ajuga varieties

Why Choose Ajuga for Your Garden?

Ajuga has earned its place in New Zealand gardens for good reason. This hardy perennial grows vigorously in both sun and shade, forming a mat of leaves that suppresses weeds and reduces the need for ongoing maintenance. From spring through summer, many varieties burst into bloom, adding a haze of brilliant colour. With a fantastic range of leaf shapes, colours, and growth habits, Ajuga varieties offer versatility for mass planting, borders, containers, or even vertical spaces.

Popular Ajuga Varieties

Ajuga offers gardeners a wealth of options, each with unique character and garden uses. Here are some standout Ajuga varieties cherished by landscapers and home gardeners alike:

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

For dramatic impact, Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' is hard to beat. With its broad, glossy leaves and large spikes of deep blue flowers, this variety quickly forms a dense, weed-suppressing carpet. It’s a top pick for larger spaces, shaded areas beneath trees, and adding a stately feel to mixed borders.

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

If you favour a bolder statement, Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' is a must-see. Renowned for its deep purple flowers and dark, almost black foliage, it adds a moody, modern edge to groundcover plantings. It also performs well in part shade — perfect for woodland gardens or accent planting under shrubs.

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

Compact and low-growing, Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' features slender leaves in rich shades of brown-purple, forming tidy mats that are perfect for edging or small spaces. Its brilliant blue flower spikes shine in late spring, making it ideal for rockeries or path borders.

Ajuga reptans variegata

For gardeners wanting something a little different, Ajuga reptans variegata brings a pop of cream and green to the landscape. This variety boasts attractive variegated foliage that brightens shady corners while retaining Ajuga’s vigorous, low-maintenance nature.

Ajuga reptans

The classic Ajuga reptans remains a favourite Ajuga variety for its reliability and adaptability. With dense, broad leaves and striking blue flower spikes, it’s a superb groundcover option for difficult sites and complements native and mixed plantings in New Zealand gardens.

Growing and Caring for Ajuga Varieties

Ajuga varieties excel in moist, well-drained soils but are remarkably forgiving, tolerating both sun and shade and a wide range of soil types. Their spreading habit means they’ll quickly fill in bare areas and require only minimal maintenance — occasional watering, a light trim after flowering, and division every few years to stay vigorous.

With their endless garden uses, beautiful colours, and all-season appeal, Ajuga varieties are proof that low-care planting can be both practical and breathtaking. Explore our outstanding Ajuga selection, and discover how these groundcover champions can transform your garden.