Growing moss between flagstones


Dear Moss Rock,

Your blog is the funniest and most creative thing I have seen in a while!  I loved the peep picnic photos -ingenious!

I have a very shady area that stays too moist for grass and I want to use flagstone with moss growing between the stone to create a natural patio. How long will it take to get moss growing ?  The spaces are planned to be about one to two inches wide.

 

Dear Beth,

Thanks very much for compliments, I’ll pass them along to Helen and the Peeps!

Growing moss between dry-set flagstone, in a shady area, is a natural combination. In a few years, some moisture, and  you’ll be good to go.

As with any mosscaping, our desire is to speed up the very slow process. Transplanting mosses into the spaces between the stones and following a regular watering schedule can establish healthy colonies in a few months.

Be sure to use pleurocarps and a soil substrate between the stones, especially if the stones were set in sand or stone dust. Even though mosses can eventually colonize a sandy substrate, it is usually after many years of detritus collecting and compaction before the mosses can overcome the shifting of the loose sandy substrate.

Mosses often colonize in harsh conditions where other plants find it difficult, which is why they have survived on this earth for so long. A small strip of soil in a sea of stone or concrete has become the expected home for mosses and where most of us recognize them. However, This natural combination usually occurs over many years or decades while we aren’t watching. Achieving this feat successfully can be as challenging as creating a moss lawn. The little micro-climate created between stones can provide shelter, but also rapidly changing moisture conditions, so pay close attention to a frequent watering schedule to insure the best chances of establishment.

As always with moss, patience is a necessity and even if it looks like some of the moss has gone south, continue to treat it as though it hasn’t. It only takes a few spores or living cells for mosses to regenerate as long as there is moisture to allow for growth.

Best of luck, Beth! – David Spain, a.k.a. Moss Rock.

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Moss Rocks–aging moss in my moss lawn

A blend of Thuidium delecatulum and Hypnum cupressiforme

 

Dear David,

For the past 6 years I have been slowly replacing my grass lawn by encouraging the native mosses in my yard to grow. I have successfully replaced about 75% of my lawn with a lush moss carpet. Unfortunately I’ve began to notice that the oldest mosses have grown so thick (about 3-4″ deep) that they’re starting to die off. Not only do they appear to be suffocating their own annual new growth, but they’re no longer established or attached to the soil (I can lift the moss up like sod). I fear that I may have to tear out this moss and start all over – are there any better solutions?

Jesha

Dear Jesha,

Congratulations on your lawn conversion!

Mature moss colonies continue to gain in thickness as you described. This is natural and self limiting as the older growth becomes smothered and breaks down, creating soil.

When large areas are carpeted, the colonies no longer have access to new territory to spread into, it is the growing edge that has access to soils where rhizomes can attach. Instead, the colony attaches to itself and forms this mat even though direct attachment to the soil isn’t possible, the interconnected mosses hold together and gravity does the rest.

This fact should not be a concern unless animals or some other disturbance is causing dislocation. You can thin the mosses out to encourage new attachment by pulling up a section, removing some of the under-layer moss and stretching the colony out, as though you were going to pull it apart but stopping before it tears completely. This is the same technique to harvest mature colonies and transplant them to new areas, only in this case you can put them back in the same place.

Another technique is to pull a 4 to 6 inch section out with your hands, exposing the soil beneath, then pull the edges of the moss left behind to partially cover the bare area. Water the area well and walk the feathered moss down to make good contact with the soil. New rhizomes will form and the bare spot will regenerate quickly. If done properly, you may not even notice this was done.

As for the mosses starting to die off or the new growth suffocating, that is a different matter. Mosses continually regenerate adding new growth to old, new shoots should not be effected by the previous generations in an adverse way, this is the natural course for acrocarp and pleurocarp mosses alike. Instead I might suggest a different take. When we create a somewhat unnatural growth of mosses by removing normal competition and promoting an homogeneous  carpet, we are also changing the natural cycle. A different approach is to introduce more than one species for a mixed moss lawn. For instance, Thuidium delecatulum can be mixed with Hypnum cuppressiforme or Plagiomnium cuspidatum. Each species will wax and wain at different times of the year, but one will always be thriving. This blending has proven to be the most resilient over the years and offers advantages that a single species cannot. Try introducing some different moss species and see if that doesn’t help with the problem.

David Spain a.k.a. Moss Rock

A blend of Thuidium delecatulum and Plagiomnium cuspidatum

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest
 

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Moss and ant mounds

Dear David,

Ant hills are taking over my moss lawn…is there a safe way to remedy this problem? It seems to be breaking up the moss and leaving spotty areas of sand. It has taken several years to fill and I hate to see it destroyed with ant hills.

