Ajuga 'Caitlin Giant' is a striking large leaved bugleweed with a lush spreading habit and tall spring flower spikes in vivid blue violet. The crinkled bronze purple foliage adds strong color and texture even when not in bloom. It excels in mass plantings, beneath trees, or as a bold foil to bright flowering perennials in partial shade.
Height & Spread: 4 - 8 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
Light Requirements: Part sun to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, rich soils preferred but adaptable
Watering Needs: Moderate
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
This cultivar originates from Ajuga reptans, a European species, and is cultivated for ornamental and ground cover use in shade gardens.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Provides nectar to spring emerging bumblebees, sweat bees, and carpenter bees.
Butterflies
- Offers spring nectar for hairstreaks, blues, and other small woodland butterflies.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart for robust coverage and dramatic foliage impact.
Landscape Placement
- Great in shade borders, courtyard gardens, and as a bold accent under trees where color and ground cover are both needed.
Companion Plants
- Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) - Upright, fine leafed companion to contrast bold foliage forms.
- Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy' - Silver foliage and white blooms brighten up shady groupings.
- Astilbe chinensis 'Visions in Pink' - Delicate flower plumes offer contrast in texture and bloom shape.
- Hosta 'Sum and Substance' - Giant chartreuse leaves contrast with dark textured Ajuga foliage.
- Heuchera 'Obsidian' - Offers rich dark foliage with glossy finish and compact flower spikes.