Make the Most of Your Shade Garden

Have you ever hiked a trail and happened upon a woodland area cloaked in moss? It is a breathtaking marvel of nature, invoking a sense of peace and serenity. Imagine replicating a piece of that utopia in your garden. It is possible! Often, we struggle to create a perfect lawn in that shady section of the yard or ponder what we should do in the shadow of our gardens. Confronted with the challenges of a shady area, many times we tempt fate, wanting a particular plant to prosper where it is ill-suited. Wise gardeners understand the soil and lighting conditions of their gardens and select the appropriate plants, but shady locations challenge even the most avid gardeners.

If we take our cues from nature, however, we might consider incorporating moss into that shady spot on our property. Moss is the oldest terrestrial plant species on earth, but mosses have recently become more widely appreciated as gardeners explore incorporating them within their gardens. Moss might just be the perfect alternative and solution to a challenging shady location in your garden. What’s more, even those with a “not so green thumb” can successfully implement moss as a sustainable solution to the challenges of a shady area. Whether you want to convert a small section of lawn, or simply add another texture to your garden, moss has only a few simple requirements: a little shade, a little water and a little patience. Some plants can be finicky, but moss is a great choice for even the most novice gardener. It does not require ideal conditions, preferring a more compacted, slightly acidic soil that is well drained. Moss does not require weekly watering, mowing, or fertilizer in order to survive and prosper. In fact, once established, moss will require minimal maintenance; only supplemental watering during times of drought and removal of leaf debris from the moss in the fall.

Any moss you plan to add to your shade garden will inevitably be of two types. Acrocarpous Moss is an upright, clumping type of moss that generally grows in height and thickness before spreading outward. The other, a Pleucarpous Moss, grows by spreading horizontally across the ground.

Each moss type has unique characteristics and textures that serve well to accent other shade-tolerant plantings within your garden. A few mosses that you may wish to consider in your garden are: Sheet Moss, Cushion Moss, Hair Cap Moss, and Fern Moss. Hosta, Fern, Lady’s Mantle, and Coral Bell are some typical shade-loving companion plants that provide a beautiful contrast in texture and colors with a moss carpet. If you prefer a more native woodland planting in your garden, consider using Trillium, Solomon’s Seal, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit as an accent to moss.

Preparing the intended area for moss is a relatively easy process. First, remove all weeds, grasses, nonnative plants, and any other roots or debris from the area. The soil should be loosened and evenly graded to create a smooth surface. Saturate the soil with water, and transplant the moss in evenly spaced 2”- 6” clumps throughout the intended garden area. Firmly press the moss clumps into the soil to insure good contact between the moss and the soil bed. Finally, saturate the moss and soil again. To ensure it prospers, keep the moss moist for 2-3 weeks and water periodically throughout the balance of the first year to help the moss become established. Your moss should require little supplemental watering, with the exception of extreme drought.

You may have the good fortune of being able to collect moss from your own property, or a friend or neighbor’s yard, for transplanting to your future moss garden. If not, moss can be purchased from online sources. These suppliers are a great source of a variety of mosses as well as information on everything moss. With the right conditions, a little shade, a little water, and some patience, moss is a great alternative, adding a tapestry of different textures to that shady spot within your landscape. If you don’t have a spot to create your own moss garden outside, consider an indoor moss garden. Moss is a very adaptable plant and works well in a variety of containers, a terrarium, or even with a bonsai. With a little creativity and proper care, moss can be enjoyed by all.

As featured in Michigan Home and Lifestyle magazine Spring 2016.