Ajuga 'Mahogany'
Ajuga 'Mahogany' is a low growing evergreen perennial prized for its rich bronze mahogany foliage and vibrant blue flower spikes in spring. It forms a dense spreading carpet that adds year round color and texture to borders, woodland gardens, and shaded spaces while helping suppress weeds.
Height & Spread: 4 - 6 in x 12 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Average moist well drained soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture during establishment
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
Ajuga reptans is native to Europe and western Asia. 'Mahogany' is a cultivated ornamental selection valued for its distinctive foliage color, evergreen habit, and dependable groundcover performance.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Attracts native bees, bumblebees, and honeybees which visit the dense blue flower spikes for nectar and pollen in spring.
Butterflies
- Provides an early season nectar source for butterflies including skippers and Painted Ladies when many other plants are just beginning to bloom.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 12 - 18 in apart for quick coverage and a dense weed suppressing groundcover.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for shaded borders, woodland gardens, slopes, and beneath shrubs where its colorful foliage creates season long interest and fills open spaces.
Companion Plants
- Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (Siberian Bugloss) - Bright silver foliage creates striking contrast against the dark mahogany leaves.
- Heuchera 'Caramel' (Coral Bells) - Complements the warm foliage tones while adding mounded texture.
- Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' (Japanese Painted Fern) - Provides delicate silvery fronds that pair beautifully with the glossy foliage.
- Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) - Offers soft spring blooms and thrives in similar woodland conditions.
- Hosta 'June' (Plantain Lily) - Adds bold variegated foliage that contrasts with the low spreading habit.