Creeping Günsel has gained a good reputation as a ground-covering perennial ace for locations with little light. In order for the cultivation to be successful, the lamiaceae only rarely insist on horticultural attention. The following answers to frequently asked questions provide clarity about all important measures.

Creeping bugle thrives in the shade

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant creeping guensel correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. When is flowering time?
  7. Properly cut creeping guensel
  8. Water creeping guensel
  9. Fertilize creeping guensel properly
  10. hibernate
  11. Propagating creeping guensel
  12. Is creeping guensel poisonous?
  13. Beautiful varieties

    14. Plant creeping guensel correctly

    In order for the creeping Günsel to fulfill its intended task as a groundcover and not to conquer the garden, show the vigorous perennial its limits as part of the planting. You can do this by equipping the area to be greened with a root barrier made of stable geotextile (€107.71). It is important to ensure that the ends of the material overlap so that there are no gaps. In addition, the root barrier should protrude a few centimeters above the ground so that the foothills do not climb over it. This precaution is particularly recommended if the bed borders on a lawn.

    care tips

    If creeping bugle finds a semi-shady to shady location with sufficiently moist and nutrient-rich soil, the maintenance effort is reduced to a minimum. The most important aspects at a glance:

    • Keep the soil constantly moist
    • An organic start fertilization in March
    • Cut off wilted inflorescences before seed formation
    • Cut back close to the ground or mow with the lawnmower in early spring
    • Water in cold weather on mild days

    Winter protection is only recommended for potted plants. Wrap the containers in bubble wrap or fleece so that the root ball does not freeze through.

    Which location is suitable?

    The specialty of creeping Günsel lies in the carpet-like greening of small and large areas in low-light locations. The wild perennial performs this masterpiece perfectly in partially shaded to shaded beds under trees or on the edge of trees. The forest and meadow perennial also thrives in sunny locations, provided it can stretch out its roots in fresh, moist soil.
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    The right planting distance

    So that the wild perennial can play to its strengths as a robust groundcover, a well-considered planting distance is important. If the plants are too close together, their foothills press against each other. If too great a distance is chosen, it will take an unnecessarily long time until the densely woven carpet of flowers and leaves emerges. In practice, a planting distance of 25 cm has proven to be best. This means that you plant 10 to 16 crawling bugles per square meter.

    What soil does the plant need?

    The forest and meadow perennial prefers loose, humus-rich soil, rich in valuable nutrients and with a constant moisture content. Where the substrate in the bed and tub does not come close to the ideal, soil additives compensate for any deficiencies. Enrich too sandy soil with mature compost, leaf soil, bark humus, while compacted, heavily loamy substrate is loosened up with sand.

    When is flowering time?

    The distinctive lipped flowers shine towards us in dense layers along the flower stalks from April to June. While the pure wild species delights with all conceivable nuances of blue tones, hybrids with white, pink or violet flowers are the center of attention. Thus, creative gardeners are free to plant a motley ground cover with the help of a mixed planting of varieties.
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    Properly cut creeping guensel

    If you cut off the withered inflorescences promptly, you save the creeping bugle from the exhausting growth of the four-part Klaus fruits. This measure contributes significantly to a long plant life. The evergreen foliage adorns the empty garden during the cold season, only to be removed shortly before the new shoots in early spring. For the sake of simplicity, set the lawn mower to the highest level and mow off the remaining parts of the plant. Last but not least, use the scissors to keep the crawling bugle's urge to spread in check. In autumn or spring, cut off too long runners without further ado.

    Water creeping guensel

    Regardless of its robust constitution, creeping bugle loves a balanced soil moisture. The ground cover does not like rashes in one direction or the other. Always water the perennial when the top 2 cm of the substrate has dried. Ideally, use soft rainwater and normal tap water alternately to accommodate the desire for a slightly acidic to neutral pH value.

    Fertilize creeping guensel properly

    If the soil conditions meet the requirements, the nutrient supply is limited to an initial fertilization in March. If a dense network of strong runners has already developed, working in compost with a rake could cause damage. It is therefore advisable to fertilize creeping bugle with nettle or comfrey manure or a commercially available liquid preparation. If symptoms of deficiency become apparent in the form of discolored leaves or a stunted flower, repeat the application of fertilizer in May.

    hibernate

    Up to - 23 degrees Celsius creeping Günsel withstands the icy frost. Thus, precautions for wintering in the bed are unnecessary. Deviating from this, we recommend a light winter protection for Günsel in the bucket or balcony box. If you would like to see the up to 50 cm long tendrils dangling casually and elegantly from a planter, you should protect the root ball from frost in winter. Cover the pot or flower box (€16.99) with foil or jute. Regardless of where creeping bugle spends the winter, the leafy plant should continue to be watered during dry periods.

    Propagating creeping guensel

    Where the urge to spread creeping bugle is limited by pruning the foothills, you have plenty of material for propagation in your hands. Trimmed into 10 to 15 cm segments, plant the root cuttings in the partially shaded to shaded spot in the compost-enriched soil where they will magically root. In addition, the division of the root ball is recommended as probably the simplest method of breeding. In contrast, sowing is a gardening challenge, since the seeds are cold germs.

    Is creeping guensel poisonous?

    In folk medicine, creeping Günsel is nicknamed Gurglekraut. Since time immemorial, its valuable ingredients have qualified the mint family as a medicinal plant for external and internal use. For example, if a tea is prepared from the leaves and flowers, it relieves painful angina or tormenting intestinal problems. To date, the ingredients of Ajuga reptans are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, there can be no talk of a toxic hazard.

    Beautiful varieties

    • Palisander: The variety impresses with elegantly shiny, reddish-brown leaves under blue lipped flowers
    • Rosea: Delicate flowers in soft pink transform the bed into a spring dream
    • Burgundy Glow: The plant delivers what the variety name promises with glossy foliage in a mix of pink, white and grey-green
    • Elmblood: Magnificent creeping bugle with ebony leaves and blue flowers
    • Stölzle: A top-class shade perennial with purple-pink, shimmering foliage and blue flowers

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