9 Creeping Jenny Companion Plants: The Perfect Additions

The perfect creeping Jenny companion plants are usually hardy plants that can withstand a little competition and grow as fast as creeping Jenny of the Primulaceae family.

As their name indicates, creeping Jenny or Lysimachia nummularia and cover a lot of ground once they’re planted, and as a result, they are a very invasive species.

This invasiveness makes it very difficult for most plants to survive around them. Let’s get into the list of plants you can pair with Creeping Jenny in your garden.

List of Creeping Jenny Companion Plants

Most ornamental plants are hardy and can grow as fast as creeping Jenny. The creeper plants can easily choke and kill them. Hence, they can survive alongside them whilst adding beauty and diversity to your garden.

1. Japanese Blood Grass

The Japanese Blood grass is its common name, but it is also known as Cogon grass or Red Baron. In addition, scientifically you may find the name as impereta Cylindrica.

– Origins

The perennial ornamental grass is indigenous to Asia, Australia, Africa, and Southern Europe. It has since been introduced to the Caribbean and several parts of the Southeastern United States.

– Benefits 

The Japanese Blood grass is the perfect companion plant for golden creeping Jenny. They have a distinctive blood-red foliage color at maturity, which is the reason for their name. These plants will add texture and character to your garden. They may also serve as ground cover.

– Growing Seasons

Japanese Blood grass grows very well from March to May and September to November (during Spring and Fall). Its bright green foliage turns light red in the summer, and the color deepens to a darker red in the fall. The grass grows best in hardiness zones five to nine.

– Growth Requirements

The Japanese Blood grass is so easy to grow. Even a beginner gardener will have no problem with it. The grass grows in clumps and spreads rapidly under perfect conditions. Red baron thrives in full sun, and sometimes, partial shade is required.

As drought-tolerant plants, Japanese Blood Grass requires very little moisture. It’s best to ensure the soils are well-drained and not water-logged. Also, the plants do well in loose sandy soil. They do not require extra nutrients from fertilizers, and doing without them is best to prevent their aggressive spread.

It’s important to note that Japanese Blood grass can also become Invasive, so it should be monitored properly to prevent it from getting out of hand.

2. Daylily

The Daylily plant is another great example of the Creeping Jenny Companion Plant. They are perennial flowering plants that would also be called Hemerocallis. 

– Features

These plants produce brightly colored flowers in their blooming seasons. There are several varieties, most of which are pest and drought-resistant. Day Lilies, unlike their namesake, sprout from fleshy roots. 

They can grow as tall as four feet and are a nice addition to gardens. It is important to note that some varieties of the plant are considered environmentally dangerous, and as a result, you should make your choice carefully.

– Advantageous Addition

Day Lilies are easy to grow, and they require very little maintenance. ”Day Lily” is an apt name for the plant, since its flowers only last for a day, after which they fall off.

However, several flowers on the same plant bloom in quick succession, keeping the plant colorful in the flowering season. Imagine the picturesque garden you’ll create when you plant creeping Jenny with them.

– Growing Seasons

Most varieties of Daylilies grow well in hardiness zones three to nine. Several types of these lilies howeve, bloom from mid-spring and even till late fall.

– Growth Conditions

Daylily is a full-sun perennial. Growing it in full sun enables the plant to produce flowers of different colors of yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple varieties. This means that the plants grow well and thrive in full view of the sun. Note that, just like Red Baron, they require well-draining soils to grow well.

3. Tickseed

The Tickseed or coreopsis are indigenous to America, various species of the plant are distributed around the world, with some growing as annuals and others as perennials.

– Features

Tickseed is a gardener’s favorite, and this is true because of the brightly colored flowers they produce and also because of their ability to grow in almost any type of soil.  

Tickseed plants are wonderful in bouquets and flower arrangements. Their flowers are daisy-like with bright hues of Red, Gold, Yellow, and Orange. These bright colors pop with other colors of flowers in a floral arrangement.

– Growing Seasons

It’s easy to propagate Creeping Jenny with Tickseed because they both bloom in early spring. The blooms from both plants can make any dull garden or space come alive. Also, during the flowering season, their flowers attract a wide array of harmless insects and birds, like butterflies and hummingbirds. This will add to the allure of your garden.

