Creeping Jenny, also known as Lysimachia nummularia, is an evergreen perennial ground cover that should be planted in moist, well-drained soil. It prefers full sun to partially shaded areas, so if you are looking to fill a space in your yard that receives little sun, this is an ideal choice.
When planting, space the creeping jenny 12-18 inches apart. This will help prevent overcrowding and give the plants plenty of room to spread out and form a mat of green foliage. Make sure the soil is damp but not overly wet, as too much water can cause root rot.
Plant the creeping jenny in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. If you are planting the plant in cooler climates, make sure to provide some shade during the summer months to protect it from scorching temperatures.
For ideal results, do necessary pruning, keep the soil moist and feed the plant with a quality fertilizer every few months. With the right conditions, your creeping jenny will create a luscious mass of light green foliage that becomes especially striking when blooms appear in late spring and summer.
Can creeping Jenny be grown as a houseplant?
Yes, creeping Jenny can be grown as a houseplant! It is a semi-evergreen perennial plant with yellow blooms and is known for its ground-covering properties, making it a popular choice for planters and hanging baskets alike.
It is a low-growing, low-maintenance plant, only requiring partial sun and regular watering. Additionally, it is a great oxygenator and in general, does best in moist soil. If you’re looking for something to add a pop of color to a planter or to cover an area with a soft, green blanket of foliage, creeping Jenny is an excellent choice!.
Will creeping Jenny come back every year?
Most likely, yes. Creeping Jenny, also known as Lysimachia nummularia, is an evergreen perennial that spreads rapidly, making it easy to propagate and maintain over multiple years. Its fast-growing nature and long-lived foliage contribute to its attractiveness as a hardy groundcover.
Because it is hardy and adaptable, as well as almost self-sustaining, creeping Jenny makes a great choice for areas that need quick groundcover or a touch of greenery without extra maintenance. Moreover, although it doesn’t produce flowers, the leaves and their bright yellow color offer a cheerful contrast throughout the warmer months.
As long as it is planted in a moist, well-drained soil, creeping Jenny should grow and spread year after year.
How quickly does creeping Jenny spread?
Creeping Jenny, or Lysimachia nummularia, is a fast-spreading ground cover. It can spread quickly due to its rhizome root system and can expand up to 36 inches in each direction within a single growing season.
The rhizome sends out shoots that then expand and form a tight mat-like cover, creating attractive borders and ground cover. Seeds can also be used to spread the plant and can often be found scattered through the garden, leading to dense areas of the plant.
To prevent it from taking over a garden, it is important to contain it within a pot, flat edging, or other structure that will prevent it from growing unchecked. As with any plant, timely pruning and maintenance will also help keep it contained and looking its best.
Does creeping Jenny multiply?
Yes, Creeping Jenny (also known as Lysimachia nummularia) multiplies by spreading rapidly through its rooting stems. It is a perennial groundcover that can create a lush, weed-suppressing mat just 6 inches tall or so.
Creeping Jenny can spread to a width of up to 36 inches. It does this by producing roots along each stem every 12 to 18 inches, allowing it to form a thick carpet to suppress weeds. When the stems become long and woody, they can be cut into pieces and replanted to propagate the plant in other areas.
Without proper containment, Creeping Jenny can become invasive. Thus it is important to monitor the plant and maintain it in its proper space or container.
Can you root creeping jenny in water?
Yes, you can root creeping jenny in water. Submerge the stem nodes of the plant in a container of water, and make sure the water is deep enough to cover the entire stem. Place the container in a sunny location and replace the water as needed.
Eventually, you may see that the stem will start to grow roots and develop new nodes. When the root system has grown to about 2-4 inches, transplant the creeping jenny into a pot or soil bed and care for it as usual.
Keep in mind that the roots of creeping jenny is fragile and may break easily when wet, so handle the plant carefully when transplanting.
Where does creeping Jenny grow best?
Creeping Jenny, also known as Lysimachia nummularia, is a fast-growing, low-maintenance evergreen groundcover that thrives in moist, humus-rich soil, full sun to partial shade, and moderate temperatures.
It will tolerate dry conditions, but will not thrive in them.
The ideal location for Creeping Jenny is a moist, shady area that is not directly next to trees as it can grow up and spread further into the trees. It can also be grown in dryer locations, but should be watered regularly.
In full sun, it will likely require more frequent watering, however, its foliage can become scorched in hot and sunny climates.
Creeping Jenny can be grown in cold climates, but should be kept covered with a protective layer of mulch in winter. In cold climates, its foliage will often die back in winter and then re-emerge in spring.
While not overly picky about soil composition, Creeping Jenny will grow better in slightly acidic soil with a pH around 6.5. It does not need fertilizing, however, a topdress of compost in the spring may be beneficial.
What’s the difference between creeping Charlie and creeping Jenny?
Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) and creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) may both be low-growing perennial ground covers, however they are different species. Creeping Charlie is a type of mint, while Creeping Jenny belongs to the Primrose family.
Creeping Charlie has heart-shaped leaves that are dark green on the upper side and have white, hairy undersides and creeping stems. Creeping Jenny has round leaves that are bright green and shiny whereas its stems are more rigid and not as easily trailing.
Creeping Charlie is more shade-tolerant, whereas Creeping Jenny prefers partially sunny spots. In addition, Creeping Charlie is most typically used as a dense ground cover, whereas Creeping Jenny can also be used in planters or placed in hanging baskets.
Will ground cover choke out other plants?
Yes, ground cover can choke out other plants if it is not managed properly. Ground cover offers many benefits, such as preventing soil erosion, reducing the need for watering, and preventing weed growth.
However, if it is allowed to spread unchecked, it can become invasive, potentially smothering and out-competing other plants in the garden. To prevent this, it is important to choose the right type of ground cover and to be aware of its growth habits.
Ground covers should be chosen and planted carefully, keeping in mind the size and vigor of the species to ensure that it does not overtake other plants in the area. Additionally, during the growing season, it is important to control any vigorous growth of the ground cover by regularly pruning and removing dead plant material to prevent overgrowth.
Can you put impatiens in a pond?
Yes, you can put impatiens in a pond. Impatiens, also known as busy Lizzie, have become popular as pond edge plants due to their easy-care nature and beauty. Impatiens require full sun to partial shade and a slightly acidic soil with good drainage.
They are not tolerant of cold temperatures and can only survive in warmer climates when placed in a pond environment. When planting impatiens in a pond, it is important to consider the depth of the water and use plants with appropriate depth ratings.
Impatiens can be planted in beds or pots in shallow areas of the pond, with the water just reaching their crowns at no more than two to three inches deep. The soil should also be kept moist and fertilized regularly to promote healthy growth.
For optimum health and blooming, be sure to place impatiens in a sunny spot away from strong wind and direct rain. As with any pond plant, it is always advisable to monitor their health and watch out for any signs of disease or plant stress.