Creeping Jenny: A Beautiful but Problematic Ground Cover
With its cheerful yellow flowers and lush, trailing foliage, creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) might seem like the perfect solution for those tricky bare spots in your garden. This low-growing perennial has certainly made itself at home across North America, but that’s precisely the problem. While it’s undeniably attractive, this European native has some serious drawbacks that every gardener should know about before planting.
What Is Creeping Jenny?
Creeping jenny is a perennial forb that forms dense, spreading mats of small, rounded leaves. This herbaceous plant produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers during summer months, creating a carpet of color that many gardeners find irresistible. The plant gets its common name from its creeping growth habit, sending out long, trailing stems that root wherever they touch the ground.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from Europe and western Asia, creeping jenny has spread extensively throughout North America. You can now find it growing in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and several Canadian provinces including British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Newfoundland.
The Invasive Problem
Here’s where things get concerning. Creeping jenny isn’t just a harmless garden escapee – it’s classified as invasive in Delaware, potentially invasive in Connecticut, and restricted in Wisconsin. This means it can outcompete native plants, disrupt local ecosystems, and spread aggressively beyond garden boundaries.
The plant’s ability to thrive in wetland conditions makes it particularly problematic. It has a facultative wetland status across all regions of North America, meaning it usually occurs in wetlands but can also establish in drier areas. This adaptability allows it to invade sensitive wetland habitats where native plants struggle to compete.
Why Gardeners Are Tempted
It’s easy to see why creeping jenny appeals to gardeners. It offers several attractive features:
- Dense, weed-suppressing ground cover
- Bright yellow summer flowers
- Tolerance for shade and moist conditions
- Low maintenance requirements
- Hardiness in USDA zones 3-9
- Versatility in containers and hanging baskets
Growing Conditions and Care
If you already have creeping jenny in your garden, it thrives in moist to wet soils and tolerates conditions from partial shade to full sun. It’s remarkably adaptable to various soil types and requires minimal care beyond regular watering and occasional trimming to control its spread – which can be quite aggressive.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of risking ecological damage, consider these native ground covers that offer similar benefits without the invasive drawbacks:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) for shady, moist areas
- Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) for sunny spots
- Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) for edible ground cover
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) for evergreen coverage
- Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) for wet areas with yellow flowers
The Bottom Line
While creeping jenny might solve your immediate ground cover needs, it creates bigger problems for local ecosystems. Its invasive nature and ability to escape cultivation make it a poor choice for responsible gardeners. Instead, invest in native alternatives that provide similar aesthetic appeal while supporting local wildlife and maintaining ecological balance.
If you currently have creeping jenny in your garden, consider gradually replacing it with native options. Your local ecosystem – and future generations of gardeners – will thank you for making the switch.
