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are creeping jenny and creeping charlie the same

by Bethany Heaney V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Although they are similar in many ways, creeping charlie is a low-growing weed that often invades lawns and gardens, while creeping jenny is a ground cover plant that is, more often than not, a welcome addition to the garden or landscape. Creeping charlie has four-sided stems that grow up to 30 inches (76.2 cm.).

Creeping Jenny looks a lot like creeping Charlie, but Jenny doesn't have scalloped leaves. Creeping Charlie is a cousin to mint, so it has a strong, minty odor when you crush it. Charlie's leaves are bright green, round or kidney-shaped, and have scalloped edges; its stems grow into thick, carpet-like mats.

Full Answer

What is creeping charlie?

Creeping Charlie is a plant that may also be known as creeping Jenny, gill-on-the-ground, and ground ivy. Cultivated versions of this plant have been used for hanging basket decorations.

What is the difference between Lysimachia and creeping jenny?

Creeping Charlie is sometimes mistaken as creeping jenny, the common name for Lysimachia nummularia. At a glance, the two weeds look alike. But on closer inspection, you'll see that creeping Charlie's leaves have scalloped edges while creeping jenny's leaves do not. Creeping Jenny flowers are yellow.

What does a creeping jenny plant look like?

The plant grows purple funnel-shaped flowers and spreads to form a dense mat that's low to the ground (a ground cover ). Creeping Charlie is sometimes mistaken as creeping jenny, the common name for Lysimachia nummularia. At a glance, the two weeds look alike.

Is ground ivy the same as Creeping Charlie?

Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, has the botanical name Glechoma hederacea. These plants are from a completely different genus, despite their similarities. Creeping Charlie is far more invasive and is classified as a weed in most regions. Will creeping jenny root in water?

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What is another name for creeping Charlie?

ground ivyCreeping Charlie was introduced into North America from Europe by early settlers who thought it would be a good groundcover for shade. A variegated form of the plant is sometimes used in hanging baskets. Creeping Charlie is also known as ground ivy, gill-on-the-ground, and creeping Jenny.

What's another name for creeping Jenny?

moneywortcreeping Jenny, (Lysimachia nummularia), also called moneywort, prostrate perennial herb of the primrose family (Primulaceae), native to Europe. The plant is grown as a ground cover in warm climates and as an indoor hanging plant.

Is it OK to let creeping Charlie grow?

While Creeping Charlie could be a good nectar source for bees, we are not recommending that you let it take over your lawn.

Is creeping Charlie good for anything?

Creeping charlie has a long history of medicinal use. The Holistic Herbal recommends it for sinus problems, coughs and bronchitis, tinnitus, diarrhea, hemorrhoids and cystitis. Its actions are listed as, “Anti-catarrhal, astringent, expectorant, diuretic, vulnerary and stimulant”.

Will creeping jenny choke out other plants?

in height, this plant can grow to 2 feet (61 cm.) long and has an unusually extensive root system. Once it's established, it can be hard to get rid of and will crowd out or strangle plants that get in its path.

Are there different types of creeping jenny?

Types of Creeping Jennys Only two types of creeping jenny plants, 'Goldilocks' and 'Aurea,' are commonly grown. Lysimachia 'Goldilocks' is hardy in Zones 3 to 10 and resists deer. The plants mature at 2 to 4 inches high, spread 12 to 14 inches and have green and yellow foliage.

Should you mow creeping Charlie?

Be careful to not toss any stems or roots into your lawn. They will take root and spread further. Also be careful to not mow over the creeping Charlie unless your mower has a bagging attachment that captures all of the clippings.

Does creeping Jenny come back every year?

Since creeping Jenny is a perennial in USDA zones 4-9, it's hardy enough to survive a cold winter and will return in the spring.

Is ground ivy the same as creeping Charlie?

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederaceae), also called creeping Charlie, is a common lawn weed problem.

Is creeping Charlie clover?

Creeping Charlie and clover are perennial broadleaf weeds. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), a member of the mint family, arrived in the United States via the Europeans for use as a ground cover.

Does creeping Charlie choke out other plants?

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is an invasive weed that will choke out almost anything in its path, including other plants in the flower bed.

Is creeping Charlie toxic to dogs?

This creeping Charlie is a native of the West Indies and South America. It prefers partial or dappled shade, or bright filtered light indoors. It is hardy in USDA zones 9a through 12. The ASPCA poison control website lists this plant as nontoxic to dogs, cats and horses.

What is creeping charlie?

Creeping Charlie is a plant that may also be known as creeping Jenny, gill-on-the-ground, and ground ivy. Cultivated versions of this plant have been used for hanging basket decorations. Creeping Charlie has bright green oval-shaped leaves ...

What does a creeping Charlie vine smell like?

They grow on a creeping stem in four-sided square configurations. These leaves have a distinct minty smell when crushed and the plant produces tiny bluish purple funnel flowers in the spring. Creeping Charlie vine growing down concrete.

Can you keep creeping Charlie around?

As with dandelions, there can be some positive benefits to keeping creeping Charlie around if you find you either can’t or don’t want to remove it from your lawn. Being a member of the mint family, Creeping Charlie has been viewed as a positive herb medicinally and in cooking for centuries.

Can a vine plant be a ground cover?

These long vine-like flowering plants were originally brought to America as a potentially good ground cover plant —which, they are. The problem is that they can be a little too effective of a ground cover and are unfortunately pretty difficult to get rid of. They reproduce with roots at each node as well as with seeds.

Does creeping Charlie help with cancer?

