Ajuga reptans Purple Torch
€4,90
Ajuga reptans Purple Torch is a popular, low-growing groundcover plant known for its dark green leaves that shift to bronze in winter and the profusion of lilac blooms in the summer.
Ajuga reptans Purple Torch is valued for its lilac flowers that stand above the bright green carpet.
In late spring to early summer, it produces spikes of small, tubular lilac flowers that add vibrant color to the garden - adored by butterflies and bees.
Low-maintenance and easy to grow, Ajuga reptans Purple Torch requires minimal care and provides maximum, year-round interest for your garden.
It is drought tolerant but does prefer a cool soil - its favorite hiding place is beneath large tree canopies or near some afternoon shade.
Learn more about gardening with the Ajuga family:
There are tales that it can be infused in a tea form and used to deal with respiratory tract troubles - however I have read that this happens only in Austrian traditional medicine and there is only one 19th century medicine book that confirms (other books claim it aids with intestinal troubles) this so .... proceed with caution!
Ajuga reptans is also a somewhat-common foraging sight in many places where it grows.
They are edible raw in small numbers, however as the leaves get old, they also get more bitter.
They are also quite bitter when they are young so this is not a salad for everyone.
If it likes its environment, Ajuga can spread aggressively, so it may need some monitoring or containment in certain regions.
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Flowering
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May, June
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Flower Color
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Lilac
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Exposure
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Full Sun, Half Sun/Half Shade
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Frost Tolerance
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-25°C to -30°C
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Soil
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Any, Cool
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Gardening Tips:
If it likes its environment, Ajuga can spread aggressively, so it may need some monitoring or containment in certain regions.
The Botany:
The Myths:
The Tale & The Botany: Ajuga reptans Atropurpurea
Bugle is a primary nectar source of the pearl-bordered fritillary and the small pearl-bordered fritillary.
And if you REALLY now your butterflies - it is an important (secondary) nectar source for the brimstone, chequered skipper, common blue, cryptic wood white, dingy skipper, Duke of Burgundy, green-veined white, grizzled skipper, heath fritillary, holly blue, large blue, large skipper, large white, marsh fritillary, orange-tip, painted lady, small white, and wood white butterflies.
