Chocolate Chip Ajuga | Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’
A cheerful pop of color tucked between pavers in walkways or along slopes or harder to mow areas, Chocolate Chip Ajuga is a perfect groundcover. Also known as carpet bulge, this dwarf plant reaches only 2 – 3 inches tall and is 6 – 9 inches wide. Rich indigo flowers bloom along flower spikes in the spring and early summer. These fragrant blooms are set against a backdrop of small glossy leaves mixed in color from deep copper to burgundy to dark green, giving the plant a chocolaty appearance. This showy groundcover plant also looks great as a filler in containers and beds.
Chocolate Chip Ajuga is a perennial native to Europe. It is a great choice around the landscape because it is so easy to care for. Since it only reaches a height of 2 – 3 inches, it does not need to be trimmed or mowed except once yearly after its flowers’ fade to trim back the old blooms to help refresh its appearance. It grows in a wide range of climates in zones 4 – 9. It is considered a creeping plant, so it will spread to fill its area over time but can be divided or relocated if needed.
Plant Chocolate Chip Ajuga in early spring after the threat of frost has passed. If mass planting, give each plant 8 to 15 inches of space. In more humid environments, plants should be spaced farther apart for optimal air circulation. Plant the crown even with or just above the soil level to protect it from water pooling around it. Loosen the root ball to encourage the roots to spread, firm the dirt around the new plant, and water to remove air pockets and to settle the plant into place. A layer of mulch will protect the roots and reduce weeds while the plant establishes.
Chocolate Chip Ajuga grows best in partial sun, which makes it ideal for under trees and shrubs, but it also does well in just about any level of sunlight. It also adapts well to just about any soil type, including clay, sand, loam, and chalk. It is very hardy, resisting disease, pests, rabbits, and deer. It doesn’t need fertilizing except if the soil is very poor quality. It has average water needs and can be treated much like a wildflower. Typically, a deep watering once a week is sufficient to keep this plant healthy during the warmer months, and it can be watered less frequently in cooler months.
Chocolate Chip Ajuga is a beautiful plant that pairs well with just about anything from ornamental grasses to flowering plants to shrubs. Pair it with Dwarf Fountain Grass for a contrast of light and dark foliage or Purple Fountain Grass for similar chocolaty tones. Combine it with Little Quick Fire Hydrangea for contrasting foliage and bloom color that complement the bronze tones of the ajuga, or the vibrant Lemon Yellow Coneflower for a pop of color to really create a lovely contrast. Since it has a shallow root system, it works well as a groundcover under trees with shallow roots, such as the Cherokee Princess Dogwood. This beautiful, easy-to-grow plant covers in flowers and is perfect as an accent or groundcover across the landscape.
Ordering
Our processing time usually is 1-3 days after receiving the order. Orders taken after 4:00 pm on Wednesday through Sunday will be shipped the following Monday.
Shipping
The Plant Factory, Inc. offers the very best shipping processes to ensure quick, safe, and near-perfect results every time. Cold and heat may deter your order temporality until it is safe to receive and plant your plants/trees in your area. At our discretion, we will hold order until the threat is gone, ensuring you with the healthiest and most viable product ordered.
Summer- Above 95 degrees | Winter- Below 34 degrees.
Plant Highlights
- Growing Zone: 4 – 10
- Plant Brand: The Plant Factory Choice
- Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’
- Foliage Color: Copper, Burgundy, and Dark Green
- Flower Color: Purple-Blue
- Flower Fragrance: Sweet Scent
- Fall Color: Copper, Burgundy, and Dark Green
- Type: Perennial Evergreen
- Mature Height: 2 – 3 inches
- Mature Width: 6 – 9 inches
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
- Soil Needs: Widely Adaptable
- Water Needs: Average
- Pruning Needs: Trim or mow after flowering ends
- Awards: N/A
- Grown by: The Plant Factory
- Pollinator Friendly: Yes
- Deer Resistant: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Reblooming: No
- Cold and Heat Tolerant: Yes
Note: We put pictures and videos on our site to best represent our products, as an example of our quality as a grower. You may, however, receive a smaller or larger plant than pictured, depending on the season you buy. You may or may not get a plant blooming as shown on our site. We usually trim off blooms because they do not ship well. Your purchase of our plants should be considered an investment in your future garden to enjoy growing to its full potential.
Why The Plant Factory, Inc is a good choice?
Our plants are grown at our nursery. Our experienced staff use the best horticultural practices to ensure our plants are of the utmost health and quality. We select your plants as if we were buying them ourselves. Our standard goals are to exceed our customers’ expectations. We pride ourselves for great “out of the box” experiences with hassle-free customer service and quick resolutions.
