Pink Lightning Bugleweed

‘Pink Lightning’ bugleweed combines pink spring flower spikes with deeply textured leaves edged in creamy white. It forms a low, evergreen mat that works along shaded paths, on banks, or at the front of a mixed border, where its foliage carries the display beyond flowering. ## Flowers and foliage The patent describes pink flower racemes and rugose leaves with gray-green centers and creamy-white margins. In Connecticut, flowering lasted about four weeks in spring. The [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/301679/ajuga-pink-lightning-v/details) describes pale flower spikes in late spring and early summer and confirms the evergreen, mat-forming habit. ## Siting and growth Part shade helps protect the foliage; the RHS says leaves can scorch in full sun. Plant in moist but well-drained soil, and avoid heavy ground that stays soggy. The cultivar spreads by stolons and can knit into a useful groundcover. Its patent describes a compact, slowly spreading habit, while some nursery listings report faster spread where plants are well watered, so give it room and watch how it behaves in your conditions. NC State Extension's [bugleweed guidance](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ajuga-reptans/) notes that ajuga may creep into lawns and neighboring beds and that crown rot can occur in humid, poorly drained sites. ## Cultivar record Sunny Border selected ‘Pink Lightning’ as a sport of ‘Purple Brocade’. U.S. plant patent PP22,255 records a one-year container-grown plant at about 7 cm tall and 20 cm wide; the [patent description](https://patents.justia.com/patent/PP22255) gives those trial conditions and an observed hardiness range of USDA Zones 4–9. These measurements do not describe every mature garden plant. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and extended dry spells. Divide rooted sections in spring or fall if the mat becomes crowded, and lift stolons that cross into lawn or beds. Keep the planting well drained and provide air movement in humid climates.