A Pacific Northwest Extension Publication Oregon State University Washington State University University of Idaho. Ajuga reptans forms a low-growing mat 4 inches tall with flower spikes up to 9 inches tall. Back to: Groundcover Gallery 'Black Scallop' PP 15815. Ajuga plants are subject to crown rot if they are overcrowded or if conditions are too humid. About every third year, large, crowded groupings should be thinned out This low-growing bugleweed will spread in the garden by stolons form an attractive, mat-like ground cover. Fusarium Wilt - Chrysanthemum. Bases of stems rot and turn brown or black. While it prefers moist soils with good drainage, it will tolerate moderately dry conditions. Spots appear on the crown (where stem and roots meet), lower leaves rot and young shoots wilt. Otherwise, it is fairly impervious to pests and diseases. Runners are easily removed from the mother plant when they are young. The Ajuga Bronze Beauty plant can be propagated by division, separating rooted stems. Ajuga prefers moist, humusy soil but tolerates moderately dry soil. The crown should never be covered with soil or the plant will rot and die. Crown rot is a nasty disease that affects many plants, mainly garden vegetables. Helping gardeners grow their dreams since 1997.No-dash-here, you've found The Real Garden Helper! The Garden Helper is a free gardening encyclopedia and guides to growing and caring for gardens, plants and flowers. Ajugas begin blooming in early spring and continue up until mid July Rust - Hollyhock. acidic with a pH in the range of 3.7 to 6.5, propagated by digging and dividing established clumps. You can do it by simply mowing or cutting the foliage back to the ground. Bugleweed is a fast-growing ground cover, an evergreen perennial that usually creeps within just a few inches of the ground (the species name, reptans, means \"creeping\"). They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. To prevent this, simply make sure to site your plants accordingly. to reduce the chance of crown rot. Can be cut back to the ground to rejuvenate foliage. Photo credit: Wendy Lefkowich via photopin cc. Tweet this Page Share on Facebook. What else. You say to thin out larger, crowded groupings of ajuga, but I did not see a description of how to do it. The plant will also develop spots on the crowns. Every 2-4 years it may be necessary to thin out any crowded clusters of foliage. Ajuga reptans. Powdery mildew can attack quickly but a squirt with Ecofungicide will control it. Not very tolerant of foot traffic. crown rot. Crown rot is a disease caused by a soil-borne fungus which can survive in the soil indefinitely. It is an excellent plant for moist areas, although … Problems with Ajuga. Ajuga is easily grown in well-drained soils in part-sun to part-shade. This is particularly common in heavy soils or in hot, humid areas. crown rot and, like hosta, adapted to partial to full shade environments. This will reduce the risk of the crown rot. Chronically infected plants may be stunted or off color. Wait for a day long after the danger of frost has passed to plant. You can do it by simply mowing or cutting the foliage back to the ground. Ajuga crown rot is one of the few major disease problems on this host. Ajuga is happiest in well-drained, moist soil but handles drought and dry soils well. It will prevent the plant from going back to its original green form and it will help keeping its colors. When you’re ready to replant, try a different kind of groundcover, to decrease the chance that the problem will return. How to care for Ajuga Ajuga are very low maintenance. Plants suddenly turn yellow and die in patches during warm, humid weather. Occasionally patches of ajuga will die. This is easily done when they are young so you should not have much trouble with them. Fruiting bodies, called sclerotia, also form in the mycelium. And in addition to the traditional green foliage, this ground cover can also provide the landscape with stunning copper or purple-colored foliage too, making it great for adding year-round interest. © 2020 All Rights Reserved. It first appears as sudden wilting and dieback in colder climates and yellowing and death of plants in warmer areas. Pachysandra suffering from root rot. You will know that this is happening if you notice signs of rot in the lower leaves. I’m a gardening enthusiast with over 25 years of experience. Many susceptible ornamentals, such as daylily (Hemerocallis), impatiens, ajuga, peony, and vinca, are often planted in the same beds as hosta, so the disease can move from hosta to neighboring plants. The most effective . The good news is that it is easy to grow Ajugas since they don’t require much dedicated care. Crown rot is a disease caused by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum, and can attack all winter cereals and many grassy weeds. I hope you enjoy my blog and that my blog inspires you to garden. While symptoms may vary from plant to plant, there is often little you can do once the disease occurs. Performance - Ajuga is excellent as a ground cover in shade where grass will not grow. Signs of Crown Rot … Propagate by division any time during the growing season. Required fields are marked *. It becomes more difficult as they age because they will become entangled in the main plant. Propagating and Pruning Ajuga Plants. It