Different cultures use Creeping Charlie to treat everything from regulating menstruation to flushing the kidneys, treating arthritis and rheumatism, healing blisters and sores, and improving the complexion.

What is creeping Charlie?

Creeping Charlie has a square stem that varies in length from a few inches to 2 feet long. The color of its leaves ranges from dark green to purple. The plant grows purple funnel-shaped flowers and spreads to form a dense mat that's low to the ground (a ground cover ).

When to remove creeping Charlie?

When to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie. Depending on your level of infestation and your chosen removal method, creeping Charlie is best removed in either spring or fall. For small patches, hand-pulling in the spring before the plant has flowered is recommended as an initial eradication attempt.

Can creeping Charlie be removed?

Removing creeping Charlie without the use of chemicals is the preferred method for patches that reside near edible plants or for families with children or animals who could be harmed by chemicals.

Is creeping charlie a perennial?

Creeping Charlie ( Glechoma hederacea ), also known as "ground ivy," is an aromatic evergreen that's a close relative of mint. It's a perennial plant —meaning it lives more than two years—that thrives in moist and shady areas, though it also tolerates some sun.

Can creeping Charlie return after hand pulling?

When hand-pulling, remember that even the tiniest piece of rhizome left behind will eventually shoot up as a new plant. In most cases, creeping Charlie will likely return after the first hand-pulling. So keep an eye on the area to catch new plants as soon as possible. It takes determination, but eventually you will wear down the plant and eradicate it completely.

What zone is creeping Jenny?

For those looking for information on how to grow creeping jenny, this low-growing plant thrives in USDA zones 2 to 10. Creeping jenny is a ground cover that works well in rock gardens, between stepping stones, around ponds, in container plantings or for covering hard to grow areas in the landscape.

How to keep creeping Jenny from spreading?

Creeping jenny requires regular water and does well with a little organic fertilizer when first planted. Apply mulch or organic compost around plants to help with moisture retention.

How big does creeping Charlie grow?

Creeping charlie has four-sided stems that grow up to 30 inches (76.2 cm.). The roots of this invasive weed form nodes where the leaves join the stem. Creeping charlie also produces lavender flowers on 2-inch (5 cm.) spikes.

Is creeping Jenny hardy?

Before planting creeping jenny, check with your local extension office to be sure that it is not restricted in your area due to its invasive nature. Creeping jenny is a hardy plant that will thri ve in full sun or shade.

Is creeping Charlie a weed?

Although they are similar in many ways, creeping charlie is a low-growing weed that often invades lawns and gardens, while creeping jenny is a ground cover plant that is, more often than not, a welcome addition to the garden or landscape. Creeping charlie has four-sided stems that grow up to 30 inches (76.2 cm.).

What to do with creeping Charlie?

Early in the spring, you can control creeping Charlie with Scotts® Turf Builder® Triple Action, which will also prevent listed grassy and broadleaf weeds and feed your lawn at the same time. If you don't catch Creeping Charlie until late in the spring or early summer, though, choose Scotts® Turf Builder® Weed & Feed 3 to bring it (and other listed weeds) under control while nourishing your grass.#N#While creeping Charlie is often found in the lawn, you might also find it in other parts of the yard, such as under trees and in garden plots. It prefers damp, shaded areas but will also grow in full sun.

How does creeping Charlie spread?

It spreads mainly by stolons (stems that creep over the ground), though it can also spread by seed. Left unchecked, it can form thick mats in the lawn. Creeping charlie has kidney-shaped, bright green leaves with scalloped edges. In the springtime, it produces purple-blue flowers. When crushed, it produces a minty scent.

What is creeping charlie?

Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a shade-loving perennial that’s grown as groundcover. It’s also sometimes used in containers and hanging baskets because it’s easy to grow and looks lovely trailing over the sides of the pot. But once it escapes the place it’s planted —and it always escapes, thanks to its prolific seeds, ...

What does creeping Jenny look like?

Creeping Jenny looks a lot like creeping Charlie, but Jenny doesn’t have scalloped leaves. Creeping Charlie is a cousin to mint, so it has a strong, minty odor when you crush it. Charlie’s leaves are bright green, round or kidney-shaped, and have scalloped edges; its stems grow into thick, carpet-like mats.

How to get rid of Charlie's roots?

Look for pieces of plant and roots you missed. Use a trowel or weeding fork and poke around in the soil to seek out remaining roots or plants. If you leave a scrap of Charlie’s roots or stems in the area, they’ll grow into a new plant. 6.

Can you pull out a creeping Charlie?

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in many popular weed killers, has been linked to cancer. You can pull Charlie out, by hand, no chemicals ...

Can you pull Charlie out of a weed killer?

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in many popular weed killers, has been linked to cancer. You can pull Charlie out , by hand, no chemicals needed. Yes, you can do this . You’ll just need time, muscle and a commitment to gardening sustainably. Here’s how:

Is creeping Charlie good for erosion control?

It’s good for erosion control. Creeping Charlie grows in shady conditions and in poor soil, so if you have an area prone to washout, creeping Charlie can keep the soil in its place. Pollinators like it. Creeping Charlie’s flowers produce nectar in the spring and early summer that's loved by bees and butterflies.

Is Charlie's leaf edible?

It’s edible. Ask a wild-food forager and they’ll tell you Charlie ’s young leaves have a mild mint flavor and are delicious tossed into salads. Leaves can also be cooked like spinach, or added to soups or omelettes. You can also make a tea from creeping Charlie leaves. It’s a good lawn substitute.

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