– Growth Requirements

Most Tickseed varieties will do well in full sun; however, in areas that are hot during summer, a little shade might be helpful to protect them from the heat. Tickseed is a hardy plant that can survive in almost any soil type. Note that they can thrive in rocky or sandy soils as long as they are well-drained, because this is the key requirement for them to thrive in.

Additionally, because of their versatility with soils, Tickseed can be planted in plant beds and borders, rocky gardens, cottage gardens, and even meadows.

4. Mexican Feather Grass

These creeping Jenny companion plants are an Invasive species. Nassella tenuissima is also known as fine-stem needlegrass, fine-leaved Nassella, or Argentine Needlegrass. 

– Advantageous Growth

The plant grows wildly in parts of Northern Mexico, Argentina, and the Southwestern United States. If you choose to grow creeping Jenny with them, you can expect healthy competition between the plants as they are both fast-growing plants. 

– Features

Mexican Feather Grass is loved amongst most gardeners and landscapers because of its elegance and the way it stands. The plant cascades out on all sides like a fountain. Growing it with golden Creeping Jenny in your backyard will add some texture to the landscape.

– Growing Seasons

All summer, you can expect your Mexican Feather Grass to bloom with silvery-green, thread-like leaves. These thread-like these turn a beautiful golden-brown shade during the fall season.

– Growth Requirements

Mexican Feather Grass are very low-maintenance ornamental plants, as they don’t require much care and can grow in almost any soil type. In addition, it’s almost certain that they can thrive in whatever kind of soil you have in your garden. Irrespective of the type of soil, however, it must be moist and well-drained.

Note that these elegant greens would they grow well in hardiness zones seven to eleven. Also, Mexican Feather needs very little shade, and most require full sun exposure to grow properly.

5. Bamboo 

Most Gardeners and even homeowners have a love-hate relationship with Bamboo especially if they are placed in a terrarium. Most can’t decide if they really love the plant or hate it. 

– Pros

Some bamboo are manageable, and their tall shoots will make them great to pair with low-growing creeping jenny. If you adjust it with the ideal soil, it will thrive and show some grace in your home near your Jenny creeper.

– Cons

The reason for the hate is that most bamboo species are very invasive, even more so than creeping Jenny’s. 

– Best Growing Season

The best time to cultivate Bamboo is during spring, just after the snow disappears, when the soil is workable. This gives the new bamboo plant time to adapt to the next cold season.

– Growth Requirements

Note that the Bamboo prefers moist, and well-drained soils that are neither dry nor waterlogged, to be specific. The type of care you give to your Bamboo will depend on the variety of Bamboo you have planted. On another note, most bamboo species prefer full sun, while others can be grown in some shade.

6. Coral Bells

Coral bells, also known as Alumroot or Heuchera, are indigenous to North America. They are evergreen perennials that produce flowers with stunning colors. Most varieties of Coral bells are cold-hardy and can be paired with Creeping jenny in pots over winter to give a beautiful landscape.

– Features

Coral bell leaves can be Green, purple, burgundy, and even silver. These plants will pair well with Creeping Jenny indoors in pots or in outdoor gardens. They produce blooms that look like tiny bells. 

– Benefits

The bell shape of the flowers encourages pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies to perch on them. While Coral bells have pretty flowers, they’re mostly grown for their breathtaking foliage.

– Growing Seasons

The best time to plant Coral bells is between late spring and early fall. Remember that planting during this period produces the most beautiful Coral bells with lush foliage.

– Growth Requirements

As beautiful as they can be when grown under the right conditions, coral bells might be difficult for beginner gardeners to grow.

They require extra care when they’re freshly planted. Most varieties of Coral bells require full to partial sun exposure. It is important to note that in hotter climates, these plants do well in partial shade, as full direct sunlight can affect their foliage.

Nonetheless, you should consider the type of soil you have in your garden before thinking about getting coral bells, as they prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. The importance of well-drained soils to Coral bells cannot be overemphasized. 

Leaving the plants in damp soil can cause them to develop annoying fungal diseases. However, having soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH are ideal for growing these beautiful bells.

7. Bee Balm 

Bee balm is part of the Monarda species, and it is a flowering plant native to North America. It is also widely known as bergamot, horsemint, or Oswego tea. There are several species of Bee balm, some of which are annual plants, while others are perennials. They complement creeping jenny with flowers that are brightly colored.

