Ajuga reptans ‘Purple Torch’

Ajuga reptans ‘Purple Torch’ is a popular, low-growing groundcover plant known for its dark green leaves that shift to bronze in winter and the profusion of lilac blooms in the summer.

The ‘Purple Torch’ cultivar of Ajuga reptans is valued for its lilac flowers that stand above the bright green carpet.

In late spring to early summer, it produces spikes of small, tubular lilac flowers that add vibrant color to the garden – adored by butterflies and bees.

Low-maintenance and easy to grow, Ajuga ‘Atropurpurea’ requires minimal care and provides maximum, year-round interest for your garden.

It is drought tolerant but does prefer a cool soil – its favorite hiding place is beneath large tree canopies or near some afternoon shade.

Nota bene: If it likes its environment, Ajuga can spread aggressively, so it may need some monitoring or containment in certain regions.

The Tale

Bugle is a primary nectar source of the pearl-bordered fritillary and the small pearl-bordered fritillary.

And if you REALLY now your butterflies – it is an important (secondary) nectar source for the brimstone, chequered skipper, common blue, cryptic wood white, dingy skipper, Duke of Burgundy, green-veined white, grizzled skipper, heath fritillary, holly blue, large blue, large skipper, large white, marsh fritillary, orange-tip, painted lady, small white, and wood white butterflies.

There are tales that it can be infused in a tea form and used to deal with respiratory tract troubles  – however I have read that this happens only in Austrian traditional medicine and there is only one 19th century medicine book that confirms this (other books claim it aids with intestinal troubles) so …. proceed with caution!

Other Names

Carpet Bugleweed

Dark Purple Bugleweed

Origin

Europe