Irish Moss Plant: Perennial, Plush Floor Cowl

For those who’re on the lookout for a floor cowl that produces tiny star-shaped flowers, look no additional than the Irish moss plant. It’s an ideal addition to a shady rock backyard, the areas between stepping stones, and subsequent to water options. Irish moss (Sagina subulata) may even be a garden substitute in some areas. 

Its creeping stems tolerate mild foot site visitors, and because it grows it creates a dense mat that’s not solely pleasing to the attention however gentle on ft. It’s comparatively disease-free, too. Rising Irish moss and its cultivar that’s additionally known as golden Scotch moss (Sagina subulata “Aurea”) can add a lot dimension to a backyard area.

So what do it’s essential to develop a fine-textured carpet of Irish moss or Scotch moss? And what’s the distinction between the 2? The place do these vegetation even come from? Effectively, learn on, and we’ll sort out all these questions right here. 

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All About Irish Moss

Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is often known as heath pearlwort and awl-leaf pearlwort. Scottish moss is technically not the identical plant, nevertheless it’s a species that’s usually grown equally in gardens, though there’s a particular cultivar of Irish moss (“Aurea”) that additionally shares the widespread identify. Each vegetation are native to Western and Central Europe. You’ll discover these moss vegetation rising on banks and slopes close to the fertile coast of the British Isles. However they’re additionally discovered wherever between there and Romania in sandy well-drained soils. A perennial, Irish moss grows just one to 2 inches tall and spreads about 1 foot large. It and the Scotch moss cultivar are sometimes grown in rock gardens, between stepping stones, or as a garden substitute. Each are members of the carnation household and readily self-sow, creating a beautiful mat of soppy, inexperienced grass-like moss. 

The plant is called awl-leaf pearlwort as a result of its inexperienced leaves are formed like an axe, a instrument used for poking holes in leather-based or cloth. Nevertheless, the dense, small clusters of awl-shaped leaves are gentle, and the creeping stems don’t attain out to poke anybody. Small, white, star-shaped flowers with 5 petals bloom in spring at first after which sporadically all through the rising season.

After every of the white flowers blooms and dies, small brown rectangular capsules kind, and triangular seeds are produced. These drop from the low-growing plant at a reasonable charge, self-sowing as they go. That is how the skinny stalks handle to unfold out and self-propagate. One of many foremost variations between Irish moss (Sagina subulata) and Scotch moss (Arenaria verna) is leaf shade. Whereas Irish moss has wealthy inexperienced foliage, Scotch moss has gold to chartreuse leaves. Each have white flowers, and each develop equally. So in the event you’re trying to fill area in between backyard pavers both let shade be your information. 

Planting Irish Moss

Plant Irish moss in spring after the hazard of frost has handed. Select an area in partial shade to full solar with fertile, well-drained soil. This could possibly be in your garden, in your backyard, and even in a walkway the place foot site visitors is predicted. Choose an area the place you’d prefer to fill in a spot with low-growing, inexperienced foliage, and white flowers.

For those who stay in an space with drought circumstances or excessive warmth, plant Irish moss in a container and place that container deliberately in your backyard. Be sure that the container has wealthy and well-drained soil that this moss likes. The identical timing applies to containers too. Wait till spring when the final frost has handed. To plant this moss (Irish and Scotch varieties), rake about an inch into the soil floor. Then take plugs with satisfactory roots, and place them on the bottom or in your planter. Frivolously press the plugs into the soil. You should not have any concern getting these vegetation began from seed too. Both begin them indoors in winter a couple of weeks earlier than the final frost or direct-sow them in spring outside. Give them a beneficiant quantity of daylight or develop mild. In 2 to three weeks, they’ll sprout. 

Care

As soon as it’s established, Irish or Scotch moss takes off and does effectively all by itself. Let’s talk about a few of the circumstances required for rising floor cowl of this type. 

Solar and Temperature

Irish moss prefers full solar to partial shade. In areas the place warmth will get excessive, partial shade or shade within the afternoon is a should. Develop Irish moss in an space that will get not less than 6 hours of partial shade, and not more than 1 hour of scorching daylight per day. Ultimate Irish moss rising zones embrace 4 by way of 8. Scotch moss prefers zones 4 by way of 7, as zone 8 is just too scorching for this delicate floor cowl.

For those who stay exterior this vary, develop Irish moss in a container and convey it in when temperatures dip under 30 levels Fahrenheit, and above 80 levels Fahrenheit. Both excessive produces brown patches in Irish moss that may bounce again in fall, restoring it to its pretty inexperienced shade. Ideally, Irish moss prefers temperatures proper round 60 levels. As a result of it’s low to the bottom, utilizing frost or shade fabric will not be as efficient as it could be for different vegetation. This is the reason floor cowl vegetation have to be selectively positioned and located from the beginning. 

Water and Humidity

At all times water your Irish moss within the morning, earlier than the solar has warmed the bottom. Preserve the bottom round your plant sufficiently moist, however not waterlogged. Particularly when it has simply been transplanted, it should want a constant quantity of water to root successfully. However mild watering with a soaker hose is finest for this delicate floor cowl. Inadequate or extreme water causes brown patches. Vegetation like these choose wealthy, moist soil close to the coast. That’s one indication that Irish moss is just not a drought-tolerant plant.  So maintain it evenly moist! If the season has been notably wet, don’t water your moss plant. Once more, extreme water on this low-growing plant will create brown patches somewhat than the beautiful green-colored foliage you’d like in your garden or backyard. 

