If you ’ve hiked woodland lead , you ’ve in all probability stop in awe and knelt to get a closer tone at mound of moss growing on the forest base . Moss is one of nature ’s most low - profile plant . But its small height makes it the most magical .
Moss is singular in its ego - reliance : It requires neither fertilizers nor pesticide . It does n’t have to be mowed or cut back . And it needs little water supply . It ’s like a living green mulch . moss have been around at least 450 million years and are the old plants on commonwealth : They cushioned the feet of dinosaur . And they are ubiquitous : Moss can be encounter on all seven Continent .
David Spain, the moss man
David Spainlives in a moss heaven . The yard surrounding his plate is a verdant moss garden , consummate with urine feature of speech ( moss loves moist spots ! ) and a 10 - human foot - all-embracing moss mound that is only charming . The Raleigh , North Carolina , garden you see above is both tryout garden and homage to the wonders of moss .
David is a moss evangelist . “ It is my passion , ” he say . “ I love this flora . ” If you require a lawn in the shade , moss is honcho .
Why is moss so great?
Moss is low - maintenanceBecause moss does n’t have a root anatomical structure , it does n’t need nutrient from the soil . Moss gets nutrients through its leave of absence — from rain and sunlight . This modest plant does n’t grow out of ascendence or needmowingor pruning . It stays boneheaded , dense — and inadequate . Compared to other lawn options ( we ’re look at you , turf pasturage ) , it ’s totally carefree .
Moss is drought - tolerantOnce it is attached and start to overspread , moss can survive on rainfall .
Moss will grow anywhereMoss takes up abidance and spreads happily where no other plants will ( or can ): on gem , wood , soil , in thick shadiness . In area where conditions are bad for pasture , moss excels . Most mosses do n’t like about filth pH.
Moss can take foot trafficYou can walk , drive a motorcar , or ride a cycle across moss . Here ’s why : Moss can be squished insipid and it will jounce back . But because moss does n’t have deep roots , it ca n’t take active motion : It will rub up off the flat coat . David says backyard moss is not a dependable option for association football - playing Kid or ballock - catching dogs .
Moss is winter - hardyMoss loves being covered by snowfall because it stays hydrous . Moss has a natural antifreeze in it and as soon as it defrosts , it comes out healthier thanks to the supererogatory moisture . It ’s an evergreen mulch . Moss is an ideal mulch option . It ’s unripe , hold moisture , and helps retain the soil . Its distribute nature also helps suppress weeds . And like mulch , moss works as a design component , drawing in the oculus and unifying an area .
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Moss as a lawn replacement
In this garden , moss is a lawn replacement ; it grow happily under large Tree where traditional turf dope ca n’t boom . Growing also betweenstepping stonesand alongside water features , the mosses make a undifferentiated green spirit .
Use moss on more than flat surfaces
But David does n’t just intend in flat spaces . He uses the talents of moss to make multi - dimensional pattern elements in his yard , such as a 4½-foot - marvelous , 10 - foot - wide mound in the photo above . It ’s ramp up with a cinderblock base for constancy . land and wildlife netting give the moss a base to grow on the construction . From a landscape design perspective , the moss mound in the rear turning point of his yard contribute a verdant architectural component . Oh , and it ’s also just evidently magical .
Two types of garden moss
There are two variety of garden moss : acrocarpous and pleurocarpous .
Acrocarpous mosses have a short upright maturation habit . This type of moss acquire foliage that is erect , unbranched , and form a mounded colony . Weeds do n’t have a probability of bulge up in acrocarpous moss because it grow so thick and has tightly packed stems .
Pleurocarpous mosses have a ramify outgrowth habit . This eccentric of moss produce faster than acrocarpous moss , bind to rocks , and does a better problem of growing in rocky reason . Pleurocarpous mosses also regenerate quickly from confused pieces , which makes them ideal for poking here and there amid tilt .
Planting and maintaining moss
David recommend planting acrocarpous and pleurocarpous mosses in separate area in the yard because of their specific lacrimation needs . Acrocarpous moss command less body of water and take longer to establish — 6 to 12 months . Faster attaching and spreading pleurocarpous mosses need steady hydration to establish themselves , taking just 3 to 6 calendar month .
tally moss to an arena of your G ( or supersede your intact lawn ) is soft . It just requires a clean slate on which to establish . That imply clearing the planting region of parting , branches and stick . Scratch up the soil with araketo make it shine and moisten it . Then moisten the moss to make it pliable .
Tips for planting moss in your garden
While moss are establishing reporting , you may need to weed planted area . Simply pull out interlopers until the moss is wooden-headed enough , like living mulch , to discourage weed seeded player sprouting . notice : Avoid taking moss from the wilderness . If you have moss uprise on your holding , you’re able to harvest it with a spatula .
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Best mosses for home landscaping projects:
Fern moss is a versatile pleurocarpous moss that grows on stone , concrete , Mrs. Henry Wood and soil . It covers the moss mound in photo 1 and its strong tissue fork growth substance abuse makes a undestroyable , walkable lawn option . It can withstand drouth once established . Fern moss is also idealistic for using around a H2O characteristic or as a living mulch in a garden . It does best in full shade to part sun and needs regular moisture for governance ( it spread apace with plenteous water ) .
humor moss is an acrocarpous type that changes its looking at with different moisture levels . When wry , it is wispy and irregular . When moist , it sports a fluffy , textural demeanor , as in photo 4 . If you have teetotal wraith , this is the moss to use . It will grow on grunge , Harlan Fisk Stone , or Grant Wood , taking 6 months or more to establish . Mood moss is not a well pick in area with regular foot traffic . maturate it in full shade to part shade . It require minimum wet to get established and is super drought tolerant .
Sheet moss is pleurocarpous , low - growing , and interwoven , which make a consistent surface . It ’s like a carpet . With a medium growth habit and the ability tocoverwood , filth and sometimes I. F. Stone , this moss adapts to a spacious compass of conditions . Its strong woven branching growth makes for a durable walkable moss lawn . Grow sheet moss in full shade to part shade and give it regular moisture when newly plant . Once found , it ’s drouth - tolerant .
Whether you need a moss lawn or simply a Zenlike spot in your garden , moss offer a verdant , blue - maintenance coverage option .
Tips for growing moss in containers
If you do n’t have a spot for moss in your yard or garden , try it in containers . Here are some tips :
select an appropriate containerSelect pots made from moss - friendly medium , such as plastic , ceramic , veteran concrete , endocarp or wood . avert galvanise , atomic number 30 or bull container — mosses are raw to impenetrable metals and some chemical substance .
Facilitate drainageUse a container with ample drainage holes , add crushed rock to the al-Qaida of the container and top with a well - debilitate potting spiritualist .
Combine different moss types — and other plantsMosses with varying textures and shades of greens make right partners . Other moss - friendly flora includeferns , small hosta , mondo grass and miniature Solomon ’s seal . Top off with constituent décor Add a small-arm of Sir Henry Joseph Wood or stone to complement the moss planting .
