Lysimachia nummularia - Creeping Jenny

Family:	Primulaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.15
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain, N. Greece and the Caucasus.

Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.15m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Creeping Jenny will flower in December to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, self

Soil Information

Creeping Jenny will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Creeping Jenny prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Creeping Jenny can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Damp situations in pastures and by the sides of streams, avoiding acid soils[4, 9].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moist loamy soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Grows well in marshy soil and in shallow water in pond margins[24, 56]. Prefers a shady position[111] but also succeeds in full sun[188]. Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[187]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A very ornamental plant[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
A tea is made from the leaves and flowers[46, 61, 177, 183].

• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole herb, used fresh or dried, is antiscorbutic, mildly astringent, diuretic and vulnerary[4, 9, 46]. For drying, the herb is harvested in June[4]. Creeping Jenny is a very good wound-herb, the fresh leaves being bruised and applied externally to the affected area[4]. An infusion is used to treat internal bleeding and diarrhoea[9].

• 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.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[200]. This species rarely produces seed in Britain[17]. 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[200]. 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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

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[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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