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Creeping Jenny Ground Cover Under Roses

10 years ago

Hi, I am new to the forum. Wanted to get opinions on growing Creeping Jenny under/around my roses. The roses seem to be struggling for the past year but I haven't been diligent in doing all I should to keep them healthy so not sure if appropriate to blame on creeping jenny. Any thoughts??

Featured Answer

AquaEyes 7a NJ

10 years ago

I'd suggest ripping out as much of it as you can find, then laying down sheets of cardboard (or newspaper in layers at least four sheets' thick) over the ground. Overlap the sheets so there are no gaps between them. Top the cardboard/newspaper with at least two inches of mulch, and leave it for a few months. Any creeping Jenny that still emerges should be pulled ASAP, or spot-treated with Round-Up by painting/wiping it directly on the leaves (avoid spraying which might travel to plants you want to keep). In time (if you're in a wet climate), the cardboard/newspaper will break down, but by then, the creeping Jenny will have been smothered to death. Additionally, any weed seeds falling onto the mulch will be prevented from getting to the soil by the cardboard/newspaper, and can be pulled very easily if they sprout.

Once the creeping Jenny is gone, consider other short-growing plants to fill the ground. Low-growing Sedums were mentioned, but there are many others. Consider Prunella, Thymus, various short-growing Campanula and Geranium, Dianthus, Lithodora, Lamium, low-growing Nepeta or Salvia or Veronica, etc. Also consider self-seeding annuals for this "job" -- their root systems won't become as substantial as perennials, and if you don't like them or if they start spreading too much from year to year, just keep them from flowering/seeding and there won't be a new generation.

:-)

~Christopher

Comments (8)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
10 years ago
creeping jenny does use a lot of water. What kind of problems are your roses having? That would help pinpoint the cause.

In general, roses don't compete well with other plants. They need root space of their own.
Rieppe123
Original Author
10 years ago
I have occasional issues with yellowing leaves and black spots - both of which I dealt with before the Creeping Jenny took hold. I feel like, overall the plants are not as full and not producing as many buds as in the past. I do have drip irrigation around the plants.
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lainey2 VA
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Creeping Jenny has very deep roots and is very hard to get rid of. It has its place in a self contained area bordered by concrete or asphalt, but I would never put it under roses. Sorry. You have a real problem.
unbiddenn
10 years ago
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User
10 years ago
Oh dear - this is a bit of a 'mare. Starts off OK but give it a few years - not remotely like a creeping campanula or sedum. Best grown on pond edges (if you must) or kept within bounds in a pot).

I hesitate to suggest Roundup (but I am going to) - just protect your roses with big black bin-bags - do it now before the roses leaf up). It is hard to try to dig it out and is really resistant to mulching.
wirosarian_z4b_WI
10 years ago
I'd say "no" to Creeping Jenny as a ground cover in a rose bed. It is a very aggressive plant & with all the water, fertilizer & amended soil we put in our rose beds, it would explode. I have a small planting of CJ in a confined area, concrete foundation wall on 2 sides & a retaining wall on the other 2. I have to be very diligent to keep it from tumbling over the retaining wall & establishing in the lawn below.
Rieppe123
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all very much. Unfortunately the CJ is quite established (I think I put it in about 2-3 yrs ago). As soon as the weather is conducive I will try to eradicate. I'm planning to do what "campanula" suggested. If anybody else has suggestions on how to get rid of it differently please let me know. Thanks again!

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