Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ is a compact, low growing groundcover perennial renowned for its rich chocolate brown foliage and small striking blue flower spikes. It’s an ideal plant for shaded gardens, adding a contrasting touch of color with its unique leaf texture and blooming in early spring to attract beneficial pollinators.
Height & Spread: 2 - 3 in x 1 - 2 ft
Bloom Time: Spring (April to May)
Light Requirements: Prefers part to full shade, though it can tolerate some morning sun
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil; adaptable to slightly acidic or neutral soil conditions
Watering Needs: Moderate, with even moisture being ideal; appreciates regular watering during dry spells
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant due to its bitter tasting foliage and dense growth
NATIVE STATUS
Not native to North America. It is a cultivar of Ajuga reptans, which is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. However, like many other Ajuga species, it has naturalized in North America, and it is widely used in gardens for its aesthetic and ecological qualities, especially in shaded or woodland garden settings.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Excellent nectar source for spring butterflies like the Common Blue and Spring Azure. Its blue flower spikes are particularly attractive to butterflies during the early spring months, offering them much needed nectar.
Bees
- The plant’s early blooming flowers attract honeybees and bumblebees. The dense flower spikes allow bees to easily land and collect nectar, supporting their populations during early spring when food sources are limited.
Beneficial Insects
- In addition to pollinators, ladybugs and lacewings are drawn, where they help control aphid populations, thus supporting a balanced ecosystem and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
SPACING & LANDSCAPE USE
Spacing Recommendations
- For optimal growth, space plants 12 - 18 inches apart. This allows them to fill in areas quickly while preventing overcrowding, which can hinder airflow and overall health.
Landscape Placement
- Excellent choice for shade gardens, woodland settings, under trees, or shaded borders. It works well as a groundcover to fill in empty spaces, provide contrast, or trail along the edges of pathways or garden beds.
COMPANION PLANTS
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Hosta (Blue Mouse Ears) - The small blue gray leaves contrast nicely with the dark chocolate brown Ajuga foliage.
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Heuchera (Caramel) - Warm golden tones provide an excellent contrast with Ajuga’s cool colored leaves.
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Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) - A native groundcover that will bloom alongside Ajuga and add delicate white flowers and airy texture.
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Fern (e.g., Dryopteris or Athyrium) - Provide soft, feathery texture that complements Ajuga’s bold foliage.
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Astilbe (Sprite) - Pink flowers that bloom in late spring will pair beautifully with the deep foliage and attract pollinators.
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Brunnera macrophylla (Jack Frost) - Silver foliage that adds a light contrast to the dark leaves of Ajuga.
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Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) - A low growing groundcover with chartreuse leaves that contrasts nicely with the deep colors of Ajuga.