily removed and replanted as they will already have their own roots. A general-purpose fertiliser can be applied each spring to boost growth. Older plantings may need refreshing with age. Mulch around plants annually to help with weed suppression and conserve moisture.

May suffer from powdery mildew in very hot weather.

Easily combined with other border plants or woodland plantings.

Urban Trees

The flowers are adapted for cross-fertilisation by bees, with lipped formations that contain nectar to attract bees to the base of long corollas.