– Features

Bee balm plants grow flowers with tubular petals. The pink, purple, scarlet, or white flowers bloom throughout the summer. The flowers are the major attraction of the plant, as the leaves are not particularly appealing. As the name implies, Bee balms attract bees and other pollinators.

– Growing Season

Bee Balms are usually best planted during spring or fall. Their flowers provide a spectacular view paired with Creeping Jenny, especially during summer when they’re in full bloom.

– Growth Requirements

Bee Balm plants do well in nutrient-rich soil. To improve the soil quality in your garden, you can mix some compost with the soil, the reason is that this will help the overall outcome of your Bee Balm.

These plants require fertile, well-draining soil, as with most companion plants. They grow well in full sun areas and require very little watering, however, note that if you’re a newbie gardener, you might be tempted to water your Bee Balm plants daily. That’s completely unnecessary and can even be terrible for your plant.

8. Barberry

The barberry is also known as berberis vulgaris, and they are commonly known because they grow pretty much all over the world, like in South America, North America Asia, and Europe. The require similar growth conditions as the Jenny, hence they are great companions.

– Features

Barberries are evergreen shrubs that can grow up to eight feet tall. They have vividly colored leaves in shades of yellow, burgundy, and green. The leaves of the traditional Barberry plant are usually green. However, their leaves change from Green to more interesting colors during the fall season.

Besides its brilliantly colored leaves, one of the appeals of the Barberry plant is that it requires very little maintenance. Note that with little to no trimming, the shrub keeps a beautiful shape and doesn’t grow wild. 

– Growing Season

Barberries are best planted anytime from late spring to late summer. The soil is typically soft enough to work during these periods. As a result of the summer heat, planting is always best done in the early morning or late evening.

– Growth Requirements

Barberries are hardy shrubs that can withstand a lot of conditions. Barberries thrive under the full sun; however, they are hardy enough to survive under partial shade. They do well in well-drained soils.

9. Sedge 

Sedges are another plant that you can pair with Creeping Jenny in your garden, as they are ornamental grasses. There are several varieties found all over the world. 

– Features

The plant has a grass-like feature, with tiny flowers shooting out from its slim stems. These flowers are usually brown or Black.

Sedges are hardy and resistant to drought. They’re plants similar to creeping jenny in this respect. They are easy to cultivate and require very little upkeep. There are different varieties of the plant to choose from, all of which add some texture and depth to the landscape.

– Growing Season

Different varieties of sedge can be planted in different seasons. The best time to plant the cool weather varieties is in fall, and the warm weather varies are best planted in fall or spring. The most important thing is to note the variety you have or want to grow and wait for its perfect growing season.

– Growth Requirements

Sedge plants can grow in almost any condition. With over 1000 different species, you will find sedges that grow in light availability and soil moisture extremes.

This means some species of sedges require full sun conditions, while others thrive in full shade conditions. Also, some species can thrive in moist soils, while others can thrive in dry soils.

Conclusion

On their own, creeping jenny plants are stunning. However, paired with one or more of the plants listed in this article, they’ll take your landscape to a new level. It’s important to note that:

• Creeping Jenny are invasive plants, so picking an equally stubborn plant is important, so their companions are one that compliment them.
• The best plants to grow with Creeping Jenny are ornamental plants as they would thrive together.
• Remember that some would be beneficial as they would repel away the pests from reaching the plants.

Now you know all the best plants that can grow next to your Creeping Jenny and they would add stunning colors and some would even be beneficial in different ways too, so which ones will you be matching up?

References

• Sanjay Mishra, Ashutosh Tripathi, Durgesh K Tripathi, Devendra Kumar Chauhan. (November 2015). “Role of sedges (Cyperaceae) in wetlands, environmental cleaning and as food material: Possibilities and future perspectives.” (2015). ResearchGate.
  Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290946831_Role_of_sedges_Cyperaceae_in_wetlands_environmental_cleaning_and_as_food_material_Possibilities_and_future_perspectives_2015
• Dr. Susan S. Han. Using Coralbells as Cut Flowers. University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
  Retrieved from https://ag.umass.edu/fact-sheets/using-coralbells-cut-flowers