Soil

Develop Irish moss (and its shut relative Scotch moss, or Arenaria verna) in soil that’s wealthy, fertile, and well-draining. Take into consideration its native habitat. Native moss vegetation prefer to develop on lush coastal hillsides in sandy soil. Beneath the sand, the coast is full of wealthy humus soil. So select an space that’s just like this, or create one in your backyard, garden, or containers. Put together a mixture of compost, wealthy backyard soil, and sand to fill within the space or containers you’ve chosen. Many guides recommend the plant can adapt to poor soils, not less than after it’s established. The best pH vary for Irish moss is 5.6 to 7.5.  

Fertilizing

Irish moss likes a slow-release fertilizer utilized to the bottom cowl as soon as within the spring, yearly. However fertilize sparingly, as a result of excessive nitrogen ranges can alter the unfold and development of Irish moss. As a substitute of rising in a compact and low-lying vogue, with an excessive amount of nitrogen, it should develop in a mound. Particularly in the event you’re attempting to domesticate a backyard or garden with a low floor cowl, an excessive amount of nitrogen is one thing you wish to keep away from. Use a full-spectrum 5-5-5 NPK fertilizer, or go for one thing that’s barely decrease in nitrogen. This gives satisfactory vitamin to foliage and flowers with out overpowering inexperienced development. 

Pruning

There isn’t a lot pruning to do with floor cowl vegetation like Irish moss. Nevertheless, if there are yellowing or brown leaves, take away them as wanted. 

Propagation

Propagating Irish moss is straightforward as a result of it’s a self-sowing plant. Give it a very good begin within the backyard and let it do its factor. Seeds are likely to come out of pods from flowers and assist moss vegetation unfold as they’d within the wild. Nevertheless, you possibly can accumulate seeds and sprout seeds indoors in winter earlier than the final frost. Plant the seeds on the soil floor in a wealthy beginning combine that has a very good quantity of soilless content material included. You can even plant seeds immediately within the backyard floor or in your garden. Area the seeds not less than 8 inches aside. 

One other option to propagate these vegetation (exterior of seeds) is to divide them from a wholesome part of inexperienced development in spring or fall. Merely take away a bit of the moss out of your backyard and pull it aside so that every ensuing part has wholesome roots. Then place them in partial solar to full solar spots of your backyard. Present satisfactory moisture to the vegetation and seeds, and also you’ll have extra Irish moss vegetation in your backyard, and flowers that bloom in spring. 

Troubleshooting

When gardening with Irish moss, don’t fret an excessive amount of if issues come up. Right here are some things to contemplate, which now we have already lined within the earlier sections. 

Rising Issues

As talked about within the fertilizer part, don’t give Irish moss an excessive amount of nitrogen. This makes it develop right into a mound as an alternative of low. Excessive nitrogen may forestall flowering too, which implies no seed for self-sowing. As a substitute, use a full spectrum, balanced, slow-release fertilizer sparingly. 

Bear in mind to not water an excessive amount of, as this could create brown patches when gardening with Irish moss. The identical goes for too little water. If brown patches emerge, no drawback. Take away them and let the remainder of the patch proceed to develop with the right amount of water. An excessive amount of solar causes browning in Irish moss patches too. So in the event you’re unsure whether or not or not the area you’ve chosen is just too sunny, plant the moss in a container first and transfer it round as wanted, then plant it within the floor when you’re positive of its placement. 

Pests

The one pest Irish moss has to deal with contained in the backyard is the notorious slug. The simplest option to cope with them within the backyard is to provide them an intoxicating beer lure. They’ll’t resist the beer and can perish as they drink. If slugs get out of hand and infest your Irish moss, strive an natural slug bait. You need to solely have to use this as soon as per season. 

Ailments

Crown rot is the one illness that impacts Irish moss. This often happens when there may be an excessive amount of water current within the soil, and it’s attributable to the identical fungal pathogens that trigger root rot. Prevention is the very best methodology for controlling crown rot, as it will probably trigger the dying of the complete organism. For those who discover yellowing leaves in areas the place moisture is excessive, take away them and let the plant dry out. Then apply small quantities of water solely after the soil has dried. If this doesn’t enhance circumstances, take away the complete plant to stop the unfold of fungus to the remainder of your backyard. 

Often Requested Questions

Q: The place does Irish moss develop finest?

A: Irish moss prefers rock gardens, areas between pavers, or wherever in your backyard floor cowl is most popular. Foot site visitors is completely okay!

Q: Does Irish moss unfold quick?

A: Though it self propagates by seed, it’s not a vigorous spreader, and it’s simple to take away. There’s no want to fret about planting an aggressive moss. 

Q: Does Irish moss come again yearly?

A: In hotter areas, it could get a bit of scorched in summer season and die again in winter. However this perennial will return in temperate seasons. 

Q: Are you able to stroll on Irish moss?

A: Completely. Though the leaf form is in comparison with the pokey axe, it’s gentle on ft. That’s why it’s usually chosen as a floor cowl.