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purple ajuga

Purple ajuga is a striking and versatile ground cover, renowned for its vibrant foliage and captivating blue-purple flower spikes. Perfect for New Zealand gardens, this low-growing perennial brings colour, texture, and weed-suppressing ability to a wide variety of planting situations. Whether you’re landscaping under trees, edging pathways, or creating a living carpet in shaded beds, purple ajuga is a hardy, reliable choice. Its fast growth habit and adaptability make it a favourite among gardeners seeking low-maintenance groundcovers with eye-catching appeal.

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

5 from 1 customers

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower spikes in spring. This robust variety performs exceptionally well in New Zealand gardens and is ideal for fast ground coverage, borders, and underplanting.

From $18.63

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 25 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern
fraxinus-purple-spire-2

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire'

5 from 1 customers

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple and burgundy tones. This attractive shade tree is ideal for New Zealand gardens where space is limited but strong vertical structure is desired.

From $387.55

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
acer-nigrum-
Acer platanoides Nigrum

Acer platanoides 'Nigrum' is a striking deciduous tree valued for its large deep purple foliage and impressive shade creating canopy. The richly...

From$299.95
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$99.95
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

From$17.95
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.
Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$10.95
fagus-dawyck-purple-2
Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple, commonly known as the Purple Beech tree, is grown for its beautiful colours and slender growth habit. The foliage...

From$270.40
leptinella-pusilla-
Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla is a low growing evergreen groundcover valued for its delicate fern like foliage and ability to form a dense carpet of greenery...

From$12.95
werauhia-sanguinolenta-
Werauhia sanguinolenta

This variety of Bromeliad is grown for its amazingly coloured foliage. It features green leaves with a purple undertone, and dark purple on the leaf...

From$31.67
Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch' purple-pink flowers and variegated foliage.
Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch'

Bougainvillea ‘Purple Patch’ is a dazzling climbing plant that delivers an abundance of rich purple bracts through the warmer months. Perfect for...

From$30.29
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

From$270.40
mesembryanthemum-purple-splendour--2
Mesembryanthemum Purple Splendour

“Purple Splendour” is a variety of the commonly known, Iceplant, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its spreading nature and pretty flowers. It...

From$22.01
Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.
Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a stunning evergreen climber prized for its thick glossy foliage and clusters of richly coloured star shaped flowers...

From$20.63
Ajuga reptans 'Purpurea' plants.
Ajuga reptans purpurea

Ajuga reptans ‘Purpurea’ is a bold, low-growing groundcover with rich bronze-purple foliage and vibrant blue flower spikes in spring. Reaching 10–15...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga 'Metallica Crispa' plants with glossy, dark green foliage.
Ajuga 'Metallica Crispa'

Ajuga 'Metallica Crispa' is a striking ground cover featuring metallic bronze purple foliage with beautifully crinkled texture. This hardy and low...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' plants with elegant blue flowers and lush green leaves growing as a ground cover.
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' (Carpet Bugle) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy green leaves flushed with bronze and its...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch' pink flowers above dark green foliage with a purple overtone.
Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch'

Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch' is a striking ground cover that lights up shaded NZ gardens with its rich purple flower spikes and deep green foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' plants as an effective ground cover.
Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' is a compact groundcover prized for its narrow, glossy bronze-purple leaves and vibrant blue flower spikes in spring. Growing...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga reptans growing as a ground cover and featuring masses of blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans

Ajuga reptans, commonly known as Bugleweed, Common Bugle, or Carpet Bugle, forms a spreading mound of dark green leaves which often take on bronze...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga 'Silver Carpet' variegated foliage below elegant blue flowers.
Ajuga 'Silver Carpet'

Ajuga 'Silver Carpet' is a standout ground cover admired for its soft silver toned foliage and tidy, low growing habit. This hardy variety spreads...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga reptans 'Multicolour' plants with variegated cream, green, and purple-red leaves with blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans 'Multicolour'

Ajuga reptans 'Multicolour' brings a tapestry of vibrant foliage shades to NZ gardens, with tones of green, bronze, cream, and rose blending through...

