Ground pine
Ajuga chamaepitys · Lamiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant ground pine: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Yellow bugle
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Plant type
- Perennial herb
- Adult size
- 10 to 30 cm tall
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- April to June, yellow flowers
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -15°C
- Exposure
- Sunny to partial shade
- Origin
- Mediterranean and central Europe
Care
Exposure and environment
Install yellow bugle in full sun or partial shade, on soil that receives direct rays for part of the day. It appreciates warm and dry areas, typical of garrigues and calcareous grasslands. Avoid areas that are too shaded, as growth would be slowed.
Soil and drainage
This plant prefers light, calcareous or neutral soil, well-drained and poor. It tolerates overly rich or constantly damp soils poorly. Dry or rocky terrain is ideal and limits watering needs.
Watering
Once established, yellow bugle is very frugal with water and makes do with natural rainfall. Water moderately during the growing season (spring) and reduce drastically in summer and winter. Avoid stagnant moisture, which promotes rot.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is strictly necessary. You can remove spent flowers after blooming to encourage new flowering and maintain a compact habit. Remove dried or diseased parts in autumn.
Fertilization
This plant requires virtually no fertilizer. Impoverished soil suits it better than overly rich soil. A light amendment with well-decomposed compost every two or three years is more than enough.
Pests and diseases
Yellow bugle is rarely prone to disease when well-drained. Excess moisture can promote root or fungal rot. Ensure optimal drainage and good air circulation to prevent any problems.
Did you know?
Yellow bugle owes its common name to its small, finely cut leaves resembling those of pine, even though it has no relation to the conifer. In the past, this plant was used in folk phytotherapy for its presumed tonic properties, although these traditional uses are not scientifically validated. It remains a melliferous plant appreciated by bees and pollinating insects.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- SageSalvia officinalis
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.