Ajuga Reptans 'Burgundy Glow'

Bugleweed / Burgundy Glow Ajuga

Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Europe and Western Asia (garden cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial groundcover

Overview

A colourful, low-growing groundcover valued for its vibrant, variegated foliage and deep blue flower spikes in spring. Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ forms a dense mat of rounded leaves marbled in shades of burgundy, cream, and green, adding rich colour and texture to shaded and semi-shaded parts of the garden. Hardy and adaptable, it performs well in Adelaide’s cooler, temperate zones and sheltered coastal areas—ideal for mass planting, edging, underplanting, or use between pavers where moisture is retained.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.1–0.15 m H × 0.3–0.6 m W (spreading by runners)
• Growth Rate: 10–20 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Rounded, variegated leaves in burgundy, cream, pink, and green tones; evergreen in mild SA winters, semi-evergreen in colder areas
• Flowers: Short spikes of deep blue to violet blooms in mid to late spring, occasionally reblooming lightly in autumn
• Seasonal Interest: Colourful foliage year-round with vibrant blue flowers in spring; rich ground-level texture in shaded or semi-shaded garden areas
• Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and pollinating insects when in flower; dense mat provides shelter for small beneficial ground insects
• Tolerance: Moderate drought tolerance once established (best with occasional summer watering in Adelaide’s dry heat); Tolerates light frost and cool winters; Prefers sheltered coastal and temperate locations (avoid exposed, dry sites)
• Planting Density: Groundcover: 6–9 plants per m² for full coverage; Edging: 20–30 cm apart for a soft, continuous border
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs; safe for shaded family gardens

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Part shade to full shade (morning sun or filtered light ideal); avoid prolonged hot, direct sun in summer
• Soil: Moist, well-drained loam or sandy loam enriched with organic matter; avoid prolonged dryness or waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–10 weeks. Established: deep soak every week in summer; reduce in cooler months; mulch to retain soil moisture
• Maintenance: Trim or mow lightly after flowering to maintain a neat, compact mat. Remove old flower spikes and damaged leaves. Apply compost or slow-release fertiliser in spring. Divide clumps every 2–3 years to maintain vigour.
• Lifespan: 5–10+ years in suitable conditions; easy to renew or propagate from runners
• Climate Zones: Best suited to temperate and Mediterranean regions of South Australia—especially Adelaide Hills, southern suburbs, and shaded coastal gardens
• Soil pH: Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil; adaptable to mild alkalinity if well-drained

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Shady borders and underplanting beneath trees or shrubs
• Mass planting for weed suppression and ground coverage
• Between pavers or stepping stones in part-shade courtyards
• Mixed shade gardens with ferns, hellebores, and hostas
• Container plantings for patios and shaded entrances

Why You Will Love It

A lush, easy-care groundcover with stunning variegated foliage and rich blue flowers, Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ brings colour and texture to shaded Adelaide gardens. Hardy yet elegant, it’s perfect for cooling understorey plantings and waterwise, low-maintenance landscapes across South Australia.