Pink Lightning Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Pink Lightning')
ah-JEW-gah REP-tanz 'Pink Lightning'

Evergreen Perennial Low Spreading in the Lamiaceae Family
 
 
Available May 7
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 10 4" pots Field $38.75
 
Crinkly mint-green leaves are lined in white variegation on their edges. Mauve pink blooms draw in hummingbirds.

Ever heard the phrase “too much of a good thing?” 

 

Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed to us laypeople) is a beautiful, 3” tall groundcover that is hardy, evergreen, attracts pollinators, and puts out beautiful cones of flowers for a few months each spring.? Quiet and stealthy, it can spread into your lawn and other areas of the garden if not kept in check. 

 

Ajuga is an amazing addition to rock gardens, walkways, and wetter areas. It's tough and once established after a few years, it is an aggressive grower that can withstand almost anything you throw at it. That being said…even deer and rabbits don’t like this stuff. Ajuga forms a dense mat of roots that will smother other plants in its path, and can grow almost anywhere. If you’re looking for a super-tough, resilient, tiny and beautiful beast of a groundcover, Ajuga will not disappoint. If you’re looking for something that “plays nice…” might we recommend a well-behaved alternative?

Pros

  • Thrives in part shade to full sun
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Will grow in most soil and moisture conditions
  • Stays low, making it an excellent alternative to grass
  • Attracts pollinators
  • Will grow in gardens, yards, planters, probably a hot asphalt road…

Cons

  • Likes to grow and grow and grow, sometimes even where you don’t want it
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 6 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Colorful Foliage, Container, Deer Resistant, Edging, Evergreen, Extended Bloom Time, Fall Color, For a Shady Spot, Full Shade, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Groundcover, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Medium, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Spillers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Variegated Foliage, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period May to June
Flower Color Pink
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!