Lysimachia nummularia
creeping jenny
Overview
Lysimachia nummularia is a low, mat-forming perennial growing 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall with trailing stems 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) long that root at the nodes as they spread. The rounded to oval leaves are 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long, in opposite pairs, smooth and bright green, or yellow-green in the cultivated form Aurea. Cup-shaped yellow flowers about 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) across appear singly in the leaf joints from June to August, each with five rounded petals dotted with small dark glands. Plants spread quickly by rooting stems to form a dense carpet over moist ground and tolerate shallow standing water at pond edges. It roots wherever the stems touch soil and can spread well beyond its intended space. In North America it is listed as invasive in wetlands, where it crowds out native ground vegetation. The mat stays low and evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild winters. Growth is densest in moist, partly shaded sites and thinner in dry soil.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, in damp meadows, streambanks, ditches, and moist woodland. Naturalized in North America and other temperate regions, where it spreads in wetlands, lawns, and along watercourses.Suggested Uses
Used as a groundcover in moist borders, along pond and stream edges, between paving, and trailing from containers and walls, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Suits rain gardens and damp shaded spots where a low carpet is wanted. Listed as invasive in parts of North America, where planting in or near wetlands is discouraged.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from June through August, with peak bloom in early to midsummer. The solitary yellow flowers open in the leaf joints over several weeks. Flowering is sparser in deep shade and heavier in open, moist sites.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to partial shade in consistently moist soil and tolerates wet ground and shallow water at pond margins. Needs steady moisture and declines in dry, hot conditions, scorching in full sun without enough water. Spreads quickly by rooting stems and can overrun small plants and move into lawns and waterways; lift and pull rooted stems to control spread. The golden form Aurea is less vigorous and holds better color in sun. No serious pests or diseases affect it. In regions where it is invasive, it is grown only in contained settings or not at all.Pruning
Shear or trim back runners to keep the mat within bounds and remove stems rooting beyond the planting. Cut back any winter-damaged growth in early spring. Pull out rooted stems where the plant spreads into lawns or water.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons