Secondly some trees such as maples poplars and willow have heavy feeder roots that rest near the surface making it virtually impossible to grow let alone even dig a hole for planting.
Can carpet bugle grow under a maple tree.
Growing anything under trees can be difficult.
First of all trees create a rain shadow where it is always drier beneath a tree.
If you dig into the soil more than a few.
To shear back a large area of bugleweed use a lawnmower set to a high blade height.
Plant bugleweed in an area where air circulation is good spacing the plants about 1 foot apart.
Thick leathery lobed leaves grow from running stems that root where they touch the ground forming a thick carpet 6 12 inches high.
Ajuga ground cover spreads through runners and as a member of the mint family it can get out of control without proper care.
To keep the plant under control rigorously prune runners twice a year.
Evergreen in most regions it is perfect for planting between stepping stones or in wall crevices.
However when placed in strategic locations its quick growth and mat forming trait can provide instant coverage with only a few plants.
Cut off the flower spikes in late summer after the flowers have faded.
Bugleweed is a low growing ground cover usually staying under 6 inches.
Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 can tolerate poor soil partial shade and even plant killing black walnut.
Standing 6 inches tall and spreading by runners deer resistant bugle comes in colorful cultivars such as the almost black mahogany and the burgundy and white splashed burgundy glow.
Planting under maple trees acer spp is a challenge for several reasons.
How to grow bugleweed.
Trailing rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system.
Once established this tough plant needs little care and is also hard to eradicate.
These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil.
Tough adaptable bugleweed ajuga reptans hardy in u s.
Most maple trees have shallow aggressive roots.
Carpet bugle ajuga reptans toots its own horn with spikes of blue flowers in spring and early summer.
How to plant under maple trees.
As most maple species are large trees under planting species should be chosen for complementary characteristics such a shade tolerance preference for moist and acidic soil as well as to complement and contrast the appearance of the tree.
Fast growing ajuga reptans bronze beauty carpet bugle is a vigorous perennial prized for its rich blue flowers and contrasting bronze tinged leaves which quickly form a dense mat of attractive rosettes.