Creeping Jenny, Moneywort, Creeping Charlie
Lysimachia nummularia
Family: Primulaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread.
Lysimachia nummularia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Damp situations in pastures and by the sides of streams, avoiding acid soils.
Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain, N. Greece and the Caucasus.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
A tea is made from the leaves and flowers.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The whole herb, used fresh or dried, is antiscorbutic, mildly astringent, diuretic and vulnerary. For drying, the herb is harvested in June. Creeping Jenny is a very good wound-herb, the fresh leaves being bruised and applied externally to the affected area. An infusion is used to treat internal bleeding and diarrhoea.
Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.
Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.
Other
Rating: 3
Can be used as a ground cover plant in moist soils but requires weeding for the first year or so. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way and form a carpet, rooting as they spread.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Container, Ground cover, Rock garden, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moist loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Grows well in marshy soil and in shallow water in pond margins. Prefers a shady position but also succeeds in full sun. Plants are hardy to at least -25°c. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A very ornamental plant. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Invasive, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. This species rarely produces seed in Britain. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Pond; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist, wet, water