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 Your email address will not be published.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