The Magical World of Moss Gardening
by Annie Martin
Every time I walk out my front door, my mosses greet me triggering a smile in my heart… As I gaze at the dazzling mosaic of mosses in my garden, I feel immense joy and pride juxtaposed with calm. Annie Martin
Just reading this quote warms you and makes you realize that winter is a good time to learn about mosses. They are often quite green in the middle of the darkest days of winter. Since mosses are not vascular plants, they can continue to grow even in those cold, wet days of January, February and March in Georgia. Martin’s book is a very thorough resource and reference for all things moss and moss-related.
The Magical World of Moss Gardening (published in 2015) should be of interest to Northeast Georgia gardeners is that mosses can be very successful in the forested land typical of our area. Most mosses can be successful in the acidic soil, the shady and moist areas, and among tree bases or climbing over rocks, walls, and pebbles. Martin’s photos of moss gardens (from Japan to British Columbia, to Washington and North Carolina) not only illustrate the different types of moss but are fantastic sources for planning your own moss garden.
The first portion of the book summarizes all the varieties, properties, variations, needs and characteristics of moss. Mosses are called Bryophytes. They are distinguished from other non-vascular plants such as Liverworts and Lichen. You may be surprised to know that Reindeer Moss, Irish Moss and Spanish Moss are not mosses at all. Reindeer Moss is a Lichen, Spanish Moss is a Bromeliad, and Irish Moss is Algae.
The middle section of the book includes photos and descriptions of over thirty specific types of moss. It will be very useful to determine the best type of moss for any area in which you wish to establish a moss garden.
The final section of the book covers topics that will carry you from the concept of a moss garden to an actual, tangible garden plan: Site Assessment, Weather and Microclimates, Water Accessibility, Invasive Plants, Companion Plants, Fairy Gardens, Financial Considerations, Planting and Propagation, Maintenance and Trouble Shooting. The Resource and Reference List at the back of the book is an excellent tool, featuring resources both online and in books.
Take a walk in your yard. See what mosses you find there greening up the cold winter days.
Holly Sparrow, Headwaters Master Gardener