How to grow bugleweed.
Can carpet bugle grow under a maple tree.
First of all trees create a rain shadow where it is always drier beneath a tree.
Once established this tough plant needs little care and is also hard to eradicate.
However when placed in strategic locations its quick growth and mat forming trait can provide instant coverage with only a few plants.
How to plant under maple trees.
Trailing rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system.
Secondly some trees such as maples poplars and willow have heavy feeder roots that rest near the surface making it virtually impossible to grow let alone even dig a hole for planting.
Fast growing ajuga reptans bronze beauty carpet bugle is a vigorous perennial prized for its rich blue flowers and contrasting bronze tinged leaves which quickly form a dense mat of attractive rosettes.
As most maple species are large trees under planting species should be chosen for complementary characteristics such a shade tolerance preference for moist and acidic soil as well as to complement and contrast the appearance of the tree.
Plant bugleweed in an area where air circulation is good spacing the plants about 1 foot apart.
Others revile it because it climbs literally everything it touches and can be invasive unless carefully controlled.
Tough adaptable bugleweed ajuga reptans hardy in u s.
Most maple trees have shallow aggressive roots.
Evergreen in most regions it is perfect for planting between stepping stones or in wall crevices.
Growing anything under trees can be difficult.
Thick leathery lobed leaves grow from running stems that root where they touch the ground forming a thick carpet 6 12 inches high.
Bugleweed is a low growing ground cover usually staying under 6 inches.
Ajuga ground cover spreads through runners and as a member of the mint family it can get out of control without proper care.
If you dig into the soil more than a few.
Standing 6 inches tall and spreading by runners deer resistant bugle comes in colorful cultivars such as the almost black mahogany and the burgundy and white splashed burgundy glow.
Under planting can also increase the planting acreage making use of otherwise dull or lost space.
To shear back a large area of bugleweed use a lawnmower set to a high blade height.
These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil.
Planting under maple trees acer spp is a challenge for several reasons.
It is a trailing rooting ground cover.
Carpet bugle ajuga reptans toots its own horn with spikes of blue flowers in spring and early summer.
