Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans ‘Caitlin’s Giant’ 

Common Name: Bugleweed 

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 3–9 

Size: 6–10" Tall × 18–24" Spread 

Growth Habit: Spreading, Mat-Forming, Vigorous Habit 

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade 

Soil: Moist, Well-Drained Soil 

Water Needs: Moderate; Regular Water During Establishment 

Bloom Season: Mid to Late Spring 

Fertilizer: Minimal; Compost in Spring if Needed 

Features: Large Bronze-Green Foliage, Blue Flower Spikes, Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen 

Uses: Groundcover, Mass Plantings, Slopes, Under Trees, Erosion Control 

Patent: ❌ Not Patented 

Propagation: ✔ Can Be Propagated

See our complete Ajuga Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Ajuga ‘Caitlin’s Giant’

Ajuga ‘Caitlin’s Giant’ is exactly what the name suggests—it’s big, bold, and not shy about taking up space. This is one of the largest Ajuga varieties you can grow, with broad, glossy leaves that immediately read heavier and more substantial than standard selections. When it goes in the ground, it makes an instant statement. The foliage spreads quickly, overlapping and knitting together to form a dense, weed-smothering carpet that doesn’t take multiple seasons to look established.

The leaves themselves are impressive, both in size and presence, creating a strong visual foundation in the landscape. This isn’t a delicate or subtle ground cover—it’s one that anchors a space and gives it weight. In Spring, ‘Caitlin’s Giant’ may produce occasional spikes of rich blue flowers, but bloom is not the main reason to grow this plant. Because of its vigor and scale, ‘Caitlin’s Giant’ isn’t a plant I use for tight borders or finely detailed spaces. Instead, it excels where coverage is the priority. Under trees, along slopes, in large shaded beds, or anywhere you need ground covered quickly and confidently, this variety feels right at home. 

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

‘Caitlin’s Giant’ is an older variety that we haven’t actively trialed in recent years, but it’s one we know well from past use. Its reputation for fast establishment and aggressive coverage was earned long ago, and those traits are exactly what made it such a dependable problem-solver in challenging areas. Even then, it stood out for how quickly it filled space, overlapped itself, and reduced weed pressure without needing much intervention once established.

From our experience, it performs reliably across a range of conditions, particularly in partial shade with consistent moisture. It wasn’t a fussy plant, and it didn’t require frequent correction to stay effective. While newer, more refined ajuga varieties offer tighter habits or more ornamental foliage, ‘Caitlin’s Giant’ remains a strong option when scale and speed matter most. For large areas, slopes, or sites that need to look established quickly, it’s a variety that has proven itself over time.

Caitlin’s Giant vs. Other Ajuga Varieties

Ajuga ‘Caitlin’s Giant’ is dramatically larger than ‘Black Scallop’, and they serve very different purposes. Where Black Scallop is about dark, glossy foliage and a tight, refined mat, Caitlin’s Giant brings broad leaves and fast, forceful coverage. Compared to ‘Burgundy Glow’, Caitlin’s Giant trades color complexity for sheer presence. Burgundy Glow brightens shaded spaces with its pink, cream, and green variegation and works beautifully in mixed beds or visible garden areas. Caitlin’s Giant, on the other hand, is much more utilitarian.

When set beside ‘Chocolate Chip’, the contrast is even sharper. Chocolate Chip is compact, tidy, and restrained, making it ideal for borders, walkways, and places where precision matters. Caitlin’s Giant does the opposite—it spreads boldly, takes up space, and isn’t meant to be contained in small areas. If Chocolate Chip is for fine detail and clean lines, Caitlin’s Giant is for scale and speed, handling jobs that smaller ajugas simply can’t keep up with.