Ajuga reptans
bugleweed
lamiaceaeBlue, white, or pink flowers; green,
variegated, or purple leaves
6–9 in. (2 in.) high; 24 in. wide
Full sun or part shade
Blooms May–June
Zones 4–9
pruning Deadheading prevents
excessive seeding and improves the
overall appearance of the plant. Hedge
shears or a weed whacker can be used
for large plantings. Plants usually can
even tolerate occasional, but not
repeated, mowing. Cut back runners
drastically whenever necessary to keep
plant from spreading too far. Thinning
of plants can reduce the incidence of
crown rot; if plants are infected, prune
out diseased sections. Plants are
evergreen; do not prune for winter.
Deadleafing may be required to cleanup plants a bit in the spring or occa-
sionally through the growing season.
other maintenance Invasive
groundcover, but fairly easily pulled to
keep under control in gardens; avoid
spread into turf areas. Unwanted
seedlings are best removed when
young. Crown rot is a significant
problem, particularly in southern
gardens. Plant in areas with good air
circulation and divide every 2–3 yearsto help reduce the problem. Tolerates
poor soil.
related plantS Purple-leaved
forms hold up best against both cold
and heat, except for Ajuga reptans
‘Catlin’s Giant’, which gets battered by
0°F temperatures. ‘Burgundy Glow’, a
silver variegated form, is often killed
by cold. ‘Cristata’ holds up very well,
even in harsh winters.
Ajuga pyramidalis, upright bugle-
weed, is more upright than A. reptans
and is slower spreading. Will seed
strongly; deadhead to reduce the
problem.Alcea rosea
hollyhock
malvaceaeSpiked single or double flowers
in a wide range of colors; large,
palmate, coarse leaves
3–8 ft. high; 3–4 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms June–August
Zones 3–8
pruning Biennial hollyhocks act
perennial in nature if they are dead-
headed and then cut down to new basal
foliage as soon as all flowering is
completed. Flowers from the bottom of
the spike open first. Deadhead plants
to lateral buds when the seed capsules
(on the bottom half) outnumber the
new flowers (on the tip). Plants
frequently seed if not deadheaded;
leave the seedheads if that is the
desired way to perpetuate the plant in
the garden. Deadleafing is needed to
remove yellowing leaves, starting in
June, and leaves damaged by Japanese
beetles or rust. Destroy rust-infested
leaves. Cut out all old flowering stems
and old basal leaves to expose clean
basal foliage in late summer when
flowering is completed. The plants look
so horrendous by this time that such
pruning can be a welcome relief. The
new foliage holds up well into the
winter and may remain semi-
evergreen under consistent snow cover
or in mild winters. Remove any
winter-damaged leaves in the spring.
Tall-growing forms can be cut downAjuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’