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Wandering Jenny Lysimachia nummularia

Phonetic Spelling
lis-ih-MAK-ee-ah num-ew-LAH-ree-uh
Description

Creeping Jenny is an herbaceous, semi-evergreen perennial in the Primulaceae (primrose) family native to Europe and temperate Asia. It was introduced in North America as an ornamental ground cover then naturalized.  Only a few inches in height, stems branch out and readily root where leaf nodes contact soil, forming a broad mat. It also spreads via a slender rhizome. It prefers moist areas such as wet meadows, seeps, swamps, banks of streams and ponds, roadsides, and ditches but also tolerates drier conditions. In some areas it is considered an invasive weed and ecological threat, as its vigorous growth competes with native species. This plant often does not flower but may produce small yellow cup-shaped flowers at the leaf axils. Although it primarily spreads vegetatively, it can also spread by seeds dispersed through flood waters.

Creeping Jenny can be used in containers, hanging baskets, and rock walls or as a ground cover only where invasive spread is not a concern. It is not a good choice for borders or near lawns as it spreads too aggressively and is difficult to control. 

The Latin species name means “like a coin” and is attributed to the round flat coin-shape of its leaves.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Floricyle Collector’s Garden Asian Garden - Zen Garden Courtyard Garden Herb & Flower Cottage Garden Pitt County Arboretum Containers
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Aurea
Aurea
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#rain garden#pond margins#pond garden#groundcover#wet soils tolerant#garden walls#partial shade tolerant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Aurea
Aurea
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#rain garden#pond margins#pond garden#groundcover#wet soils tolerant#garden walls#partial shade tolerant#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lysimachia
    Species:
    nummularia
    Family:
    Primulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Asia
    Distribution:
    Eastern US (except Florida), West coast US, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    3/4 inch cup-shaped yellow flowers with red dots, at leaf axils. Usually solitary, sometimes in pairs. Rarely blooms.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Green roundish leaves up to 3/4 inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Water Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil