Ajuga reptans 'Alba'

The Ajuga reptans 'Alba' is the white form of the creeping bugle, a very widespread perennial in the cool and shady habitats of our region. The plant forms an evergreen to semi-evergreen ground cover that spreads through rooting stems, eventually forming vast fields of dark green rounded leaves that take on bronze highlights over time. Its upright spikes of white flowers appear in spring, surprisingly clear against a backdrop of pretty leaves that adorn the garden in both winter and summer. Vigorous and floriferous, this variety will thrive in moist soil, sheltered from the scorching sun.

The Ajuga reptans is a perennial plant of the labiate family, very common in Europe, especially in its central and northern regions. It is also found in Western Asia and Algeria. Its habitat is typical of meadows and cool, grassy areas.

With rapid growth, the creeping bugle 'Alba' is distinguished by its upright white spikes of flowers. This plant roots itself through its runners and eventually forms a mat 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) in height, with a minimum diameter of 50 cm (20in). It develops rosettes of semi-evergreen to evergreen leaves, oblong, wavy and veined, in a dark green colour with a slightly metallic sheen. From the month of May, small spikes of flowers, no more than a few millimetres in size, appear above the foliage. These bilabiate flowers are pure white and are interspersed with small round leaves. They bloom for over a month. Towards the end of the season, the foliage darkens slightly.

The Ajuga reptans 'Alba' is a vigorous variety that will quickly cover the available soil. If it tends to escape the boundaries set for it, its growth is easily controlled by removing the wandering runners. Bugles are among the best ground cover plants; they are perfect for dressing the base of trees and bushes, in shaded beds in combination with spring bulbs (Snowdrops, hyacinths, crocuses) or Lamium with colorful foliage, Epimedium with graceful flowers and beautiful leaves, or Geranium macrorrhizum. They are good companions for hostas and shade-loving perennial geraniums. In cool rockeries, they can be planted next to Acaena 'Blue Haze' or buchananii, Azorella trifurcata 'Nana', lady's mantles, and saxifrages.