does have a tendency to spread into grass if not contained. This will help to keep the plant contained. Ajuga is excellent plant to use for erosion control due to it's extensive root system! Here are the basic growing conditions for Ajuga plants: You should plant Ajugas in early spring. seed, cuttings, division. In most cases, you’ll plant ajuga bugleweed from a started plant. It is a good idea to remove these runners periodically anyway, Removing runners will prevent your Ajuga plants from spreading too much. Pruning is done by either mowing or cutting the foliage back to the ground. But it is rare in the desert Southwest. If solid-color leaves show up on a variegated-leaf plant, remove them to stop the leaves from changing to an all green color. Theres even a variegated form available. Zones 3-9 Ajuga genevensis is a relativel… Problems with Ajuga Plants. There’s no treatment for crown rot, so if it shows up, you’ll need to remove and destroy the affected plants. Generally, most types of Ajuga only reach a height of 6-9 inches when in full bloom. This fungal disease is most common in warm wet or humid weather. Crown and Roots Rot; Odor Present is Caused by Crown Rot Soil-dwelling fungi cause this serious disease, which can kill plants within a few days. Life Cycle Crown rot is a disease caused by a variety of soil-borne fungi (Pellicularia rolfsii, Sclerotium delphinii, and Sclerotium rolfsii), affecting mainly herbaceous and woody plants. Root and crown infections will first appear as wilting or collapse of the plant. The biggest concern is to make sure the plant doesn't get too wet because crown rot is a common problem. Sites that are particularly wet or poorly drained will have this problem more than well-drained areas. This will help you keeping your Ajugas contained in the area where you want them to grow. Social media. Foliar Nematode - Hosta. Although it has pretty flowers and is available in several different cultivars that work well in landscaping, it can also make quite a nuisance of itself through rampant spread. Ajuga grows best in partial to full shade but will also grow in full sun if constant moisture is provided. The problem in Georgia was attributed to infected plants coming in from plug production facilities in Central America. How do I prune my Ajuga Bronze Beauty Bugleweed? These plants are hardy and disease and insect resistant. You should space your plants about a foot apart and water deeply. Many forms with variegated foliage are available. Thanks. To control rapid growth, either mow or cut back to the ground. The crown should never be covered with soil or the plant will rot and die. Try to avoid using chemical herbicides near ajuga, they seem to promote rot in existing plants. ANSWER: Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) is prone to a fungal root and crown rot caused by the Southern blight fungus (Sclerotium rolfsii). Bugleweed is a dense, fast-growing groundcover. It will tolerate any soil, even poor ones, as long as it is well-drained. When planting, make sure to space them 12 to 15 inches apart. These plants are native to Europe. It affects herbaceous plants and some woody plants but is most commonly found on ajuga, anemone, campanula, chrysanthemum, delphinium, hosta, hydrangea, iris, narcissus, phlox, rudbeckia, scabiosa, sedum, and tulip. This will reduce the risk of the crown rot. Good ground cover in contained areas. Crown rot, sometimes called southern blight or southern stem rot, is caused by several soil-borne fungi. Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape. Ajuga reptans 'Metallica Crispa' (also known as 'Cristata') - bronzed foliage is small and crinkled, resembling miniature dark spinach, but is not as vigorous as other cultivars, often listed under the species Ajuga pyramidalis It is also recommended to thin out the larger, crowded groupings every two to three years. Black Root Rot - Pansy. Comments - Ajuga needs to be divided every 2-3 years to prevent crown rot. Your email address will not be published. Mine is looking crowded at 2 years. About every 3 years thin out large crowded groups to avoid crown rot. Early detection of infected plants includes scouting for plants that either wilt or collapse during periods of water stress. Runners are easily removed from the mother plant when they are young. Ajuga Reptans All You Want To Know and Its Varieties. When not working, I love digging in my garden. Garden Uses. I grow everything I can from veggies to plants. Tips for Pruning Your Dieffenbachia Plant, Oncidium Orchids Care: 8 Mistakes to Avoid. You may plant them directly in the garden or transplant the young plants to your garden. It is a fabulous plant capable of smothering and controlling weeds and to grow at garden edges. It is important to make sure that the crowns are never covered with soil. Some of the miniature varieties make great additions to trough gardens and containers. Management. Divide plants if they become overcrowded. If the crowns are covered the plant will rot and die. Ajuga grows along the ground, spreading by runners, Gray Mold - Poinsettia. Also avoid planting near perennial beds or lawns where its spreading nature could pose removal problems. Ajuga plants tend to be healthy but crown rot can be a problem. Ajuga can be propagated by digging and dividing established clumps in the