So glad to find your website!
Michelle

Dear Michelle,

Congratulations on your moss lawn success! Your ant mound problem may be easy to remedy depending on the scale of the ant population and their activity in the area.

In my experience, ants will usually move their mounds out of an area where they are disturbed regularly. If you frequently water down the mounds, the ants will likely relocate to an area with less disturbance. If this doesn’t suit your needs or you wish to eliminate ants from an area without damaging your moss or using harsh chemical control, I suggest using diatomaceous earth. An ant mound is used as an entry or exit path from the colony below the surface–sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the mound and into the opening will aggravate the ants and deter them from that area without harming the moss.

I have heard of cinnamon or cloves also having an aggravating effect, so that may also be worth a try. Good luck and let me know how you fare.

David Spain a.k.a. Moss Rock

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Moss Rocks! Sun moss


Hello !

I’m REALLY excited to have come across this site: I really love moss but live in sometimes-dry northern California. My climate is a Mediterranean climate, characterized by damp to wet, mild winters and hot, dry summers. And I wanted to landscape my entire half acre backyard with moss that can endure piercing sunlight. My concern is the color: Like the picture at the head of this article, the landscape has a tan color to it. But I have grown an affinity for rich green hues in moss and want to know which moss I should plant that can take the heat but still stay fabulous (green.)

Xia M.

Dear Xia,

I am glad to hear of your enthusiasm, you’ll need it to landscape a half acre with moss! Start by observing local species that are growing in similar exposures to your backyard. Once you have found species that are appropriate, collect some and transplant to your landscape. If you do this at the beginning of your wet season, it will minimize the need to irrigate for establishment.

Capitalize on your successes and continue to fragment and spread until you have developed a section of the landscape. Once you have a healthy patch of moss, you can use it as a nursery to seed other areas. You may also find species that will volunteer on their own if you remove all vegetation, smooth the ground and keep moist for 8 to 12 weeks. When the surface begins to turn green, you’ll know that moss is forming. Best of luck and keep us informed on your progress.

David Spain a.k.a. Moss Rock

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Watering moss terrariums

Dear Moss Rock,

Hi! Let me just say, I’m a huge fan of your blog. Keep up the wonderful work!

Anyway, I have a question about tap water. I have three moss terrariums (all open) and I have been watering for a few weeks with tap water. The moss kept getting progressively browner because my tap water is apparently moderately ‘hard.’ But after some research, I’m starting to collect rainwater and I might even go buy some distilled water.However, will the moss that is already slightly brown bounce back from the damage once I start watering with rainwater/distilled, or should I harvest new moss?

Thanks in advance!

Lauren


Dear Lauren,

Lauren, there are several factors that could effect my advice, what species you are working with and what you mean by brown.

If the species are pleurocarp, then chances of recovery in your terrarium are fair. If the species are acrocarps, to regenerate, they will need the help of Mother Nature.  To do so,  return to the earth for about three months.

If the color brown is dark brown, then too little light or too much moisture is the cause, if pale brown or tan your likely to have too much light or stress from impurities in the water.

You may want to see the post Knowing your acrocarp from your pleurocarp to help determine which type you are dealing with.

It is important to know that not many mosses will survive indoors for long and despite excellent care, they may be doomed. Bringing mosses in for a visit is a better over-all approach to indoor moss gardening than attempting a long term stabile artificial ecosystem.

As for the water source, rainwater is superior to distilled, a better type of bottled water is one filtered by reverse osmosis, which removes chemicals but not trace elements. Good luck Lauren and be sure to share photos of your creations on our Facebook page! page!

David Spain a.k.a. Moss Rock

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Peeps Picnic — 2012


Hi it’s me, Bernard.  I’m in my new role serving as part of the advance team for this year’s Peep Picnic.  I’m here because, as you may have read on our host’s Facebook page – Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, there was a Peep sighting prior to the after Easter pilgrimage.  This was what was reported:

….this just in… the first Peep sighting at The Moss Farm this year! Soon the Peeps will be gathering for their annual Spring Revival. The day after Easter marks their pilgrimage to begin building up their population again for next year. We can’t wait to see who returns and what will happen at this years Peeps Picnic!

You may notice from reading the above we downplayed the early arrival; it is safe to say we put our own spin on the sighting.

It was also reported, This morning a mossaic design was found at The Moss Farm.  It was obviously created by a very high intelligence or some mosstical power. What could this mean?  

The Learned Old Frog called for this procedural change of an advance team to be formed once the mystery of the Hop Circle showed up.

