Moss has become a big trend in gardening, because of its unique look and tons of benefits. It brings that cozy and soothing feel with a bit of mystery, which makes it a perfect solutions for various types of gardens and of course, it’s a signature feature of Japanese-inspired spaces. If you feel like adding a bit of moss to your garden, here are the main points you need to know.
Advantages Of Moss In Your Garden
Moss forms a damp green landscape that is timeless and feels like some magic or mystery. In Japanese gardens it’s part of wabi-sabi aesthetics that embraces imperfections. Just imagine how beautifully moss will cover rocks or space between the path stones.
As lawn is a very high-maintenance feature, there are many alternatives to it today, and moss is one of them. Moss also requires maintenance but still not as much as lawn and it’s deer-resistant. Moss needs much less water than a grass lawn, making it a convenient and water-conserving option. You won’t need fertilize as moss gathers nutrients itself. Moss doesn’t require mowing or pruning, so this is one of the best solutions.
Moss is good for wellness and mental health gardens as walking barefoot on it will let you feel soothed and will reduce anxiety.
Moss attracts wildlife: fungi, insects, frogs, and salamanders. Birds and squirrels harvest moss for their nests and dreys. Moss doesn’t require soil to grow, and the hair-like rhizoids anchor themselves to most bare surfaces, making them great for supporting erosion control. Moss is highly effective at filtering out air pollution.
Moss can grow in conditions where other plants won’t. It can grow in deep shade and poor-quality, compact, acidic soil. Moss also attaches readily to rocky ground and solid substrates like stones and logs.
Moss and flagstones are a perfect combo for any garden, and moss looks lovely with anything, from greenery to blooms.
This Japanese garden is made of moss, with stones and rocks and you can see a traditional fountain.
The narrow moss garden is shady, so moss on the ground is the best idea. Lush greenery and delicate trees make it lively.
The small Japanese-inspired garden is composed of gravel, moss and stones and a tree surrounded with moss.
Blooming moss between the stepping stones looks amazing, while being low-maintenance.
This front yard shows off moss, groundcovers and flowers. The stone path is a staircase styled with moss between each part.
The narrow space is done with only a hedge, moss, flagstones and it looks modern and fresh.
Stones and rocks are neighboring with moss that starts to cover them, too.
Several types of moss will make your garden even more eye-catching and unique.
This small Japanese backyard is covered with moss completely, there are rocks and some subtle trees.
Best Types Of Moss
The most low-maintenance and popular types of moss are Common Haircap Moss, Spoon Leaved Moss, Springy Turf Moss, Heath Star Moss, Pincushion Moss, Shiny Seductive Moss, Glittering Wood Moss. Choose your type according to the conditions you have. Start by covering a smaller rocky corner in your yard or creating a moss path with stepping stones, and then you can extend your moss around.
Blooming moss between flagstones makes them stand out and the path looks fresh and lively.
Planting moss between the stepping stones will make your garden path cooler, and moss is easier to care than groundcovers.
The garden spheres are covered with moss to compose a relaxed garden decoration.
A flower bed can be also styled with moss, greenery, grasses and rocks.
The garden is done with moss isntead of classic lawn, and greenery and trees around make a hint on modern Japanese style.
The rock garden features moss, greenery and various green plants, which make the stack of rocks spectacular.
The modern Japanese-style space features a small tree, a pond and moss covered flagstones. Covering the yard with moss makes it lively and soothing.
This path along the pool is composed of large flagstones and moss to make it look unusual.
This water feature of rock is covered with moss and surrounded with ferns and greenery to give it an old look.
The Japanese-style fountain is made of a moss-covered rock, ferns and a bamboo piece and it's surrounded with stones.
Uses Of Moss
Moss can be rocked instead of lawn as it’s low-maintenance to no maintenance. You can grow it on rocks and stones in your garden to give them an old and mysterious look. Make ponds and water features surrounded with moss and grow it between the stepping stones. Mosses don’t tolerate heavy footfall, but some can handle light traffic once established. Fairy and magical gardens and also Japanese-style ones will require moss as a signature feature.
The rock garden features moss and even the garden bed shows off various types of it.
This modern garden is done with moss instead of lawn to make it low-maintenance. Moss looks good with greenery, trees and other plants.
The pond is surrounded with moss, greenery and flowers, and the moss gives it a forest-like look.
The contemporary yard is done with a green hedge and blooming moss. Grasses and trees are added for more interest.
Moss, greenery, shrubs and stepping stones are a perfec combo for the space.
I totally love this modern patio created with large flagstones that stand out in the bright moss backdrop. The modern bench and fire bowl add to the space.
Forest-like gardens look great with moss and greenery, and not too tall trees will be a nice idea as they won't block natural light.
The minimalist courtyard is done with gravel and rocks. The plants are moss, topiaries and trees that stand out in the neutral backdrop.
The bright yard features moss and groundcovers, greenery and rocks and it's a perfect match for a contemporary facade.
The garden shows off a sloped part turned into a rock garden with greenery and moss. The next part is covered with moss instead of lawn.
Maintaining Moss
Care requirements vary depending on the species you select and local conditions but here are the main ones. Keep moss free of leaf litter and other debris using a leaf blower, gentle rake, or bamboo broom. Weeds can quickly kill off moss, so regularly remove any aggressive competitors.
This shady outdoor space is done wiht moss, groundcovers, shrubs and some simple trees. The flagstones add to the space.
The classic Japanese fountain is turned into a very wild-looking one with moss, leaves, greenery on it.
Creating a path with stones and moss is a great idea to make the path lively at once.
Pebbles and moss can be a nice idea for a backyard, they bring texture and color.
This moss is called Scleranthus biflorus, a popular type of moss for gardens.
The narrow space is done with greenery and moss, some blooms and trees.
This front yard is a nice example of modern and wabi-sabi: there are large rocks, bamboo railing and delicate trees.
Moos. blooming groundcovers, luch and stones bring a lot of texture to the outdoor space. (via maynardarchitects).
Stones always look good with moss, line up the staircase with plants, too, to make it enlivened. (via quietjoyathome).
These fun garden furniture pieces shaped as mushrooms are covered with moss and look very organic. (via privatenewport).
This all-natual looking water feature shows off rocks, greenery, a moss log and water. It looks so natural that it's hard to believe that it's human-made. (via aquascapeinc).
The moss path lined up with rocks looks gorgeous but remember that it's only for light foot traffic. (via charlestoncrafted).