Chocolate Chip Bugleweed
Chocolate Chip Bugleweed
A Tiny-Leaved Groundcover That Carpets Tough Spots
Chocolate Chip Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip') is one of the smallest, daintiest bugleweeds, forming a flat, ground-hugging mat of narrow bronze-green leaves topped with short spikes of violet-blue flowers in spring. It knits together quickly to suppress weeds and fill gaps in sun or shade, even between stepping stones. Deer-resistant and easy, this fast groundcover solves bare-ground problems in Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip' |
| Mature Size | 2–4 in tall, spreading |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 3–9 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Part shade to full sun |
| Bloom Time | Spring (violet-blue spikes) |
| Foliage | Narrow bronze-green, semi-evergreen |
| Soil | Average, well-drained; adaptable |
Landscape Uses
Use Chocolate Chip as a low groundcover under shrubs and trees, between stepping stones, along path edges, and on shaded slopes. It spreads to form a dense mat, so site it where it can fill in or edge it to contain.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall, when cooler weather and steady moisture help it establish and knit together.
How to Plant
Set plants level with the soil surface, spacing them 8–12 inches apart for quick coverage. Water in well and mulch lightly between plants until they fill in.
Watering
First Year: Water 1–2 times per week to establish and encourage spread.
After Year One: Water during dry spells; it's fairly drought tolerant once established.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line or soaker hose keeps the mat evenly moist as it fills in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it grow in shade?
Yes, it thrives in part shade and also takes full sun with enough moisture.
Does it spread?
Yes, it spreads readily to form a groundcover; edge it to keep it out of lawns.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, it's a Zone 3 groundcover, fully hardy statewide.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, deer generally avoid bugleweed.
You May Also Like
Pair Chocolate Chip with hostas, ferns, and our other bugleweeds for a layered, weed-suppressing shade planting.
How Many Chocolate Chip Bugleweed Do I Need?
Space plants 8–12 in apart — its tiny leaves form a flat, ground-hugging mat ideal between stepping stones. Plan on roughly 1–1.5 plants per square foot.
| Area to Cover | Plants Needed (~10 in spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 sq ft | ~14 |
| 25 sq ft | ~36 |
| 50 sq ft | ~72 |
Chocolate Chip Bugleweed Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Short spikes of violet-blue flowers stud the flat bronze-green mat.
- Summer: A low, fine-textured carpet fills gaps and even creeps between pavers.
- Fall: The narrow bronze-green leaves hold their color into the cool season.
- Winter: A hugging semi-evergreen mat persists under snow, hardy to zone 3.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Black Scallop Bugleweed — near-black foliage for bold contrast nearby.
- Bronze Beauty Bugleweed — a faster, taller bronze carpet for larger areas.
- Burgundy Glow Bugleweed — a tricolor mat to brighten the planting.
- Sweet Woodruff — a fragrant green shade carpet to pair alongside.
Is Chocolate Chip Bugleweed Right for Your Yard?
Chocolate Chip is the dainty problem-solver for gaps, path edges, and stepping-stone joints in part shade to full sun. Its flat habit is less aggressive than larger bugleweeds, but it still creeps, so edge it where it meets turf.