Hi Lisa
I really like Ajuga, it is easy to pull out and back if it gets to aggressive. I have had many 'not so good experiences' too and they harbor slugs and it seems like weeds can still get through many of them but I have found Ajuga to be pretty darn good at either hiding the weeds and or keeping them from germinating. I have four different types and I like Black Scallop the best, it grows moderately fast and looks good! I have one with a lot of white on it and I have moved it three times trying to find the right spot to make it grow well, so far it's not much of a ground cover, must have too much white... Below is a link to one that I've had the longest and in a space that is hard to grow anything really well.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://public.fotki.com/BambooMary/garden_2006/spring_06/dscn5252-1.html

It's a nifty groundcover. I never added it to any of my contracted landscape design plans, but maybe I should again.

I grew up with the stuff too.

It did spread in the lawn, but that was an easy fix. In some spots, we didn't mind it being in the lawn.

But, to get rid of it in the lawn, all you need to do is sever the roots at the edge of the lawn with a sharp shovel.

Then spray with a lawn weed killer. The deep lawn edging with the shovel will prevent the herbicide from translocating to Ajuga in the bed.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be brave and plant it.

I have not found Ajuga to be invasive or even agressive. I've actually had trouble getting it to live.....

I've found 'Chocolate Chip' to be the most successful for me