It turns out those ducks were good for something after all. In their continual effort to “impress”(suck up to) The Learned Old Frog so they could be considered a world wonder, they let the leader know what happened.  Our wise counsel immediately knew what to do.

Forming an advance team, The Learned Old Frog asked me to oversee the mission.

My two best P-men, Pake and Plywood, were the first on the scene. As reported on the Facebook page:

We can’t say for sure what the events of yesterday mean, the Peep Circle or code name, The Hop Circle, was first thought to be a close encounter of the PEEPS® kind or the  Faeries playing a little joke on the returning Peeps.

The Learned Old Frog wanted answers to this mystery before the Peeps started to arrive.

In the meantime, the White House released a statement announcing President Obama authorized a covert mission redacting an unnamed suspect and delivering them to the newly formed Peeptanamo detention camp. The unnamed suspect is believed to be involved with the mysterious appearance of a Crop Circle that formed at The Moss Farm last Tuesday night.  Quick action was taken believing it could be another Roswell.

This photo was released Friday by Wikileaks. It shows a rarely seen P-Man interviewing a resident at The Moss Farm.

If you followed the tales of the Peeps at last year’s picnic, you may recall there was a little, ahem, indiscretion between Luther and Nettie. Feel free to take a moment to re-read the accounts of last’s years picnic. When you are caught up, grab a toadstool and let me share with you what happened since we reported last.

SUMMATION FROM LAST YEARS PEEP PICNIC

Toward the end of the 2011 Peeps Picnic, Luther and Nettie, with love in their hearts and erect ears, were last seen taking matters into their own hands escaping down the falls so they could couple.  We later learned they made it to Mellow Yellow, a well known rogue coupling site.

We also learned The Learned Old Frog, originally turning a blind eye to the whole affair, later thought better of it.  He was afraid it would be viewed by others as an OK to go against the long held tradition of assigned coupling.

A FRESH START

Luther and Nettie’s punishment was no further coupling (with anyone) during their three-month stay. After this time, Nettie and Luther were brought back into the fold and were able to offer themselves for sacrifice for Easter next year.

And so the story goes, Luther was packaged up but Nettie wasn’t needed.  However, there was an interesting turn of events. Instead of being eaten, Luther was part of a package that had a hole it.  When the humans got home and realized it, they threw the Peeps in the trash. Luther decided to run for it.

It wasn’t easy getting out of the house with the dog nipping at his tail but Luther managed to get away.

Hitching a ride was easy. Being a Peep has it’s advantages to easily opening doors.

Luther spent the year traveling the globe touring of the 8 wonders of the world.  During his journey,  he hooked up with a traveling gnome, Larky and together they got into all types of shenanigans. Luther and Larky decided to do a little mosschief and come to The Moss Farm early to create the Hop Circles before the gathering.

TROUBLE AWAITS

Little did Luther and Larky know but the nature of their prank was on the radar of the the Human Government. They take these circles very seriously.

I have it on good authority the government knows who is behind crop circles. As soon as one is viewed from a space satellite, action is taken.  They took Luther into custody for fear he was really the offender who had transformed himself into a Peep.

 

Larky the gnome was horrified his friend was detained.  He immediately called The Learned One telling him of Luther’s fate, who then responded by calling in the P-Team to the rescue.

If these two parallel forces were not taking place at the same time, the Hop Circles would have been a fun welcome home to all the happy Peeps.

Learned Old Frog knew Luther had arrived early and that he brought a friend.  This is why he sent me in early in the first place.  He also knew that this was the sort of thing Luther was capable of.  What puzzled The Learned One was how it came to be that Luther returned.  He personally saw him being packaged!

At first The Learned One tried to work with the government but he was not to be believed.  As such, The Learned Old Frog had to take measures into his own hands.  This would involve a jail break.  Peeptanamo was no place for Luther.

The Learned Old Frog brought out his special peep forces known as PEEPSTERS (Peeps Everywhere Eagerly Prepared [to] Save Team [members with] Exactly [the] Right String).  There was no stopping them.

As they were making their escape, the Human SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land Teams) brought out the heavy equipment.  But the PEEPSTERS and Luther escaped!

 

The P-team, known as PEEPSTERS, took Luther to a safe house until a decision about his future was made.

In the meantime, The Learned Old Frog met with President Obama to explain that what appeared to be crop circles were really Hop Circles and that Luther was indeed the one behind their making along with his gnome pal, Larky.

So we waited and waited until we heard the decision from The Learned Old Frog and President Obama. It was all cleared up; thank goodpeepness!  The P-team and Luther will be Pardoned.

After the decision was handed down, I was able to have a quiet chat with President Obama.  I shared with him the story of Luther and Nettie and Luther’s heroic escape in the face of being wrongly accused. Mr. Obama was justly moved. He decided to not only pardon Luther and the P-team, but all the Peeps who ever coupled freely.  This historic decision, overruling the Learned Old Frog, has been dubbed the Hunger Decision.

With the pardon, these Peeps will be able to honorably return to The Moss Farm.

 

Jay Carney, White House Press secretary declined being  interviewed about the incident, which in some circles is being referred to as Peepgate.  Insiders believe Mr. Carney is not happy with President Obama’s decision to pardon the Peeps.  It is rumored Mr. Carney thinks the Peeps should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

From our Peep perspective, sometimes the truth is hard to swallow, especially when it’s a marshmallow.

BACK ON THE FARM

All the Peeps at The Moss Farm rejoiced when they heard the news that Luther and the other Peeps had been pardoned.  Now we anxiously await the arrival of these pardoned Peeps. There seems there has been some delay though…we’re starting to get a little worried. I hope every thing is OK.

As Bernard turns in for the evening, he turns on the television.  President Obama’s decision to pardon all the Peeps who freely coupled made national news.  Still, Mr. Carney refuses to be interviewed and seems to be angry when questioned about his harshness against the Peeps.  Mr. Carney was last seen leaving the White House picking a little piece of something orange from his teeth.


 

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Moss Rocks! the Daily Grommet

 

Are you familiar with The Daily Grommet?  They are about Fresh finds, true stories…

At noon on Friday, April 6, 2012  Moss Rocks! has the honor of being the featured Daily Grommet. We are thrilled!  With thousands of submissions from folks wanting their products featured, and only 20 spots a month selected, it truly is an honor to be picked.

Hear what The Daily Grommet says…

Every day at noon we launch one inventive consumer product or service and broadcast its story across the web. People all over the world give us suggestions for products. They tell us why they should be Grommets. We test and curate the best ideas, and then create a video review and word of mouth campaign for each product. When a product launches on Daily Grommet, we host a discussion board on our site where people can chat directly with the creator of the product and with us.

We hope you can stop by their site on Friday and talk about Moss Rocks!…

To subscribe to The Daily Grommet click here.

The Daily Grommet on  Twitter.

Check out  The Daily Grommet and like on Facebook.

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

 

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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If moss companion plants could talk…Spring


Springtime arrives to The Moss Farm in Raleigh, NC. With spring comes the delicate wildflowers along with ferns, Mayapples, and other perennials. It’s been about a year since many have seen each other. Let’s listen to hear what they have to say….

Houstonia caerulea, Bluets.
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum

Down here, HERE, see me? Yoohoo Japanese Painted Fern.  Can you find us?  Over here…we’re baaaaccccckkkkk.  Had a good rest, you?  We are ready to bloom and blow our fool blue heads off.  Who all’s here?

 

Athyrium niponicum ’Pictum’, Japanese Painted Fern.
Moss – Thuidium delecatulum

Under the spores, the Japanese Painted Fern mumbles,”ラット, they’re back.  They are so annoying.  Always too happy especially for being blue….be nice…be nice…be nice…Of course I see you, Bluet; welcome back”

 

 Epimedium, barrenwort
Moss – Thuidium delecatulum and Hypnum cupressiforme

Ah man, I need to stretch…

 

Epimedium, barrenwort
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum and Hypnum cupressiforme

…That’s better…

 

Athyrium ‘Ghost’, Ghost Fern
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum and Plagiomnium cuspidatum

Dad  (Japanese painted fern) is here.  I wonder where mom (Lady Fern, A. filix-femina) is too?  I wonder if they’re still talking…

 

 Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum

Feed me, feed me, feed me….

 

Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum and Bryoandersonia illecebra

This is the year I’ll prove size really does matter…as in the smaller, the better…

 

Mertensia virginica, Virginia Bluebells
Moss – Thuidium delecatulum and  Hypnum cupressiforme

I’m not English.  I’m not Spanish.  I’m American.  I’m not English-American.  I’m not Spanish-American.  I’m American-American.  OK, give me your best shot…

 

Hepatica, liverwort, kidneywort, pennywort
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum

Hepatica – Hi, I’m Hepatica.

Virginia Bluebells – May I call you Liverwort?

Hepatica – No, you may not.  Please, call me Hepatica.

Virginia Bluebells – How about Kidneywort?

Hepatica – No please, call me Hepatica.

Virginia Bluebells – How about Pennywort?

