Mint Chip Bugleweed

‘Mint Chip’ is a compact bugleweed selected for small, glossy green leaves and abundant blue flower spikes. Its close-growing foliage makes a neat groundcover for shaded paths, the front of a border, or spaces between larger plants. ## Flowers and foliage The cultivar blooms in spring, with the original patent describing a four-to-six-week flower display in April and May in Georgia. Short, dense spikes of blue flowers stand above the foliage, while the evergreen leaves provide a low green carpet beyond bloom. The cultivar is identified botanically in its patent as *Ajuga × tenorii* 'Mint Chip', a hybrid selection rather than *A. reptans*. ## Placement and growth Itsaul Plants lists a 3-inch height and an 8–10-inch spread and recommends it for shady paths and border fronts. The plant spreads by stolons; the patent describes its habit as slowly spreading, while the current Itsaul product page calls it a rapid groundcover. Give it room to knit together, and use an edge or path to define the planting. Ajuga generally prefers moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; [NC State Extension's bugleweed guidance](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ajuga-reptans/) notes that crown rot can affect plants in humid conditions and heavy soils. ## Cultivar record Itsaul Plants introduced ‘Mint Chip’, and the cultivar was named in U.S. plant patent PP20,734, issued February 9, 2010. The patent describes deep-green glossy foliage and blue blooms; its size measurements are from one-gallon container-grown plants and should not be treated as mature landscape dimensions. See the [Itsaul Plants profile](https://www.itsaulplants.com/plantname/Ajuga-Mint-Chip) for current cultivar presentation. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone evenly moist while the planting establishes, then water as needed during prolonged dry spells. Remove unwanted runners where they cross an edging or enter adjacent beds. Divide rooted sections if you want to renew or relocate the mat.