OUT OF STOCK
Hoheria 'Purple Wave' foliage with green leaves and purple undersides.
Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave'

Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave', commonly known as Purple Lacebark, is a quick-growing, small, NZ native tree that features colourful foliage. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' rich purple foliage.
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie'

Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' produces rich purple foliage, which is held densely off near prostrate stems. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and 1.2 m...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga Pink Beauty pink foliage.
Ajuga 'Pink Beauty'

Ajuga 'Pink Beauty' is an attractive evergreen groundcover valued for its glossy green foliage and soft pink flower spikes that appear in spring...

OUT OF STOCK
boronia-purple-jared-4
Boronia Purple Jared

Boronia 'Purple Jared' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its masses of richly coloured purple flowers and fine aromatic foliage. The highly...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

OUT OF STOCK
Mangave 'Purple People Eater' plant with purple leaves.
Mangave Purple People Eater

Mangave Purple People Eater is an impressive succulent that features a rosette of thick, purple leaves with a blue-green undertone. They are leathery...

OUT OF STOCK
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' plant covered in purple flowers.
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' (Purple Rock Cress)

Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' is a beautiful low growing perennial that produces masses of vivid purple flowers in early spring. The colourful blooms...

OUT OF STOCK
Hoheria 'Purple Lace' trees for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Hoheria sextylosa 'Purple Lace' (Purple Lacebark)

Hoheria sextylosa 'Purple Lace' features young leaves that emerge purple and become dark green with age. The foliage is held densely on slender...

OUT OF STOCK
Bougainvillea 'Pretty Purple' flowers.
Bougainvillea 'Pretty Purple'

Bougainvillea ‘Pretty Purple’ is a dazzling climber that produces masses of vibrant purple bracts over many months, bringing tropical colour and...

OUT OF STOCK
Buddleia 'Royal Purple' purple flower spike.
Buddleia 'Royal Purple'

Buddleia ‘Royal Purple’ is a popular deciduous shrub renowned for its deep purple flower spikes and strong summer fragrance. Flowering over a long...

OUT OF STOCK
callistemon-purple-splendens-
Callistemon 'Purple Splendens'

Callistemon 'Purple Splendens' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich deep purple red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into...

OUT OF STOCK
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Acer, and Ajuga, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, and Groundcover Plants.

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Why Choose Purple Ajuga for Your Garden?

Purple ajuga stands out for its deeply hued leaves, which can range from dusky eggplant to rich burgundy, depending on the variety and season. During spring and early summer, it bursts into bloom with dramatic spikes of violet-blue flowers, adding a beautiful contrast to its foliage. This combination makes purple ajuga an excellent choice for brightening up dark or tricky corners in your garden.

Ajuga thrives in partial shade but can tolerate sun if the soil stays moist. It’s drought-resistant once established and highly effective at stabilising soil on banks and slopes. As a ground cover, it spreads gradually through shallow runners, leaving little room for weeds while providing vital habitat for beneficial insects.

Top Varieties of Purple Ajuga

There are several standout varieties of purple ajuga, each with their own unique leaf shapes, colours, and growth habits. Some popular selections available through our nursery include:

Planting and Caring for Purple Ajuga

Purple ajuga is incredibly easy to grow in New Zealand conditions. Plant in moist, well-draining soil with access to part shade for best leaf colour. It adapts well to clay, loam, and sandy soils, and once established, can handle periods of dryness. Simply water in during dry spells and keep an eye out for crown rot in overly wet areas.

Maintenance is minimal: prune back spent flower spikes to encourage fresh growth, and divide clumps every few years to keep your ground cover looking its best. Purple ajuga tolerates foot traffic, making it a practical choice for planting between stepping stones or along garden borders.

Elevate Your Landscape with Purple Ajuga

For gardeners seeking a bold foliage statement and reliable, weed-resistant coverage, purple ajuga delivers. Its versatility and low-maintenance nature make it a staple in cottage gardens, woodland settings, modern landscapes, and everything in between. Find your perfect variety—whether it’s Ajuga 'Catlins Giant', Ajuga reptans purpurea, Ajuga 'Metallica Crispa', Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty', or Ajuga reptans 'Purple Torch'—in our nursery collection to transform your outdoor spaces with enduring purple beauty.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Schefflera arboricola and Gardenia radicans have stood the test of time, but new generations of gardeners are discovering Hoheria sextylosa (Lacebark), Laurus nobilis angustifolia, and Hemerocallis 'Kents Favourite'.
–The Plant Company

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