When you purchase through links on our site , we may earn an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it works .
Creeping jenny , also called Lysimachia nummularia , is a long , crawl plant that can open very doggedly . It is often false for creeping charlie . Only progress to about 2 inches ( 5 curium . ) in acme , this industrial plant can grow to 2 feet ( 61 centimeter . ) long and has an unusually extensive solution system . Once it starts to mature , it can be hard to get rid of , and plants that get in its elbow room will be press out of the way or killed . Because of this , you should get disembarrass of creeping jenny as soon as you see it unless you want it to cover the earth in a place where nothing else get . Keep reading to watch more about how to get free of creeping jenny in the garden .
With its speedy growth and unfold abilities , crawl Jenny is renowned for its potential drop to invade gardens and buy the farm out neighboring plants . This aggressive groundcover trigger disputation among gardener – is it an attractive accent , or a scourge ? Here we dig into the plant ’s invasive trait and best practices for protect other vegetation .
Overview of Creeping Jenny
Known botanically as Lysimachia nummularia , creeping Jenny is a low - grow repeated ground cover that distribute via creeping stems that ascendant at nodes Its round , coin - shaped leaves give rise to its other common name – moneywort
aboriginal to Europe , this adaptable plant expand in moist soils and filtered sunshine . leave unchecked , sneak Jenny take form dull mats that dominate its surroundings .
While valuate for its foliage and yellow flowers creeping Jenny ’s aggressive maturation habit reach it a controversial choice for mixed gardens and landscapes .
Does Creeping Jenny Kill Other Plants?
The short resolution is yes – creeping Jenny can potentially kill or damage nearby flora in several ways :
crowd out – By speedily forming dense lusterlessness , creep Jenny occlude sunlight and monopolise nutrients needed by other plant .
Strangling – The stem root wherever they touch ground , sometimes encircling and strangling other industrial plant stem .
Allelopathy – crawl Jenny may release toxins that stamp down other plants ’ growth . However , more research is involve to support allelopathic issue .
Harboring pests / disease – Dense creep Jenny spot can increase humidity and harbor damaging fungi and louse .
So left uncontrolled , this fast-growing creeper will certainly compete with and suppress neighboring works . Outright killing may pass indirectly , via depriving other plants of light and nutrients .
Tips for Managing Creeping Jenny Among Other Plants
situation carefully – Plant creeping Jenny away from rare , fragile plants . Give it place to roam without bear on prized specimens .
apply barrier – Edge beds with metal , thick charge card , or masonry to block pussyfoot Jenny from occupy other area .
Amend soil – fend off excessively rich land which accelerate creeping Jenny ’s growth . sum up sand or gravel to improve drain and dim spreading .
Watch border – Monitor edges on a regular basis and cut back back or dig out shoot impinge on weaker industrial plant .
Allow competition – works specimens that naturally compete well almost grovel Jenny , like ivy , vinca , or other vigorous groundcover .
Prune often – Cutting grovel Jenny back 2 - 3 clock time per year kerb its spread and prevents choking out nearby plants .
Employ chemical guardedly – Spot - kickshaw crawl Jenny with weed killer , taking great care to avoid harm other plants .
With attentive direction , it is possible to keep creeping Jenny under ascendancy among your other garden plantings .
Alternatives Less Prone to Invasiveness
For gardeners unwilling to battle creeping Jenny ’s spread , safer groundcover options share its virtues without the aggressive growth . Consider these crawl Jenny alternatives :
Sweet woodruff – Fragrant blanched flower on a miserable carpet of green parting . Tolerates shade .
Creeping phlox – A aboriginal creeper with colorful spring blooms . gap slowly .
Creeping thyme – The aromatic leaf and flowers thrive with little care .
Irish moss – dull mossy growth in green or gold tolerates traffic once constitute .
Ajuga – know as Lycopus virginicus , the carpet of grim flower spikes take some metrical unit traffic .
Dichondra – A gentle spreader with silver clam - like foliation . Often used as a lawn option .
Mazus reptans – Soft mats of small leaves splash with blue and snowy spring flowers .
Lobelia siphilitica – This well - behaved perennial has vivid blue late - summer blooms .
While not as tight - grow as creeping Jenny , these plants offer comparable functionality without the ruthless invasiveness .
Frequently Asked Questions About Creeping Jenny
Here are answers to some usual questions about managing this notorious creeper :
Q : How speedily does creeping Jenny diffuse ?
A : With ideal shape , creeping Jenny can spread up to 3 feet ( 91 cm ) per year via its creeping stems . It spreads quickest in moist , nutrient - rich soil .
Q : Will creeping Jenny recurrence after remotion ?
A : Its tenacious roots will likely resprout after remotion . Repeated manual remotion and monitoring for regrowth is involve to amply carry off .
Q : Is creeping Jenny cervid insubordinate ?
A : Deer tend to avoid creeping Jenny , making it a salutary pick for deer - prostrate areas . However , it may attract rabbit skimming .
Q : Is creeping Jenny invasive ?
A : While native to Europe , creeping Jenny ’s strong-growing spreading habit allows it to intrude on and disrupt native ecosystems in North America and elsewhere .
Q : Does creep Jenny pull in pollinators ?
A : The undimmed yellow bloom provide nectar for bee , butterflies , and other pollinating insects . Keep it control to avoid crowding out more appealing native wild flower .
Conclusion
Creeping Jenny ’s vim brings both benefits and risks in the garden . With knowledge of its habits and proactive direction , you may preclude this strong-growing grower from master your landscape . Careful siting , contention from other plants , and persistent pruning are fundamental to keeping creeping Jenny in checkout among your other botany .
Best Way to Manage Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny control is not always well-to-do , and it ’s not always quick . If the plant is establish in your railyard , it may take two mature seasons to annihilate it . The estimable method acting of cower jenny ass ascendency is a combination of physically removing the plant and applying herbicides . Dig up every fresh works you find and spray an weed killer . newfangled plants will emerge every few weeks – so keep take out them up and spraying . Creeping jenny ’s antecedent are very extensive and cryptical , so it will keep spud for quite some time . If you may , pull plants up before they flower . If you do n’t , they will make a pile of seeds that will spread even quicker . Another method acting of keep in line grovel jenny is starving it of light . After digging up all seeable plant , lay down a thickheaded layer of mulch or opprobrious charge plate . With any fortune , this will keep the roots from putting up newfangled shoots and eventually pour down them . You might be able to get the same result by planting hardy plants that do well in your region , like aboriginal grasses . These should stand up to the creeping jenny good and help keep it from produce light . Note : chemical substance ascendence should only be used as a last repair , as constituent approaches are more environmentally well-disposed .
