PlantFiles: Creeping Jenny, Moneywort
Lysimachia nummularia 'Goldilocks'

I've used this in containers in shade and partial shade. It's a reliable, fast-growing foliage plant that trails over the side of the container. When paired with bright coloured flowers or other rich coloured foliage plants like coleus, it can create an attention-grabbing combination. It's also easy to care for and can withstand all kinds of adverse weather.

Be careful when putting it in the same container with other small, low-growing plants, as Goldilocks can quickly engulf its small companions. If it gets unruly, simply pinch back some of the stems.

I love this plant. It is a great trailer plant in containers. It's bright leaves look great paired up with the dark leaves of the NG Impatiens. If grown in the sun it is a golden color, if grown in the shade it is more of a chartruse color. I had also planted it in a flower bed and was surprised to see it had come back this spring as it was labeled as an annual. It has spread quite a bit and is doing a great job of filling in a bare spot that I don't know what to do with. Tons of small yellow flowers fill the vines also.

Though I do love to look of creeping Jenny, it has been placed on the "do not plant" list in our area (Massachusetts). Some of the wholesalers have been told to pull it off the shelves because of it's invasive nature. I will attest to the fact that it has spread in areas I didn't even plant it due to the reseeding- and I am now pulling it out from all kinds of places. It will not be contained in a container as it will reseed in the walkway, or anywhere else the wind blows!

I've had great success with this plant in my zone 5 1/2-6 garden, sun or partial shade. I have used in extensively as a low growing border plant, intertwined with Lamium. The display of Moneywort's lime green color & Lamiums whiteish/ green color is very effective & shows up particularily well in partial shade where it can be a bit dark if care isn't taken to plant lighter color plants & foilage. Very easy to create new plants by pinching off a 3-4" stem, taking off the lower leaves & planting in the ground where more Moneywort is desired. Do this by mid-August so that plants have time to root properly before the cold weather sets in. I have used Moneywort in containers also along with Lamium to create a cascading effect down a pot. Plants may or may not survive the winter if left in the pots. It's a hit & miss if you try this, although I've had some success with this. A really lovely little lime green plant, easy to grow & no special requirements that I've encountered.

Here in Zone 5B Goldilocks ( Lysimachia ) is being sold as an Annual.....but I've had mine for (2) years now and it's doing great, even threw our Chicago Snow storms with no PROTECTION at all......and it loves to hang over the edge of my Pond or Grow in Pea Gravel or trail from my tall POTS!!....you should see the ROOT System on this small plant....I don't think I'll leave it IN the POND over the winter but set it in the gravel...I'm pretty sure "Goldi" will be back for her 3rd SHOWING in 2003.....she's pretty tough... I've split her in half several times just by slicing through the entire plant with a Sharp knife....after a few days,and lots of water, she perks right up and makes herself at home in her new location. Her bright yellow flowers cover her come late spring/early summer....and they almost look translucent...like BRACTS instead of flowers.....She's a KEEPER!!