Creeper

Hi all.
I have a small stream going into a small pond.
At the head of the stream is a rock that I drilled to take the water pipe.
I want to plant something at the back of the rock that will grow up and over the rock covering the pipe and most of the rock so it looks like the water is pouring through the plant.
I thought I had found the perfect thing, Creeping Jenny, then I read just how invasive it can be.
I have just got rid of an invasive alpine so I don't want that to happen again.
Any suggestions of something that looks as good as the Jenny without the invasion?
Thanks in advance.

 

to GC Lewie

Water gardening isn't really something I know much about, but I think @pete or maybe @ARMANDII or possibly @kindredspirit may have some suggestions for you.

I have grown Creeping Jenny and I do like it. I don't think I lived long enough at the houses with the gardens I've had it in to give an informed opinion on how invasive, or not, the plant might be.

Hopefully someone will be along to answer your query soon

 

My suggestion would have been Creeping Jenny. I haven't found it to be too invasive and anyway, it's easily controlled.

There's Pratia Pedunculata but that's invasive. I presume you're looking for something low growing?

 

I tend to think any plant that is easy to grow and propagate could be described as invasive.
I think the word invasive is used too much to describe an easy growing plant that will get out of hand, if you let it.
Having said that, most really invasive plants are classed as weeds.

I'd be inclined to say plant it and see what it does.

 

Wouldn't a small-leaved Ivy fit the bill for evergreen cover? The one sold as part of 'compositions', think it's called 'Glacier', is very pretty.
Euonymous fortunei has several cultivars that spread well, too.
A less well-known 'creeper' is Acaena. There's a stunning blue-leaved form that has attractive red burrs as a bonus.

 

Thanks for the replies all.

Armandii, that's looking a bit advanced for me, must try harder.:-) any chance of naming the plants picture by picture as those are the types of things I want.

As 'm', kindrespirit and pete have given the thumbs up to Jenny I think I will give it a go as it's what I've been after for a while.

noisette, I'm not a fan of ivys I'm afraid. But thanks for the suggestion.

BTW, the invasive alpine I had was called Ajuga reptans (burgundy glow).
I couldn't believe what it did.
Smothered all in it's path, and entangled taller plants.
I tried controlling it but no matter what I did it reapeared.
I had to dig all plants up to disentangle it and sieve the soil to get rid of the runners, hence my caution for any more invasive beasts.
Creeping Jenny looks less aggresive.

While I'm at it, another suggestion please.
I want two planters (one either side of the front door (though it's actually on the side of the house).
Apart from buxus what else could go in them that stay looking good year round and stays 'within' the planter area. It's a shaded area.
Thanks

 

Hi Lewie,

Can't comment on your pond, sorry .

But, for your two planters have you seen Ilex Crenata also known as Japanese Holly ?

It's similar to Box but has tiny greenish yellow flowers and berries. It's very easy to train into any shape you want.

Also, Sarcocca ( common name Wintersweet ), which has lovely scented flowers during the Winter ( ours is just coming into bud ).

Other than those how about herbs such as Bay or Rosemary.

All of these are evergreen so provide interest during the Winter.

During the Summer you could underplant them with summer bedding or small perennials.

 

Thanks Armandii, very helpful. Been to a garden centre today to have a browse.
I've posted a few picks.
First one is the back of the rock, plenty of soil. I would remove the light coloured rock, plant the Jenny and possibly plant a lower growing beast behind it.


The second picture is the rock
side on and the third is where I want it to spread out and dangle over the edge so the water is spilling through it.




The fourth is the whole thing, as you can see it's in need of plants. I want some shrubs near the fence with some grasses or whatever nearer the stream.


The fifth is another area I want planting wit something that will hide the pipe.
Obviously I can't do anything yet as it would disturb the duck family :-)



Anthony, thanks for the suggestions, I saw a couple of them at the garden centre.
I had thought of herbs but most need sun and it will be shaded most of the day.
I really liked the look of lavender but again it says sun :-(

 

H
Ave you lost your glasses again ?
Have you felt on top of your head, that's where they were last time, remember

 

OOOOPs!
My bad!

 

Some suggestions for the two pots.

Sarcocca as per Anthony Rodgers.

Bowles Mauve wallflower. Mine have flowered 365 days of the year for 4 years. They seem to like their pots. (Fill with poor soil.)

and here's an unusual one but it works for me. The size of the pot controls the size of the plant........Cortaderia Richardii.

My preference would be for Drimys lanceolata. Fabulous in a pot. Mountain Pepper Bush.