Ajuga Princess Nadia

Description

Ajuga ‘Princess Nadia’ – variegated bugle

Botanical name: Ajuga reptans ‘Princess Nadia’
Common names: Bugle, carpet bugle
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Plant type: Evergreen perennial
Habit: Low, mat-forming and spreading
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 10–15cm tall in flower × 30–45cm spread
Foliage: Variegated leaves in pink, cream and green, deepening in cool weather; evergreen
Flowers: Spikes of blue flowers, spring to early summer (April–June)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Most soils; moist but not waterlogged; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; tolerant
Native range: Species native to Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people, cats and dogs

Ajuga ‘Princess Nadia’ is a spreading evergreen bugle with striking pink, cream and green variegated leaves that deepen in colour through cool weather, topped in spring by spikes of blue flowers. It makes colourful, weed-suppressing groundcover for sun or partial shade.

GardenAdvice notes

A mat-forming evergreen perennial in the mint family, ‘Princess Nadia’ spreads by short runners to form a dense carpet of brightly variegated foliage. Grown mainly for its year-round leaf colour, it also carries the typical blue bugle flower spikes in spring, and is well behaved enough for the front of borders and containers.

Growing & planting

Plant in autumn or spring in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade or sun. The variegation colours up best in good light, though shelter from the harshest midday sun helps prevent scorch. Space about 30cm apart to form continuous groundcover.

Care & maintenance

Undemanding once established. Keep the soil evenly moist in the first season, trim off spent flower spikes, and divide congested clumps every few years to maintain vigour and colour. Remove any reverting all-green shoots promptly.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and split established mats in spring or autumn, replanting sections immediately.
• Runners: Detach rooted plantlets from runners through the growing season and replant or pot on.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free, though crown rot can occur in wet, poorly drained ground and powdery mildew may appear if plants dry out in hot weather. Slugs and snails may nibble soft new growth. Steady moisture with good drainage is the best prevention.

Uses in the garden

Excellent as evergreen groundcover for borders and shaded spots, softening path and bed edges, and adding foliage colour to mixed containers and window boxes.

Wildlife value

The spring flowers offer early-season nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Toxicity & safety

Ajuga is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and to cats and dogs, making it suitable for gardens used by children and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Grow ‘Princess Nadia’ where it gets good light but a little shelter, and the pink tones will be at their richest, especially as temperatures drop in autumn. Keep an eye out for plain green shoots and pull them out, or they will slowly crowd out the variegated growth.

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