Gardening Sweet Spots
By Donna Hessel
There were clumps of trees growing in my yard, which I edged with rocks and underplanted with shade-loving plants and ground cover. Over the years, moss grew on the rocks and spread beyond the edges where it morphed into the lawn until it reached sun-lit spaces. At the time, moss was considered undesirable in lawns and homeowners were diligent about getting rid of it wherever it appeared. What a mistake! I decided to ignore it and let it spread wherever it would. It stayed green year-round, was too dense for weeds to grow in, required no mowing or fertilizer and filled out shady areas where grass was difficult to keep looking good.
Many years later, I decided to add a rock grouping to define the corner of my front yard. A few large boulders surrounded by pachysandra, ladies mantle, a red barberry focal point and autumn joy sedum for fall interest were added. The area faced north and was shaded by a nearby woods. Soon moss appeared, unbidden, and softened the rock edges. I also edged a garden along the side of the house with used bricks. It was a low spot that stayed moist much of the year, and moss soon grew on the bricks, complementing the forget-me-nots that grew along the edge every spring.
I had an opportunity some years ago to participate in decorating a room in a home in northeast Ohio for a charity fundraiser. One of the designers on the project had the front porch assignment and had included a “moss garden”—various types and shades of green mosses cuddled together on a four-foot diameter tabletop—as a part of her design. She was far ahead of the trend, which is currently gaining popularity with homeowners looking to minimize lawn areas and add sustainable alternatives.
Species of Mosses
According to an article referenced by Gene Bush in “Mysterious Mosses,” there are some 12,800 recognized moss species worldwide. Most easily found in our area is sheet moss (Hypnum spp), which grows in wooded areas and has the best survival rate when transplanted. Cushion moss (Leucobryum glaucum) forms perfectly round, miniature mounds of bright green on top of rocks. And rock cap moss (Dicranum spp.), which grows on stones.
Growing Mosses
Mosses have no root system. Moisture and nutrients are collected from dust and rain or mist in the air. Having no feeder roots allows mosses to grow on rocks and logs, anchored by thread-like rhizoids. Moss spores are almost everywhere. If conditions are right, they move in and establish themselves, as those in my gardens did. Generally, mosses need neutral to slightly acid soil pH. Hard clay is not a deterrent to most species. Because they don’t have a root system, they prefer stream-side locations or moist ground where humidity is high.
Growing a Moss Garden
Creating a moss garden is relatively easy. Designate an area and remove all the weeds. A mix of sand and peat moss is a desirable growing medium and it can be spread over existing soil. Transplanting plugs or divisions on 12-inch centers is the quickest method to establish a garden. Some species grow well in heavy shade, while others do best in more light. Other gardeners in your neighborhood are the best sources of donations as the mosses have been growing in the same area. Just a very small amount of plant material is needed, A Google search will also identify nurseries offering a variety of mosses. The new plants need to be tamped in securely, protected with a cheese cloth cover and watered consistently every week to 10 days. Fertilizer is not necessary, but a weak manure tea does encourage growth. Moss grows slowly, and many methods have been tried to hurry growth along. But only one seems to work reliably. Moss shakes – a slurry of existing moss and water sprayed or spread on the soil or rocks – is a workable method. Chemical fertilizers can, and will, easily burn and kill mosses. Debris and leaves should be kept from collecting on moss. The best time to transplant mosses from one location to another is when humidity and moisture levels are highest and most consistent; i.e., early spring and fall going into winter in our area.
Small Mossy Patches Make a Large Impact
Even a small space of soft emerald green makes an impact. A fallen log or a well-placed boulder are great for hosting a natural looking moss patch. Logs or rocks can be included in an existing shady garden. Cavities can be filled with potting medium; mosses and small ferns, such as maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) or even larger Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides), will find a welcome home there. Small containers of aged stone or hypertufa (molded concrete)pots with mosses are easily maintained with a minimum amount of attention and look perfectly at home immersed among larger stones along a path or in a garden. A bit of color can be added with small plants that form tight clumps, such as primrose (Primula vulgaris), or small bulbs, which will emerge from the moss.
Bring Moss Indoors in a Planter
A planter is a pretty centerpiece or a great garden gift. A shallow container or large glass jar with a drainage hole make good containers. Gather an assortment of mosses, a tiny fern or accent plant, soil or a soilless mix and aggregate, such as pea gravel or turkey grit (for excellent drainage). Add accent pieces – rocks or stones, lichen-covered bark, driftwood, shells, etc. A watering can with a narrow spout or a spray bottle of water will be necessary for adding moisture as needed.
Mix about two-thirds soil to one-third aggregate. Water the mix so hills or contours can be added. If the drainage hole is large, cover it with a coffee filter or piece of window screen to keep soil intact. Mound the soil as desired to create dimension, then arrange accent pieces, fern, etc. in the container. Top with moss in all bare soil areas, tucking edges under the container edge and against the accent pieces. Water well. Use a spray bottle to clean off rocks and accents. Place the planter in a shady area and water when dry.
Mosses play a vital role in local ecosystems by stabilizing soils and absorbing excess water. They absorb carbon from the atmosphere as they release and filter pollutants. And, they create humid micro- habitats for invertebrates, microorganisms and other creatures. Their environmental benefits aside, rich green mosses soothe the senses on both hot summer days and freezing winter days. A close inspection reveals their intricate beauty. Plan to add some moss to one of your gardens this spring!
Text Resources
The Root of It – “Lower the Tempeature with Moss” – K. Edgington, Summit County Master Gardener Online Newsletter, 8-2024
“Mysterious Mosses” – Gene Bush, State by State Magazine 9-2016
The Root of It-“Moss” – K. Edgington, Summit County Master Gardener Online Newsletter, 2-2025
Photos
rock stack-pexels-2150246673-31041196
front corner lot rocks and mossy brick edging Courtesy of Donna Hessel
tabletop moss garden – Moss Acres
rock cap moss-”Mysterious Mosses”
cushion moss – “Mysterious Mosses”
sheet moss –“Mysterious Mosses”
moss on log – “Mysterious Mosses”
terrarium-pexels-495044-1542937
moss spores – “Mysterious Mosses”
