Add dramatic year-round color to your landscape with Ajuga reptans 'Mahogany', a beautiful evergreen groundcover prized for its rich deep purple to nearly black foliage. This fast-spreading perennial forms a dense carpet of glossy leaves that suppresses weeds while adding striking contrast to shade gardens, borders, pathways, and woodland landscapes.

In late spring, vibrant blue-violet flower spikes emerge above the dark foliage, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. Easy to grow and exceptionally low maintenance, Ajuga 'Mahogany' thrives in partial shade to full shade and adapts well to a wide range of garden conditions.

Perfect for gardeners looking for colorful groundcover, erosion control, or a beautiful lawn alternative, this hardy perennial provides season-long interest with very little maintenance.

Key Features

• Deep purple to nearly black evergreen foliage
• Brilliant blue-violet spring flowers
• Fast-spreading groundcover
• Excellent weed suppression
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Pollinator friendly
• Low maintenance perennial
• Great erosion control
• Perfect for shade gardens
• Attractive year-round foliage

Plant Details

Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans 'Mahogany'

Common Name: Mahogany Bugleweed

Plant Type: Evergreen Perennial Groundcover

Foliage Color: Deep Purple to Near Black

Flower Color: Blue-Violet

Bloom Season: Late Spring

Mature Height: 2–4 Inches (4–6 Inches in Bloom)

Spread: 18–24 Inches

Growth Habit: Dense, Mat-Forming, Spreading

Light Requirements: Partial Shade to Full Shade (Tolerates Full Sun in Cooler Climates)

Water Needs: Moderate

Soil Requirements: Moist, Well-Drained Soil

Hardiness Zones: USDA 4–9

Characteristics: Evergreen, Pollinator Friendly, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Erosion Control, Weed Suppressant, Low Maintenance

Garden Uses

Perfect for:

• Shade gardens
• Woodland gardens
• Groundcover
• Border edging
• Pathways
• Under trees
• Rock gardens
• Slopes and hillsides
• Erosion control
• Cottage gardens
• Fairy gardens
• Containers
• Living mulch
• Lawn alternative

Planting Partners

Pairs beautifully with:

• Hosta
• Heuchera
• Ferns
• Astilbe
• Brunnera
• Tiarella
• Pulmonaria
• Hellebores
• Carex
• Lamium

Care Tips

• Plant in moist, well-drained soil.
• Performs best in partial to full shade.
• Water regularly during establishment.
• Trim flower spikes after blooming if desired.
• Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigorous growth.
• Excellent for suppressing weeds beneath trees and shrubs.
• Mulch around new plantings to retain moisture.