Can Carpet Bugle Grow Under A Maple Tree

Tough adaptable bugleweed ajuga reptans hardy in u s.

Can carpet bugle grow under a maple tree.

Growing anything under trees can be difficult. To shear back a large area of bugleweed use a lawnmower set to a high blade height. First of all trees create a rain shadow where it is always drier beneath a tree. Cut off the flower spikes in late summer after the flowers have faded.

Others revile it because it climbs literally everything it touches and can be invasive unless carefully controlled. It is a trailing rooting ground cover. Most maple trees have shallow aggressive roots. Evergreen in most regions it is perfect for planting between stepping stones or in wall crevices.

As most maple species are large trees under planting species should be chosen for complementary characteristics such a shade tolerance preference for moist and acidic soil as well as to complement and contrast the appearance of the tree. These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil. How to plant under maple trees. Ajuga ground cover spreads through runners and as a member of the mint family it can get out of control without proper care.

Secondly some trees such as maples poplars and willow have heavy feeder roots that rest near the surface making it virtually impossible to grow let alone even dig a hole for planting. Once established this tough plant needs little care and is also hard to eradicate. If you dig into the soil more than a few. Bugleweed is a low growing ground cover usually staying under 6 inches.

Fast growing ajuga reptans bronze beauty carpet bugle is a vigorous perennial prized for its rich blue flowers and contrasting bronze tinged leaves which quickly form a dense mat of attractive rosettes. Plant bugleweed in an area where air circulation is good spacing the plants about 1 foot apart. Standing 6 inches tall and spreading by runners deer resistant bugle comes in colorful cultivars such as the almost black mahogany and the burgundy and white splashed burgundy glow. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 can tolerate poor soil partial shade and even plant killing black walnut.

Planting under maple trees acer spp is a challenge for several reasons. Carpet bugle ajuga reptans toots its own horn with spikes of blue flowers in spring and early summer. However when placed in strategic locations its quick growth and mat forming trait can provide instant coverage with only a few plants. Under planting can also increase the planting acreage making use of otherwise dull or lost space.

Thick leathery lobed leaves grow from running stems that root where they touch the ground forming a thick carpet 6 12 inches high.