fall or early in the spring. Pruning your Ajugas is easy. Sudden wilting, yellowing and death of ajuga, also known as bugleweed, means crown rot may have invaded the planting. Gray Mold - Geranium. Provide good air circulation to prevent crown rot. Cause The fungus Phoma sp. and soon creates a thick carpet of foliage. Pruning your Ajugas is easy. Good air circulation is essential to avoid crown rot. It will tolerate poor soils, but should be placed in an area where it can be controlled. Crown rot can be a problem, particularly in humid conditions and wet, heavy soils. even if they are to be discarded. Southern Blight (fungus – Sclerotium rolfsii): Southern Blight, also called Crown Rot, is a soil-borne disease of ajuga that will be more serious in poorly drained soils. Pathogenicity of crown rot and root rot disease of Ajuga reptans caused by Phoma sp. In case you notice non-variegated foliage on variegated forms of Ajuga plants, make sure to remove it. has been found in greenhouse grown plants by the OSU Plant Clinic and reported from Georgia. The fungus causing this crown rot enters the plant through the roots and crown. Ajuga Reptans is also known as bugleweed or carpetweed and is not that invasive that you cannot control it. It can spread from plant to plant by white thread-like growths (mycelium) that first infect the base of the stem, and then spread up the stem or out from its base in fan-shaped patterns. Provide good air circulation in hot and humid areas where crown rot is a problem. Plants may be cut back to the ground after flowering, if necessary, to rejuvenate the foliage. Your email address will not be published. This herbaceous perennial is a member of the mint family. But there are a few situations i… Part of OSU Extension Plant Pathology Slide Set. Share your gardening knowledge with The Gardener's Forum - with 50,000 posts and thousands of participating members. It tolerates deer and rabbit and does well planted under and around Black Walnut trees. ground cover. It is very easy to propagate your Ajugas. Effective management of crown rot requires combining several strategies. Keep in mind that it is recommended to remove runners periodically even if you don’t want to divide your plant. Ajuga-Crown Rot. PNW Plant Disease Management . The biggest problem is Crown rot usually caused by over-watering or too much rain. Crown rot can be a problem, particularly in the humid conditions of the deep South and in heavy soils. for Your Garden. If you wish to grow Ajuga plants as groundcover in your garden, you need to follow some basic care tips. Additionally, very heavy soil will cause crown rot. Spent flower spikes may be cut back by hand or mowed over using a high bladed mower to clean up the Bugleherb groundcover. How to plant Ajuga Plant Ajuga 30cm (12in) apart, taking care not to plant too deeply. The fungus, Sclerotium delphinii, thrives in warm, wet weather, so it has done well in 1998. Ideas and Inspiration In order to prevent this disease, make sure to provide your Ajuga plants with good air circulation. It should also be thinned every few years to prevent crown rot. Primary use is as a ground cover. Gardening on the Web since 1997. Note the discoloration at the base of the stems due to a Sclerotium sp. Will grow in full shade but best foliage color occurs in part sun. This fungal disease is often favored by wet conditions and heavy soils. with the peak blossom period in May and June. It is also important not to plant them too deeply. It is best to do this by simply removing the runners from the mother plant. Common Name(s): Ajuga; Blue Bugle; Bugleherb; Bugleweed; Bugle Weed; Carpet Bugle; Phonetic Spelling ah-JOO-gah REP-tans Description. These fungi overwinter in soil and are capable of surviving in soil for long periods of time. Crown Rot - Hydrangea. The blight that causes ajuga crown rot can affect many garden plants and can be difficult to control. Rust - Geranium . Alternatively, you may do this early in the spring. The presence of the pathogen within the plant stem limits water movement, which can result in premature death of the tiller and the presence of white (dead) heads. Avoid over-fertilizing. Heterosporium Leaf Spot - Iris Rust - Daylily. Phytopathology 95:S111. This will reduce any chances of root rot. Ajuga plants are evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on the species and variety. Avoid planting in wet, heavy soils, provide good air circulation and divide when clumps become overcrowded. If you want to know more about Crown rot and on Ajuga plants visit this page. In hot, humid areas, remember that your bugleweed will need plenty of good air circulation in order to prevent nasty fungal diseases, like crown rot. Removal of these offsets will become more difficult as they age, because they will become entangled in the main plant. The flowers of bugleweed are normally bluish to purple but they can be found in white as well. Crown Rot - Ajuga. It is also recommended to thin out the larger, crowded groupings every two to three years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This garden malady is caused by a fungus that sometimes develops in the soil when the location has experienced many heavy rains, flash floods, or other reasons for lots of lots of water in one location. 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