Ajuga okay?

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captKirkS Jackson, MS Apr 18, 2014

I planted three little Bronze Ajuga a year ago and they thrived in this very shady spot beneath the tree. However, after a harsh Mississippi Winter (not as harsh as most places in the country), they just look so scarcely. These were tiny 99 cent plants that quickly spread to 18" in just a few months. My dream is that they will cover the entire area and that I will have to beat them back to keep them from taking over the yard. However, they are looking like they are barely surviving compared to last year.

Am I just being pessimistic and impatient? Will they regain their full coverage of the area the 18" area they covered last year?

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Apr 18, 2014

Are the lighter colored leaves new growth on the Ajuga? Looks like it. I think the Ajuga is doing well. Perhaps other winters will be milder, and there will be less die-back, and faster recovery.
Every so often, though, there will be winters that are colder, and plants will freeze that do not normally have a problem.

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captKirkS Jackson, MS Apr 19, 2014

Okay, thanks.
The round, lighter colored leaves are another, wild ground cover that I've been digging-up.
That's good to know.

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vossner East Texas, United States(Zone 8a) Apr 19, 2014

It will come back as it warms up and as it builds into a thick groundcover it will stand harsh weather even better

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Apr 21, 2014

Keep removing the other plant as that being a wild form (here we call it creeping buttercup) anyway it will soon crowed out the Ajuga.

After flowering is over on the Ajuga, remove the flowers and give a feed, a handful of blood-fish-bone-meal, that should help them recover and build up what they lost to the cold snap you've had.
Make sure they get a good drink of water because under the tree they are competing with a massive root system from the tree and believe me, the tree can grab any amount of moisture that falls to the ground.
At the end of the summer season, try spread a layer of either chopped up leaf mould or some compost and this will help the roots of the Ajuga get there own fine roots a blanket for the winter cold , I spread this layer by hand so as not to cover all the foliage on the Ajuga and it really does help.

I feel sure with a little TLC these plants will be fine, they have just came through a tough winter that being new plants, they were not used to, Lot's of plants have had the same bad spell the winter just by and nature really does try to keep them ticking over, we as gardeners just need to give an added boost.
Good luck and best Regards.
WeeNel.

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