Ajuga x 'Chocolate Chip'

Chocolate Chip Bugleweed

Ajuga × ‘Chocolate Chip’ is a compact, refined evergreen groundcover prized for its narrow, chocolate-brown foliage and bright blue spring flowers. Its smaller scale and tidy habit make it ideal for edging and tight spaces where larger ajugas would be overpowering.

Key Characteristics and Benefits


Foliage & Color: Slim, glossy leaves in deep chocolate to burgundy-brown, holding rich color through the season.



Flowers: Short spikes of violet-blue flowers bloom in mid to late spring, creating vivid contrast.



Growth Habit: Low-growing, slow-to-moderate spreader that forms a neat, dense mat.



Scale & Use: Smaller leaves and tighter habit than most ajugas—excellent for detail areas.



Size: Typically reaches 2–4 in tall with a 12–18 in spread (spreads gradually).



Care and Requirements


Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9



Light: Full sun to partial shade (best foliage color in partial shade)



Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to average garden soils



Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established



Maintenance: Low; occasional thinning if needed



Tolerance: Deer resistant; tolerant of shade and light foot traffic



Summary:
‘Chocolate Chip’ Ajuga is an excellent choice for edging, small groundcover areas, containers, rock gardens, and underplantings, offering refined texture, rich foliage color, and reliable spring bloom in a compact form.

Plant type

Groundcover

Height

2-4'

Width

12-18"

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Shade, Full Sun

Growth rate

Fast

Flower color

Blue

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Dark Green

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Loamy, Well Drained

Landscape use

Groundcover

Shape

Spreading

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No