Ajuga reptans

Last summer we had a lovely mat of Burgundy Glow but over the winter we were disappointed to see it completely die back. Now, being a novice to gardening I may be wrong but I thought this should thrive all year round?

Vanishing Ajuga

Reply from Cris

Hi there - it is a mystery as to what has happened to your Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow'. It is meant to be evergreen, and hardy down to at least -15 degrees C. Was your site extreamly dry or very very wet with rain? This may have been the problem. Ajuga are susceptible to powdery mildew - which could have looked like a dusty white coating on your leaves. Do you remember seeing any signs of that?
Have you checked out the roots of the plant? Have they rotted away? If it wasn't powdery mildew that was the culprit keep an eye out as there may be a chance that the roots are alive.

Powdery mildew can be caused by keeping the roots to dry while watering over-head so the leaves are always getting wet.

You might try a different ground cover in future for this area.