This plant is useful for making a dense evergreen carpet of low growing foliage at the edge of a shady border. The bugle has dark green leaves with purple highlights. It will tolerate most soils in sun or shade but does not like to be too dry. In spring it sends up 10–15cm flower stalks full of flowers that are attractive to bees.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM).