Moss Benefits in Shade and Moisture
Moss loves damp and shady places in the garden, especially shady ones. It exists in areas where other plants cannot because it retains moisture like a sponge. Most other plants hate wet and shady areas, but moss thrives there like it is a king. That is because it is a special plant which does not have a conventional root system like other plants. Instead, it drinks moisture directly from the air.
Moss grows in habitats with a lot of moisture or high humidity. In a forest, for example, it grows on the ground, on rocks, or on tree trunks, taking advantage of the moist, shady environment. Thus, moss is often found in forests, along streams, and in areas with high precipitation.
Moss In Landscaping: Advantages
Ideal for Underused Areas
One of the key benefits of moss is its ability to adapt and grow in damp, poorly lit areas. In a landscape, if there is a corner with a garden that is poorly lit, the bottom of a tree, or anywhere else where the grass struggles to grow, ground cover moss is the best solution. It doesn't need a lot of sunlight, and the soil does not need to have the same conditions as other plants. Thus, it is ideal for areas with a lot of shade.
Efficient Water Retainer
Moss has a unique ability to hold moisture, and thus it is ideal for areas that have too much moisture or are prone to excess standing water. It acts as a sponge and aids in the prevention of water pooling in certain areas. In turn, the water held in the moss prevents some unwanted animals, mainly mosquitoes, from being attracted to stagnant, pooled water.
Perfect Ground Cover
If you would like ground cover, moss is another option for cover. Unlike some plants, moss is able to stay anchored to the ground without the traditional root system. It uses so-called rhizoids, which are short filaments that attach it to the soil. Because of its rhizoids, moss is able to reduce soil erosion. This makes moss useful in locations that are likely to suffer from washouts or soil displacement. Moss forms layers which are able to cover bare spots to stop the growth of fast weeds. This makes moss cover quite cheap, as it does not require the tedious long-lasting work of mowing and fertilizing.
Visual Attraction
Moss does help to provide some visual attraction as its texture is quite thick and the color is bright green. It is also quite soft and soothing, which can help to de-stress the mind, and helps to complement many landscaping styles. No matter how you use it, such as to line a dirt path, fill gaps in stones, or cover any spot in the shade, moss brings a touch of natural beauty.
Evergreen Appeal
Moss, no matter where you are in the world, is one of the few plants evergreen. It offers its shield of greenery for the entire year. It even adds some nice color to your garden in the winter when the other plants are dormant. For these reasons, it is perfect for growing in shady gardens that other plants can’t survive in during winter.
Low Maintenance
Moss is very low maintenance. If you want plants that won’t take your time, moss is probably the best option. After it is fully grown, moss does not take a lot of care. You don’t have to fertilize it, prune it, or water it down. As long as that area is shady and wet, the moss can take care of itself.
Moss Varieties for Your Garden
There are at least a few different varieties of moss that can be used in an outdoor garden. Each of these moss varieties is different depending on the ones you like the most. Some are sold the most at TN Nurseries for example are:
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Cushion Moss – This variety of moss is very nice to put in a cozy garden due to its dense, cushion-like texture. It makes a perfect ground cover.
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Sheet Moss – This variety of moss forms a smooth, blanket-like cover. It is perfect for covering large, even areas.
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Carpet Moss looks like a thick carpet and fills larger areas with ease. It does a great job of covering the canvas.
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The Fern Moss fascinates with a beautifully intricate design and adds great variety and texture to your garden.
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Mood Moss adds a soft plush touch to the garden and softens the transitions between the hard landscaping elements.
Caring for moss is easy, but keeping a few important tips in mind can help polish your results. Make sure the area is always kept moist. During drier days, a lack of moisture can significantly damage all your other efforts.
Moss prefers the shade, so don’t plant it in bright, sunny areas. Moss grows on a variety of hard and soft surfaces, but it grows best in acidic soils. Do a soil test before committing to your design. Leaf litter and plant debris should be cleared on a regular basis. Otherwise, it suffocates the plant.
TN Nurseries’ Online Moss Catalog
TN Nursery has moss for any landscaping purposes. Visit them on the net to see some of their most popular mosses such as mood moss, fern moss, carpet moss, sheet moss, and cushion moss. Moss shows up perfectly for a variety of purposes such as adding greenery to shady places, adding texture, or stopping soil erosion.
FAQs
Does moss do well in shade?
Moss does not need direct sunlight to thrive. It does fine in stagnant areas with little light. It especially does well under trees or in the shady patches of one’s garden. Moss appreciates not having to compete with other plants for light and will endure on very little sunlight.
What are the downsides of moss lawns?
Moss lawns are gorgeous and very easy to take care of. Even with those amazing qualities, there are some disadvantages. Moss lawns can be very slippery when wet and can pose a danger for those in locations where it rains heavily. Moss does not thrive in areas where there are a lot of people as it is easily stepped on and damaged. Moss does not handle extreme heat, drought or dry, cold places.
Why do mosses grow in moist and shady places?
Moss generally is considered to be one of the simplest plants to maintain as it does not have roots in the traditional sense. It lacks root systems like the majority of plants. Instead, moss draws moisture from the air and from the surfaces of the surrounding environment. If there is a lot of sunlight, shade acts like a barrier that prevents the moss from drying out.
Does moss help retain moisture?
Moss is quite efficient in moisture retention as it absorbs and retains water like a sponge which helps keep the moisture level in the environment above it. This makes moss a perfect plant in such places as swampy or overly wet areas.
What will grow in 100% shade?
Some of the plants which can flourish in absolute shade include different types of moss, ferns, hostas, and some types of ivy. Such plants can survive and grow under the absence of sunlight.
What moss does not need sunlight?
Mosses like cushion moss, sheet moss, and carpet moss can thrive without direct sunlight. Such mosses thrive in dark, damp places and can even prosper in places with little or no light.
