Chocolate Chip Ajuga

Ajuga reptans 'Valfredda'

$29⁹⁹

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Chocolate Chip Ajuga highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Ajuga reptans 'Valfredda'
Growing Zones

4-9
Mature Height

3 - 6 inches
Mature Spread

6 - 8 inches
Sun Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Shade
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Well Drained
Growth Rate

Medium
Flower Color

Purple-Blue
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pruning Time

Early Spring
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Summer

Growing Zones 4-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

The Chocolate Chip Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Valfredda') is known for its chocolate foliage and beautiful purple-blue flowers. Carpet Bugle is another popular name for this plant. This perennial is valued as a spreader, making a wonderful groundcover!

The leaves are a deep green with burgundy highlights. Along with that, some leaves have a chocolate-colored overlay. The mix of colors in the aromatic foliage is noteworthy indeed, but the flowers bring the whole plant together.

The purple-blue flowers rise above the foliage and steal the show! All of the colors truly make a gorgeous picture of your yard. The flowers themselves bloom in the mid to late spring, creating a warm welcome to summer. Much to the delight of your visiting Pollinators!

Hardy members of the Mint family, you will see Carpet Bugle growing readily throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9, growing just 3-6 inches tall, and spreading to 6-8 inches wide, but creeping and spreading into low-growing flowering mats. You'll enjoy Chocolate Chip's winter presence in warm climates because the foliage can remain semi-evergreen!

Landscape Application:

Plant your new Chocolate Chip Ajuga in between your garden stepping stones, Rock Gardens, or locations where the grass is having a difficult time growing! They'll be a perfect space-saving addition to any small garden in need of a pop of color and life. Tolerating foot traffic and even being mowed over, plant along the edges of garden beds and along pathways.

This plant is easy to divide or keep tidy, so plant it in small places with ease! Add some to your yard for a new look. The oval leaves and bright colors in the warmer months will enhance your curb appeal! These sun-loving and shade-tolerant perennials even work great in containers as spillers and fillers!

This plant is also amazing for sidewalks and edging, as it gives any location a natural, effortless look. The possibilities are endless with the Bugleweed Chocolate Chip Ajuga. Use it for mass planting or even in a pot, you cannot go wrong with this perennial!

Purple-Blue Flower Spires
Flowers Bloom in Mid to Late Spring
Dark Green & Chocolate Foliage Color
Spreading Ground Hugging Perennial
Flowering Groundcover That's Foot Traffic Tolerant
Mat-Forming Landscape Filler, Container Spillers & Edging

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Provide your Bugleweed with a partial shade to a full sun location. They enjoy the shade every once in a while! If constant moisture is provided, it will thrive in full sun but in hot climates, it appreciates afternoon shade.

Plant your new Chocolate Chip Ajuga in moist soil. Additionally, humusy soil is fit for this plant. Be sure to provide good air circulation and well-drained to avoid crown rot. If this plant is overcrowded or planted in heavy clay, it may be susceptible to crown rot.

Pruning is recommended in the early spring. Some choose to mow this ground covering perennials after flowering to remove spent flower spikes and clean up the area. Be mindful of its spreading abilities! Plant and maintain it so you keep your area looking neat and lovely! Divide as needed and transplant to expand your enjoyment of this pretty plant!

Thrives in Both Sunny & Shaded Locations
Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture to Low Once Established
Clean Mounds In Late Autumn or Early Spring
Easy To Grow, Low-Maintenance & Deer Resistant
Compact Selection From Italy

Add this beautiful, fun perennial to your landscape and you won't be disappointed in the slightest. Order the Chocolate Chip Bugleweed today at NatureHills.com!

Favorite groundcover..

I have never had a ground cover so fabulous. I was tired of replacing wood chips under my roses, so i replaced them with chocolate chip ajuga. It filled in, in one season, it completely blocks weeds out. It has performed much better than my Bronze beauty as far as springing back to life in the early spring. I have mine growing in full sun and it seems to do fine even though it is supposed to be shaded. It is a wonderful dark background to my pink knock out roses. I couldnt be happier with it!

Hi Deborosa,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with Chocolate Chip Ajuga! We're delighted to hear how beautifully it has filled in and helped you say goodbye to those constant wood chip replacements under your roses. It’s great to know that it's working well for you especially thriving in full sun despite typically being more shade-loving—that versatility really makes it a superstar groundcover! Your colorful contrast with the pink Knock Out roses sounds absolutely stunning.

If you want to keep your Ajuga flourishing, occasional watering during dry spells and ensuring good air circulation can help prevent any potential mildew (though it sounds like it’s doing wonderfully for you so far). Also, please feel free to explore our plant care guides or reach out if you’d ever like tips on pruning or propagating Chocolate Chip Ajuga for even more coverage next season.

Thanks again for brightening our day with your feedback!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Awesome color

I love this plant, it has such an awesome color to it. I like having a variety of colors in my garden and this one is just great!

Hi Heidiwyn,

Thank you so much for sharing your enthusiasm for the Chocolate Chip Ajuga! We're thrilled to hear that its rich color adds such fantastic variety to your garden. Ajuga is truly a gem for bringing vibrant hues and interesting texture, and it's wonderful to know it's thriving in your space.

If you enjoy plants with unique foliage like this, you might also like exploring varieties of Heuchera or Coleus, which complement Ajuga beautifully and offer even more striking colors. Meanwhile, be sure to give your Ajuga alternating sun and shade for the best leaf color, along with well-draining soil to keep it happy.

We're here anytime you need plant tips or ideas for your garden palette!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Great plant

My Ajuga are in semi to full shade most of the day. Because of their dark color, they are sometimes difficult to see. Tthey are great plants for ground cover and only require water when it is really, really dry (Zone 9).

Hello Hazel,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Chocolate Chip Ajuga! It’s wonderful to hear that they’re thriving in semi to full shade and serving as an effective ground cover for you. The dark coloration can definitely make them a subtle, yet beautiful addition to shaded areas of your garden.

Since you’re observing they only need watering during extended dry periods in Zone 9, it sounds like you have a great routine going! Just as a tip, if visibility is ever an issue, consider pairing the Ajuga with a companion plant that has a lighter or contrasting foliage—this can help create an eye-catching contrast and make those wonderful dark leaves stand out.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your insights and hope your Ajuga continue to flourish in your garden!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Great plant

Hi Hazel,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on your Chocolate Chip Ajuga! We’re delighted to hear that they are thriving in semi to full shade and acting as a lovely ground cover in your garden. You’re absolutely right— their dark foliage can sometimes make them a bit tricky to spot, but it sounds like they have found the perfect cozy spot with minimal watering needs in Zone 9.

If you ever want to make them stand out a bit more, consider positioning lighter-colored companion plants nearby to create a beautiful contrast. Also, mulching around your Ajuga can help retain moisture and support healthy growth during drier spells. Feel free to reach out anytime for tips on soil amendments or mixing plant varieties that play well together in shady areas.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Will grow in shady areas

Can be planted in mid October

Hello Shappie,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insight about the Chocolate Chip Ajuga! Planting in mid-October can indeed be a great strategy, especially since Ajugas handle cooler weather quite well and are known for their adaptability, including growing in shaded areas like you mentioned. To help ensure your Ajuga thrives, just be sure to keep an eye on soil moisture as the cooler months set in—Ajugas prefer well-drained soil but appreciate consistent moisture.

If you’d like, we also have some care guides on late-season planting that might offer helpful tips tailored to your region. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need advice on timing or planting techniques in the future!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts