Creeping Charlie

Lysimachia nummularia (Primulaceae) is a vigorous, prostrate, semi-evergreen perennial native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It grows flat along the ground, rooting at the stem nodes and spreading indefinitely to form dense mats. The opposite leaves are distinctively rounded (coin-shaped), giving rise to the common name moneywort. Cup-shaped yellow flowers with red dots (about 2 cm across) appear singly or in pairs at the leaf axils in summer, though blooming can be sparse.

Creeping Jenny thrives in sun to part shade on moist to wet soil, tolerating occasional flooding and a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. It adapts to clay, loam, sand, and rocky substrates. The golden-leaved cultivar 'Aurea' is less aggressive than the species and widely grown for its chartreuse to yellow foliage. The species is considered invasive in wet habitats in parts of North America. It works well in containers, hanging baskets, and along pond edges where its spreading habit can be managed. Hardy in Zones 3a to 8b.