Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery
Used with permission, all rights reserved
Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa'
Also Known As
- Ajuga 'Mini-Crispula'
- Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa Purpurea'
- Ajuga pyramidalis 'Mini Crisp Red'
- Ajuga reptans 'Metallica Crispa'
- Metallica Crispa Pyramid Bugleweed
- Mini-Crispula Bugleweed
- Miniature Carpet Bugle
- Perennial Purple Spinach Bugleweed
- Purple-leaf Spinach Bugleweed
Plant type
perennial, groundcover
size
- H: 1"-3"
- W: 12"-36"
planting zones
- 3a-9b
Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa' plant details
Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa' is a broadleaf evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial groundcover with bronze and purple foliage. In spring and summer blue flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.
CHARACTERISTICS OF Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa'
- Plant type: perennial groundcover
- Plant family: lamiaceae
- Foliage: evergreen or semi-evergreen bronze and purple
- Mature size: 12 IN - 36 IN - wide, 1 IN - 3 IN - tall
- Flowers: blue blooms in spring and summer
- Uses: clumping, colonizing, crinkly leaves, rosette-forming
GROWING CONDITIONS for Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa'
- USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
- Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
- Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
- Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat
- Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, rich and well-drained
Nursery contributed plant descriptions
Highly textural wrinkled, crinkled, metallic leaves of DEEP PURPLE make a mini statement at a mere 1-3” tall and spreading slowly to about 2’ (much slower than other forms of Ajuga). Short flower spikes of violet-blue May-June. Evergreen in warmer climates. AM sun to mostly shade; most soils, regular moisture. Deer and critter resistant.
The deep-purple foliage of this 6" tall x 8-10" wide carpeter is tinted with metallic-bronze during summer (especially in sun), highlighted by blue flowers in spring but handsome all year in container or ground. S-Sh/M
By: Forestfarm
Ajuga reptans ‘Metallica Crispa’ is a unique selection with crinkled, deep bronze-purple foliage with a metallic finish. This color is most pronounced in late summer. Produces short, upright blue flower spikes. Deer resistant. Thrives in any type of soil but not too dry. Metallica Crispa Ajuga is often used as a groundcover and is also useful for erosion control. Excellent for edging and rock gardens.
ZONES: 3-9. One of the best ground covers for sun or shade. Non-invasive type and deer resistant! Helps control erosion. Crinkled reddish-bronze and purple leaves in spring followed by blue flowers on 3-4 inch stems in late spring to early summer. Mature leaves develope an interesting metallic sheen. Prefers moist, well drained soil. Do not let dry out completely. Use in rock garden, as ground cover cover for spring bulb foliage, in containers, under shrubs and trees or as edging. Chinese Warrior photo shows Metalica Crispa in mid winter. New shoots have started to form crispy leaves. Close up photo shows plant in summer color and mature texture.
It’s not a cereal advertised on MTV, but a curious combination of metallically reflective, scrunchy purple leaves, and spikes of deep blue flowers. This one is a sound choice for tight situations, between stepping stones or in a woodland setting. A good ground cover with Viburnums.
Personal favorite the cushions of twisted and crinkled metallic bronze foliage are definitely different, like heaping mounds of fresh raccoon poo glistening in the morning light.. ZONE 4
A most un-Ajuga like Ajuga. Very curly dark, dark green leaves, quite krinkles and ruffled. Unlike most ajugas, this one has never reverted for us.
By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery
This little gem has basal rosettes of tightly crinkled, curled leaves of purple-blue with a metallic sheen. Evergreen in warmer climates. Somewhat hard to see, violet-blue flowers rise out of the plant center, in dense whorls from spring through early summer. Plant height to 6" tall.
By: Greer Gardens Inc.
Super glossy, crinkled, round leaves sparkle in the light, and late spring light blue short spikes are exhilarating against this deep purple, almost flat, extremely dense, mat-forming ground cover.
Garden photo gallery of Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa'
Gardening facts about Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa' plant
How to Grow Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa'
Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly shade
Water Needs
- even moisture - occasional
Soil Needs
- acidic
- alkaline
- adaptable
- average
- well-drained
- rich
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
Features
Foliage Color
- bronze
- purple
Flower Color
- blue
Wildlife
- bees
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- spring
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen
- semi-evergreen
Texture
- glossy
Landscape groups by tags
See other plant types of Ajuga for your garden
aka Ajuga reptans 'Bronze', Bronze Beauty Bugle Weed, Bronze Bugleweed
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover
Zones
4a-9b
Size
Height: 4"-8"
Width: 12"-36"
- sun - mostly shade
- even moisture - occasional
View Plant
aka Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Lace', Bugleweed, Burgundy Glow Bugle Weed
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover
Zones
5a-9b
Size
Height: 2"-8"
Width: 24"-48"
- sun - mostly shade
- even moisture - occasional
View Plant
aka Bugle Weed
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover
Zones
4a-9b
Size
Height: 4"-10"
Width: 12"-120"
- sun - mostly shade
- even moisture - occasional
View Plant
aka Catlin's Giant Bugleweed
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover
Zones
4a-9b
Size
Height: 6"-12"
Width: 36"-120"
- sun - mostly shade
- even moisture - occasional
View Plant
aka Mahogany Bugle Weed
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover
Zones
4a-9b
Size
Height: 2"-8"
Width: 12"-48"
- sun - mostly shade
- even moisture - occasional
View Plant
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