How To Stop Creeping Jenny From Taking Over Your Lawn And Garden

Many gardeners are fond of creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), the common, beautiful ground cover that can create chaos in your yard. Yes, chaos in the form of aggressive spreading that has branded creeping Jenny as invasive in nearly a dozen states and classified it among the worst invasive plants to avoid at all costs. The herbaceous perennial spreads rapidly, setting down roots every foot or so while the stems creep along the soil's surface. The plant can also spread by dispersing seeds after its flowers bloom; fortunately it doesn't bloom often. 

As a ground cover, creeping Jenny's spreading and matting habit can help suppress weeds, so it's not without redeeming qualities. Unless you live in states where its sale is prohibited, you can enjoy its beauty and weed suppression properties if you contain creeping Jenny as soon as it starts spreading beyond where you want it to be by removing escaping plants, mulching, and, as a last resort, herbicides. 

Get a handle on the inevitable spread of creeping Jenny early on by keeping an eye on it regularly. If you'd prefer not to use herbicides, start by digging out or hand-pulling any creeping Jenny that has escaped its designated area. The plant's relatively shallow roots make removal fairly easy. You'll need to keep removing it as new plants emerge, especially before it flowers and spreads seeds. In fact, even in areas you want to keep the plant, it's a good idea to remove flowers before they produce seeds. If this process is too labor-intensive or isn't stopping the spread, consider combining physical removal with herbicide spray by applying it every time you take out a plant. The State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management suggests using non-selective glyphosate or broadleaf-specific triclopyr, following label instructions.

Just as mulch can prevent weeds from growing in flower beds, so, too, can it prevent creeping Jenny from spreading. Mulching with a layer up to 4 inches deep on top of the unwanted creeping Jenny can be effective in preventing spread by blocking out light. Also, apply mulch to areas from which you've removed the plant to help prevent regrowth. Remove any remaining creeping Jenny stem pieces before mulching, as they can re-root. 

As an alternative to the most common variety, you may want to consider the creeping Jenny cultivar, 'Aurea', which has golden foliage and doesn't spread as aggressively as the parent plant. You could also limit creeping Jenny to containers, where it makes a lovely spiller plant.