In my garden I have three different forms of Ajuga australis with different leaf colour and flower size and colour. One plant sourced from Victoria, one from South Australia and one from Sydney. Most beautiful among them is the Ajuga australis from Flora South Australia. This spectacular specimen has bright towers of large vibrant purple flowers. It flowers abundantly and has lovely contrasting foliage. I also grow an Ajuga australis purpurea sourced from an Australian Native Plant Society member in Victoria with lovely deep coloured leaves.

Ajuga australis is great for the shaded borders in your garden. It grows well in part shade to deep shade, I find the Flora SA variety prefers a little more sun – like half day, morning sun only. While the others seem happy in areas with no direct sunlight. The Ajuga australis purpurea is quite vigorous and spreads readily, while the Sydney variety is still young for me but seems slower growing and not inclined to spread as yet.

Ajuga australis are disease and pest free, only bothered by snails if you don’t like the leaf damage.