Ajuga genevensis - Blue Bugle (Bugleweed)
Ajuga reptans 'Bronze Beauty' - Bronze Beauty Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip' - Chocolate Chip Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans 'Silver Beauty' - Silver Beauty Bugleweed
Ajuga in it's various forms can be a unusually useful and attractive groundcover when there is limited vertical space. In most cases it's a hardy perennial that tends to thrive in more shady locations, but the variegated cultivars will perform better when they receive more sun. They tend to prefer loamy soils and may be slow to thrive in heavier clays, though they will survive.
Ajuga belongs to the Mint family (Lamiaceae) and are natives to Europe. One of this plant's assets is it's size; when not in bloom this plant rarely gets over 2-3" in height, and can spread far and wide on it's stolons. Some are characterized as invasive for their ability to take up a large space quickly, while other varieties actually seem to be slow growers.
Ajuga can be used to great effect in rock gardens or in landscaped beds in a more natural or wooded setting. Like other groundcovers it can be used for erosion control as well. Ajuga enthusiasts like the foliage color and texture of many varieties of the plant, as it can provide interest through all of the growing season. Blooms are most often blue or purple, appearing on spikes 4-12" in spring (and occasionally again in fall). This plant may also be called by other common names such as 'Bugleweed' or 'Carpet Bugle(weed)'.