Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a low-growing evergreen plant native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has round, scalloped-edged leaves and bears yellow, five-petaled flowers in spring. Creeping Jenny forms a dense mat of foliage and stems, making it a popular choice for ground cover and garden borders.
Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri) is an aquatic perennial herb native to tropical and subtropical regions. It grows along the water’s edge of lakes, streams, and wetlands and is used as an aquarium plant and a creeping ground cover.
Moneywort has small oblong leaves and bears tiny, pale-blue flowers.
The main difference between creeping Jenny and Moneywort is their habitat. Creeping Jenny is an evergreen plant native to Europe and Asia, making it an ideal choice for ground cover and garden borders, while Moneywort is an aquatic herb native to tropical and subtropical regions and is primarily used as an aquarium plant or ground cover.
Additionally, Creeping Jenny has round, scalloped-edged leaves and bears yellow, five-petaled flowers, while Moneywort has small oblong leaves and bears tiny, pale-blue flowers.
Is Golden moneywort creeping Jenny?
No, Golden moneywort and creeping Jenny are two separate plants. Golden moneywort, or Lysimachia nummularia, is an evergreen perennial native to Europe, Asia and parts of the Arctic, with bright yellow flowers and oblong green leaves.
It is a hardy and drought tolerant plant, but does like humidity and grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Creeping Jenny, or Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, is also known as Golden Creeping Jenny or Moneywort, and it is a close relative to Golden moneywort.
It is a fast-growing groundcover with golden, oblong leaves and small, yellow star-shaped flowers. It prefers to grow in part shade, and although it can tolerate full sun, it is more sensitive to high temperatures and direct sunlight than Golden moneywort.
Does creeping Jenny have another name?
Yes, creeping Jenny is also known as Lysimachia nummularia. This is a low-growing creeping plant in the Primulaceae family, and is native to much of Europe, along the Atlantic and in North Africa. It is an evergreen perennial herb with small and ovate leaves which are a glossy dark green on the upper surface and whitish-green on the underside.
It produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers in the spring and summer and has a scalloped and creeping habit. Common alternative names for it include moneywort, herb twopence, twopenny grass, and creeping Charlie.
Additionally, it is known by other names in various languages, including Gänseblättriges Immergrün, Verdraengtes Gemeines Immerkraut, Vlažník lesklý, and Vlažník lesklý.
What is similar to creeping Jenny?
Creeping Jenny, a popular ground cover, is similar to other low-growing plants. Other plants similar to Creeping Jenny include Lysimachia nummularia (Moneywort), Mazus reptans (Creeping Mazus), Lysimachia punctata (Dotted Loosestrife), Sagina Subulata (Irish Moss), and other low-growing members of the Lysimachia and Mazus families.
All provide a lush foliage with tiny, bright green leaves and a low-growing and spreading habit. These plants are best for hardy ground cover in moist and shady locations, but will even thrive in semi-shady, drier spots as well as areas with full to partial sun.
Will creeping Jenny choke out other plants?
It’s possible for Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) to choke out other plants in a garden if not properly managed. This plant can become quite invasive due to its ability to spread widely and quickly through aggressive runners.
In most cases, Creeping Jenny is best for areas with open space such as in between paving stones or along pathways so that it does not threaten other plants in the garden.
If Creeping Jenny is planted in an area with other plants, the runners need to be removed before they root and spread in order to prevent the plant from overwhelming other species. Furthermore, the surrounding soil should be kept moist to discourage the spread of the runners.
If Creeping Jenny has taken over, it can be removed by hand, but remember to wear gloves as the sap is an irritant.
How fast does Creeping Jenny spread?
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing ground cover that can spread quickly if given the ideal conditions for growth. It can spread 8 feet in one season if provided with plenty of moisture and sunshine. Creeping Jenny can continue to spread for years if taken care for correctly, as it is able to survive even under quite cold temperatures.
In ideal conditions, it may spread as much as 4 feet in a year and become quite thick if not pruned back. It is also a great plant for soil erosion control as its thick leaves help to retain moisture in the soil.
As a ground cover, it provides opportunities to create an attractive border around plants or an attractive ground cover in a landscape.
Should I cut back creeping Jenny?
When it comes to managing creeping Jenny plants, there are several factors to consider before making a decision about whether or not to cut it back. Firstly, you should assess the overall health and size of the plant.
If the plant is overcrowded, has become unruly, or is in decline due to disease, it is likely time to give it a trim.
If the plant is still healthy, then it may be beneficial to not cut back the creeping Jenny. Removing too much foliage can put the plant under stress and could even result in its death. Creeping Jenny is also an attractive plant, with its spreading foliage providing visual appeal and a lush, green look.
If the plant is an attractive feature in the landscape, it may be better to leave it be and enjoy its beauty.
Furthermore, if the creeping Jenny is in an area near a garden bed, walkway, or sidewalk where its spreading could become a nuisance, then cutting it back can be a wise decision. Pruning can help keep the plant in check and maintain a neat, manicured look.
It is important to only remove healthy, dead or dying branches and foliage, as too much cutting can weaken the plant.
Ultimately, cutting back creeping Jenny should be based on whether or not it is benefiting the landscape and health of the plant. If the plant is healthy and attractive, cutting it back could cause more harm than good.
However, if the plant is in decline, overcrowded, or is otherwise a nuisance, then it may be beneficial to trim it.
Where does creeping Jenny grow best?
Creeping Jenny grows best in partial to full shade, in consistently moist soil, and in areas of moderate temperatures. It does not perform well in extreme temperatures or below freezing temperatures, and requires minimal fertilizer for optimal growth.
It thrives in wet areas such as near water gardens or ponds, and spreads quickly, so care should be taken when planting it to ensure it has plenty of room to grow. This plant prefers slightly acidic soils, and is especially great for erosion control on sloped areas.
Creeping Jenny is a low maintenance plant, and is relatively disease and pest resistant. It is a versatile, hardy ground cover and is also great planted in containers or hanging baskets.
Can you walk on Creeping Jenny?
No, you cannot walk on Creeping Jenny as it is a type of plant. Creeping Jenny is an evergreen perennial ground cover. The plant has small round leaves that are a bright chartreuse in color, and it is known for producing masses of small yellow flowers between the months of May and September.
One of the advantages of Creeping Jenny is that it can be planted in areas of poor soil or in areas of partial shade and it will still thrive. However, the soft and delicate leaves mean that it is not suitable for foot traffic.
Can Creeping Jenny grow in shade?
Yes, Creeping Jenny can grow in shade. This hardy, low-maintenance ground cover thrives in areas of partial shade, although it will also tolerate full sun. It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil, and requires little supplemental water or fertilizer.
The lush, bright green leaves and bright yellow flowers will brighten up any shady area of your garden, providing an attractive ground cover even in dense shade. It spreads rapidly, and can quickly cover ground, hugging low walls and other structures.
To keep Creeping Jenny looking its best, deadhead flowers regularly and trim and prune plants as needed.