Bugle Hedgenettle
Stachys ajugoides
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Eugene Zelenko
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Stachys
- Species:
- Stachys ajugoides
- USDA Symbol:
- STAJ
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Allen's Aphelia (Aphelia alleniana), Autographa pasiphaea, Lobed Looper Moth (Megalographa biloba)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetland areas.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and consistent moisture.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are collected between June 9th and September 21st. Mature inflorescences are brown. Seed is black at maturity. S. ajugoides var. ajugoides is found in moist places, mostly below 2,500 feet elevation; from Sonoma and Glenn counties south to Los Angeles and Orange counties, California.
Source: npn.rngr.net