The Benefits of Moss in Your Landscape
Moss is a soft, lush, bright green plant that grows where lawns won't, making it a natural fill-in for hard-to-cover spots like areas surrounding trees, pools, or overhangs. Here are several more benefits moss can bring to your landscape.
Aside from thriving in damp areas, moss grows well in acidic and compacted soils. In these environments, moss becomes the perfect perennial ground cover. From afar, moss takes on a velvety, green appearance. A close-up reveals detailed branches and leaf-like stems that yield soft, miniature blossoms in the spring. Most mosses rarely achieve heights greater than several inches. Acrocarp mosses grow in clumping, erect habits, while pleurocarp mosses typically sprawl and often take on a familiar, carpet-like appearance.
Even in the winter months, moss retains a greenish hue. During lush parts of the season, they are bright green and far outshine any nearby traditional lawns. During winter, mosses take olive-drab tones and do a fine job preventing soil erosion in otherwise bare areas. Mosses' cold tolerance varies between species but will range anywhere between zones 4-10. Regardless of climate, expect your new moss lawn to take a few growing seasons to cover your entire area.
Low Maintenance
While traditional grass requires mowing, fertilizing, full sun, and consistent irrigation, a moss lawn is relatively low-maintenance. If it is naturally suited to your environment, then there's no need to improve the soil with fertilizers or rinse regularly. All that is required is the occasional removal of twigs and branches. Some species require more water during transplanting, but water needs are low once established.
Mosses are often used as ground cover in Japanese gardens, water gardens, rain gardens, and natural woodsy settings to create a soft, lush ambiance.