Hepatica – No please. I insist. Call me Hepatica!

 

Pulmonaria officinalis, Lungwort
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum

Please don’t judge all worts by their spots…

 

Heuchera ‘Tapestry’, Coral Bells
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum and  Hypnum cupressiforme

Does this pink make my hips look big?

 

 Stylophorum diphyllum , Woodland Poppy
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum

Don’t I look dashing in dew? Seriously, don’t I look good in everything?  You don’t think this moss is stealing the beauty from my showing, do you?  DO YOU?

 

Podophyllum peltatum, May apple
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum

Push, push, a little more, push….

 

Podophyllum peltatum, May apple
Moss - Thuidium delecatulum and Bryoandersonia illecebra

There, there, that’s better…

 

Saxifraga stolonifera, Strawberry geranium
Moss -  Bryoandersonia illecebra
(also a little, tiny, Galium odoratum, sweet woodruff)

I hope stripes are in this year…

 

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Moss trending — Country Gardens magazine photo shoot


If you ever get the chance to be apart of a photo shoot, even as a bystander, do it.  They are so much fun.  Interesting, in fact.  If nothing else, you will get a lesson in light.

Moss and Stone Gardens Photographer, Ken Gergle shooting the shoot

By the time David Spain’s flower frog collection was photographed for Country Gardens magazine, he was experienced.  Earlier that week, David’s dish garden designs were also photographed at the Moss Farm, the nursery for Moss and Stone Gardens.

There was no way his entire collection of flower frogs could be photographed for the feature story — David has more than 250 flower frogs. And if there is one thing we learned about David through blog posts this past year, besides his love for moss, is that when he embraces something, he goes all the way.  The man knows nothing about doing something half-way.

While his collection caught the eye of Country Garden’s editor, James Baggett, the backdrop for shooting David’s collection ain’t too shabby and, no doubt, led the desire to feature the collection.  With moss trending the two together–moss creating drama beyond floral frogs on a bench, was magic.

F lower Frogs

Although flower frogs are still functional, collectors have come to appreciate them as stand-alone ornaments, artfully arranged on walls, placed in glass-front cabinets, and even leaping into the garden…..

….”My collection grew as as it became common for my mother and grandmother to give me flower frogs as birthday and Christmas gifts,” says David Spain.

Pick up a copy to learn tips for collecting flower frogs and the best match with the right type of plant.

 

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

Follow Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks! on Twitter @Moss_Rocks and our Facebook Like page Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!

To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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Moss Rocks! Turf infestation

 

Dear Moss Rock,

Thank you for dispelling the myths. I have an infestation of sagina in my turf and have yet to discover a permanent solution to its removal. Do you have any suggestions?

Bonnie

Hello Bonnie,

Sagina refers to a long list of plants, many of which can be invasive to our cultivated landscapes. Sagina subulata whose common name is Irish moss and Sagina subulata aurea (Scotch moss) are two plants that are very often thought to be a moss. With an appearance that resembles some acrocarpous species of moss and plant labels to back up their borrowed pedigree, many people simply assume they are real moss.

Both of these moss-mimickers need full sun to thrive, produce small flowers, and have roots which is unlike any true moss. If a species of Sagina is invading your moss, I advise removal by hand before they set seed, if Sagina is invading your turf grass you will probably need chemical control, as most turf problems tend to result in their use! Best of luck, Bonnie.

David Spain a.k.a. Moss Rock

Moss -- Dicranum scoparium

NOT moss -- Scotch moss, Sagina subulata aurea

I am often asked about Irish Moss and Scotch Moss as though they were actually bryophytes and I thought I’d take this opportunity to set the record straight.

The desire to have a ground hugging, evergreen, carpeting plant is widespread throughout the horticulture world. There are not many to choose from and mosses are taking center stage these days. Their qualities are undeniably attractive and ecologically friendly, so it’s no wonder that cultivars such as Sagina subulata borrow the reference to moss in their name. However, Irish moss only resembles moss but does not share in it’s distinctive qualities and versatility. In fact, Scotch and Irish Mosses are well known for their finicky performance and very often wind up withering away. So the next time you see that pretty fuzzy plant at the nursery with the mossy name, be forewarned of it’s non-relation to mosses and demanding nature.

 

 

Order your Moss Rocks!  online today.  Moss is grand.  Moss is green.  Moss is good. Make the most of it; order Moss Rocks! today.

By: Helen Yoest

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To learn more about Moss and Stone Gardens – Where Moss Rocks!, please visit our website.  Or email David Spain at info@mossandstonegardens.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all photo are credited to Ken Gergle.

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