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Pennywort Cymbalaria muralis

Other plants called Pennywort:

Previously known as:

  • Linaria cymbalaria
Phonetic Spelling
sim-buh-LAIR-ee-uh mur-AL-liss
Description

The shape of the leaves of Kenilworth Ivy lead to its Latin name cymbalaria.  The rounded leaves look similar to a cymbal, the musical instrument.  Muralis refers to its ability to climb walls.

In nature, it is typically found growing in disturbed locations as well as rocky shores, near buildings and along sidewalks.  It spread by means of its runners which root along its nodes.  The flowers are held upwards on a stalk in search of light.  After the flower is fertilized the stalk will then take on a pendent form to move away from light, forcing the seed into dark crevices where it will germinate.

It is a very short herbaceous perennial that forms a dense mat and is often grown as a ground cover or on rock and wall crevices and along footpaths. It is native to Europe and Asia. It has kidney-shaped medium green leave and tiny blue-violet flowers that resemble snapdragons.  

Honeybees are attracted to the flowers where the yellow 'honey guides' direct the bees to the center of the flower where pollen and nectar can be found.  

In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Mites, snails and slugs occasionally visit this plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Snow Wave'
    Variegated foliage
'Snow Wave'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#low growing#honey bees#herbaceous#groundcover#naturalizes#self-seeding#naturalized area#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#self-fertile#winter damage#foot traffic intolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Snow Wave'
    Variegated foliage
'Snow Wave'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#low growing#honey bees#herbaceous#groundcover#naturalizes#self-seeding#naturalized area#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#self-fertile#winter damage#foot traffic intolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cymbalaria
    Species:
    muralis
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Ground cover
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe and Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Honey bees are attracted to the dainty flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Dense
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The pedicels or dry fruits split open when they ripen. They tend to grow away from sunlight.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blue-violet snapdragon-type flower with a yellow throat and long spurs on a long petiole. Blooms May to Sept. This two lipped flower has a 2-lobed upper lip and a 3-lobed lower lip.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Orbicular
    Reniform
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    1-2 inch long rounded to kidney-shaped green leaves with 3-7 lobes that end with a sharp point. Each is palmately veined and lobed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Rooting at the nodes, the reddish-brown stems grow along the ground, forming a dense mat. They can also scale walls. Rooting takes place at the nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought