Ajuga Reptans 'Black Scallop' is a fast growing groundcover plant and perennial plant that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3B through 9B. It matures to an average height of 1 inch to 1 foot and an average width of 1 foot to 2 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors. It prefers growing in a location that provides full sun, shade, morning sun with afternoon shade, morning shade with afternoon sun or filtered sun and grows best when planted in loam, clay or silt soil that is well drained. In the spring Black Scallop Ajuga produces blue and violet flowers. The foliage is black and dark green in color. It attracts butterflies and visual attention and is resistant to deer, drought, insects, diseases, mildew and heat.

Black Scallop Ajuga can be useful in the landscape along woodland borders, in mass plantings, in foundation plantings, in containers or planters, as a border or edger, around decks, swimming pools, and other outdoor living areas, under a shade tree, as a groundcover, between stepping stones and pavers or in landscape beds or islands and also in perennial gardens or shade gardens.

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Black Scallop produces the darkest foliage color of any Ajuga. The sumptuous shades of dark purple and midnight black leaves are larger than those of  'Mahogany' Ajuga and the foliage color is intensified both by sun and cold temperatures. 'Black Scallop' has been found to be resistant to powdery mildew and it is heat resistant. This stunning black ground cover is topped in late spring through early summer with intense deep blue, fragrant flowers held on small flower spikes that rise above the foliage. This is a patented plant that will not reproduce by seed.

The very dark, uniform, glossy, scalloped foliage of 'Black Scallop' is a fast-growing plant that will spread by stolons to form an attractive groundcover with a dense habit. Great for use in garden beds or foundation plantings. One plant can spread into a patch up to 36 inches wide. It is also an excellent addition to container gardens where it's foliage color and texture provide unique contrast to other plants. 

Black Scallop Ajuga is very easy to grow and maintain in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist, humusy soils with good drainage, but tolerates moderately dry ones. The best dark leaf color usually occurs in sunny locations. Provide good air circulation in hot and humid areas where crown rot can be a problem. Larger plantings may be mowed on a high mower setting to remove spent flower spikes and to tidy the appearance of the planting. String trimmers and hedge shears are also effective for removing spent flower spikes.

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