Perennial · Lamiaceae family
Bugle
Ajuga reptans
In short a 10-second read
Bugle (perennial) grows to 0.15–0.3 m tall and 0.15–0.3 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in April–June; the flowers are blue, purple or white. Hardy to −37 °C.
× spread 0.15–0.3 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −37 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, clay, sandy
Soil pH 5.5–7
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–June · blue, purple or white
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −37 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Bugle flower?
In April–June; the flowers are blue, purple or white.
Does Bugle tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does Bugle need?
At maturity 0.15–0.3 m wide and 0.15–0.3 m tall; recommended spacing 29 cm.
Does Bugle survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 23 expert sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (23)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Ajuga reptans
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Ajuga reptans
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Ajuga reptans
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Ajuga reptans
- Wikidata (CC0) — Ajuga reptans
- Bamberger Staudengarten (Strobler), katalóg
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- RHS Plant Finder
- Gärtnerei Strickler, katalóg
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Plantlust
- Walters Gardens (Perennial Resource)
- Monrovia
- Monrovia
- Kauri Park
- Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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