Plants often come in more than one size. Please see the dropdown box below for available sizes
The word “giant” is the important feature of Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’.
Big, bold & beautiful groundcover
Because ‘Catlin’s Giant’ has taller flower spires (20-30cm. approx.), bigger leaves (each up to 15cm. long), and quickly forms a dense carpet that suppresses weeds and carpets the ground very effectively.
The flowers are rich violet-blue, and glow against the large, glossy, bronze-purple leaves.
Groundcover for shade
Fortunately, Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ flowers well in a variety of garden positions, so it is highly prized as a groundcover. Particularly in shaded areas where grass fails to thrive. It is an enthusiastic spreader even here.
So, it can be planted in Dappled Sun & Shade; Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade; or Full Shade that has good light levels.
Making 'Catlin’s Giant' an ideal groundcover under trees and shrubs, where it will robustly carpet out weeds.
However, ‘Catlin’s Giant’ also copes in the extremes of Full Shade or out in the Full Sun (though the foliage may scorch in districts with hot summer, and it will require more regular moisture when exposed to the Full Sun).
But it is considered a water-wise plant when it has shade for at least part of the day.
Neglect resistant
‘Catlin’s Giant’' is neglect resistant, and a fast grower, so it quickly makes an effective groundcover.
It is rarely, if ever, troubled by pests and diseases.
Mercifully rabbits and deer also tend to ignore it.
While bees, butterflies and small native honey-eating birds just adore foraging amongst the showy flower spires.
Low maintenance
But ‘Catlin’s Giant’ is also low maintenance, as the only work is to cut (or mow with the lawn mower) the flower stems back to ground level to tidy up when they finish their spring-early summer blooming.
Unfussy & easy to please
Likewise, Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ is not fussy about soil type, tolerating a range from sand to clay.
Though it does not enjoy being waterlogged for long, so a position with well-drained soil is much preferred.
Nor is it fussy about soil pH, making a go of it in either acid or alkaline lime-based soils.
And it is certainly hardy - as it tolerates hard frosts to at least -10C; will hang on during periods of dry; and tolerates heat very well, particularly with some shade.
Pots, banks & slopes
Handily the dense foliage carpet will successfully bind a steep bank or sloping garden, remaining attractive all year round.
And it also makes eye-catching colour in a large feature pot, where the bronze-purple foliage and violet-blue flower spires can spill down over the edges.
GROWING: Ajuga reptans 'Catlin’s Giant'
- Height with flowers: Rich violet-blue flower spires up to 30cm. high. Large, glossy, bronze-purple leaves lie flat to the ground and grow densely.
- Width: Makes a round carpet to a diameter of approximately 30-50cm.
But the foliage carpet will go as far as you want it to cover, then it is easily weeded out when it gets to the edge of the allocated space.
- Position: Best in Dappled Sun & Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, or Full Shade with good light levels. However, it also copes in the extremes of Full Shade or Sun.
- Soil: Very unfussy. So, Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ accepts everything from sand to clay, except it detests being waterlogged. And it is not fussy about pH, so will make a go of it in acid or alkaline (lime based) soils.
- Frost: Very frost hardy, even in hard frosts to at least -10C or lower.
- Growth: Hardy evergreen perennial groundcover.
- Beneficial for wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for honey eating native birds, bees, and are also visited by butterflies and moths.
- Beware: Please consult a medical expert before using Ajuga as an herbal treatment.
- Care & Maintenance: Extremely low maintenance ground cover. No trimming is required as it has a naturally neat, tight growth habit. You can even mow it with the mower or whipper snipper.
Though an annual feed may be applied, it is not essential, as Ajuga is not a hungry plant.
- Deer & Rabbit resistant: Both rabbits and deer tend to treat it with ignore, because it has a bitter astringent taste.
Ajuga - A plant of legend
- Myths & Legends: Ajuga has gathered a swathe of common names, with most reflecting the trumpet shape of the individual flowers in the stacked spires.
So "Bugle"," Blue Bugle", "Bugle Herb", "Carpet Bugle" are just some of the more popular common names.
But Ajuga reptans is also known as "Carpenter's Herb" because it was used in traditional European herbal medicine to quench bleeding. And for some people it was considered the sovereign remedy for hangovers!
Other traditional European herbalists made a tea to treat sore throats and mouth ulcers, and even sore heads from over indulgence and excessive merry making.
- Origin: There are members of the Ajuga family all around the world, but particularly in Europe, Africa and Asia.
So, the Ajuga family members are adaptable survivors.
Most of the modern garden cultivars like 'Catlin’s Giant' are variations on European Ajuga reptans, where the native habitat is woodland.
Quarantine Restriction: None - Ajuga reptans 'Catlins Giant' can be shipped to all states from Di’s Delightful Plants - one of Australia’s largest on-line nursery and mail order plant services.
Bulk Discount
If you buy 3-6 plants there will be a $0.50 discount per plant"
If you buy 7+ plants there will be a $1.00 discount per plant
Plants on Special are excluded
