A practical way to keep your garden flourishing is through companion planting. This method involves adding various plants to your yard to benefit each other by enriching the soil, attracting pollinators, reducing pests, or suppressing weeds. Many plants thrive with companions, including creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). From marigolds to ferns, here are 14 companion plants for this garden-favorite ground cover.
Creeping Jenny is a ground cover plant with yellow and green leaves and small yellow flowers. It can be placed in sunny or shady parts of your garden and used as a ground cover or even in a large pot with its companion plants. Hanging creeping Jenny plants have dramatic cascading leaves. Fortunately, this plant doesn’t have major pest or disease issues when properly cared for. While companion plants aren’t necessary, they can help it thrive. When planting companions, select options with compatible maintenance and care requirements. You’ll also need plants that can withstand the same climate. Best grown in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 in rich, moist, permeable soil, note that this plant is invasive in many northeastern parts of North America, causing problems near stream banks, roadsides, and lakes.
Begonias
Enhance texture and color by planting begonias as companions for creeping Jenny. With stunning pink, red, white, orange, and yellow blooms, they contrast beautifully with the greenish-yellow ground cover. These low-maintenance annuals thrive in porous soil and semi-sunny garden areas. Various begonias, like Whopper Rose (Begonia x benariensis), complement the ground cover. Since begonias are toxic to humans and pets, monitor them closely when playing outside near these flowers.
Hostas
Popular and versatile, hostas are perfect for an allergy-friendly garden and grow best in zones 3 through 9. With eye-catching leaves, hostas require moist, well-drained soil. They are generally low-maintenance but watch for snails, slugs, crown rot, and leaf spot. They also help suppress weeds. The contrasting foliage and texture of hostas and creeping Jenny create a visually appealing garden look.
Daylilies
Add vibrant color next to your creeping Jenny with gorgeous daylilies (Hemerocallis). Before planting, learn how to care for daylilies. Like creeping Jenny, daylilies thrive in zones 3 to 9 and need moist, well-drained soil to bloom. They are low maintenance and can be planted in any sun exposure. This combo is visually pleasing, and daylilies also help repel pests that may affect the ground cover.
Ferns
Ferns (Pteridophyta) thrive in hardiness zones 3 to 8, like creeping Jenny, and do well in shady areas. Some varieties can grow in zones 2 or 11. With a wide growing range, ferns happily grow in damp soil and even on rocks. Their feathery leaves help the vibrant creeping Jenny stand out. If you struggle to keep them alive, consider using castor oil as an unexpected household staple for rejuvenation.
Coral Bells
Coral bells (Heuchera) attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard. With tall, vibrant red and pink stalks and flowers, they add color and height to your ground cover. These plants have similar growing needs with permeable soil and can thrive in any sunlight. For best results, grow coral bells in zones 4 to 9. They attract pollinators while deterring wildlife like deer from your garden.
Thyme
Thyme is another ground cover plant compatible with creeping Jenny. Ideally grown in hardiness zones 5 through 9, thyme is low maintenance and requires permeable soil. Though creeping Jenny doesn’t attract many pests and weeds, thyme can help eliminate them. Harvest fresh thyme sprigs as needed from this functional companion plant.
Astilbe
Astilbe is a cotton candy-like flower that adds texture to your shady yard when planted next to creeping Jenny. This colorful flower comes in reds, pinks, and whites and adds height, creating dimension to your garden. Astilbe shares hardiness zones 3 through 9 with creeping Jenny and needs moist, permeable soil in any sunshine. They also deter rabbits and deer from your yard.
Hydrangeas
Add a pop of color next to your creeping Jenny with hydrangeas. It’s crucial to know how to grow and care for hydrangeas to enjoy their blooming season. These flowers can grow alongside creeping Jenny, sharing zones 5 to 9, needing moist but well-drained soil, and tolerating any sunlight exposure. Keep in mind that all parts of hydrangeas are toxic to dogs and cats.
Sedum
Plant sedum next to your creeping Jenny for year-round color in your garden. Also known as stonecrop, sedum is a succulent best grown in zones 3 through 9, making it compatible with creeping Jenny. The vibrant succulents provide fun texture against creeping Jenny.
Heavenly Bamboo
Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) brings drama to your yard and thrives in zones 6 to 9. This plant tolerates various soil and sunlight conditions but prefers rich soil. Heavenly bamboo contrasts with creeping Jenny throughout most of the year, even in winter. Note that it is invasive in some southeastern U.S. areas, like Florida and Georgia, and is toxic to cats and other wildlife.
Marigolds
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are annual flowers that thrive in similar conditions to creeping Jenny. Enjoying full sunlight and well-drained soil, these bright orange blooms add color next to the ground cover. Marigolds offer many benefits, including pest resistance, keeping insects away. For larger gardens, strategically disperse marigolds as border plants to benefit the entire area.
Palm Lilies
Palm lilies (Cordyline spp.) add striking visual contrast when planted near creeping Jenny. These plants have vibrant reddish or purplish sword-like leaves that add height to your ground cover. Best grown in zones 9 through 11, palm lilies need moist, well-drained soil to thrive. They attract pollinators, create nesting sites for birds, and are fire-resistant.
Nasturtiums
Attract pollinators to your creeping Jenny while keeping pests away by planting nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) nearby. Grow these annuals in well-drained soil for best results. This brightly colored flower, with cream, yellow, red, and orange blooms, adds a vibrant pop of color next to your ground cover. It can cascade or fill in gaps, blending well with creeping Jenny.
Japanese Barberry Shrubs
Enhance your creeping Jenny with Japanese barberry shrubs (Berberis thunbergii) nearby. This shrub thrives in zones 4 to 8 and requires moist, permeable soil. It can grow in any sunlight exposure. These plants add a striking visual contrast and height next to the ground cover, giving your garden depth and dimension. Note that Japanese barberry shrubs are invasive in the northeastern U.S., including all New England states.
