Dark Corner Gardening
There are others who are better attuned to gardening and plant choices for different growing conditions. I do want to offer an alternative to flowers or vegetables for those of us with shady corners. If you live in a rocky area, these plants will suit your conditions. They are miniature masterpieces in form and function, and you may need a magnifying glass to see their true beauty. I am talking about mosses, and even lichens.
Chances are you have a wet shady corner of lawn where moss fills in the patches between grass plants? Moss prefers shade and moisture. It also readily grows where fertility is low. If solid green lawns are your goal, then add lime to favour grass and not moss, which needs acidic soil. Mosses do well on compacted clays and not sandy loam soils.
While mosses are plants, they are not vascular plants; they are bryophytes. They have no true leaves, roots and do not produce seeds. They spread by spores. Bryophytes are colonial. This means you find lovely carpets of all the same species growing together. Moss gardening then, can be a textural garden of several shades of green, adding interest to lawns and perennial gardens. Their lack of movement in wind and year-round appearance lends a soothing quietness.
Yes, I love mosses. In particular, the following mosses can be found at nurseries specialising in moss plants for sale. They are also native to Nova Scotia. If you wild gather, it is important to note exactly where the mosses are growing. On trees, rocks, soil? On the base of trees? Rotting logs? Success comes with providing conditions the moss plants require and by selecting plants that suit your environment.
Also mosses should be transplanted in the spring or fall, when there is ample rain.
We have Hypnum species, aka Sheet moss. This low-growing moss forms smooth carpets at the base of trees and on the ground. It can tolerate dappled sunlight. Ideal for planting between patio stones or stepping stones, it is easy to get started.
Haircap Moss, (Polytrichum sp.) has soil stabilizing qualities making it desirable for slopes. It also will tolerate partial sun and a wider range of soils, including sandy soils.
Rock Cap Moss, or Broom Moss (Dicranum sp.) likes deep shade. Naturally they cover rocks and boulders. This can be used in landscaping as well. Prone to sunburning, this plant will not tolerate sun.
Cushion Moss, (Leucobryum) is another moss, that forms rounded clumps, although on soil. Tolerates partial sun and can be used for texture and colour; it is usually silvery-green in colour.
Reindeer Moss, actually a Reindeer Lichen tolerates sun and sandy soils. Its soft rubbery branching habitat forms soft pillowy forms which become dry and crunchy when dormant. Colour is silvery white.
For a little highlighted interest, one can add a fern or two. Some nurseries sell Christmas Ferns, (Polystichum acrostichoides). This evergreen fern forms attractive crowns in shady spots.
Moss gardening is gaining popularity, so there are websites promoting their use in landscaping. If wild collecting be ethical and take only a few and only with landowner permission.
Cinnamon fern fiddleheads, photo by Marian Munro
Hyloconium splendens, on rock, photo by Marian Munro
Hypnum sp. on tree, photo by Marian Munro
Chances are you have a wet shady corner of lawn where moss fills in the patches between grass plants? Moss prefers shade and moisture. It also readily grows where fertility is low. If solid green lawns are your goal, then add lime to favour grass and not moss, which needs acidic soil. Mosses do well on compacted clays and not sandy loam soils.
While mosses are plants, they are not vascular plants; they are bryophytes. They have no true leaves, roots and do not produce seeds. They spread by spores. Bryophytes are colonial. This means you find lovely carpets of all the same species growing together. Moss gardening then, can be a textural garden of several shades of green, adding interest to lawns and perennial gardens. Their lack of movement in wind and year-round appearance lends a soothing quietness.
Yes, I love mosses. In particular, the following mosses can be found at nurseries specialising in moss plants for sale. They are also native to Nova Scotia. If you wild gather, it is important to note exactly where the mosses are growing. On trees, rocks, soil? On the base of trees? Rotting logs? Success comes with providing conditions the moss plants require and by selecting plants that suit your environment.
Also mosses should be transplanted in the spring or fall, when there is ample rain.
We have Hypnum species, aka Sheet moss. This low-growing moss forms smooth carpets at the base of trees and on the ground. It can tolerate dappled sunlight. Ideal for planting between patio stones or stepping stones, it is easy to get started.
Haircap Moss, (Polytrichum sp.) has soil stabilizing qualities making it desirable for slopes. It also will tolerate partial sun and a wider range of soils, including sandy soils.
Rock Cap Moss, or Broom Moss (Dicranum sp.) likes deep shade. Naturally they cover rocks and boulders. This can be used in landscaping as well. Prone to sunburning, this plant will not tolerate sun.
Cushion Moss, (Leucobryum) is another moss, that forms rounded clumps, although on soil. Tolerates partial sun and can be used for texture and colour; it is usually silvery-green in colour.
Reindeer Moss, actually a Reindeer Lichen tolerates sun and sandy soils. Its soft rubbery branching habitat forms soft pillowy forms which become dry and crunchy when dormant. Colour is silvery white.
For a little highlighted interest, one can add a fern or two. Some nurseries sell Christmas Ferns, (Polystichum acrostichoides). This evergreen fern forms attractive crowns in shady spots.
Moss gardening is gaining popularity, so there are websites promoting their use in landscaping. If wild collecting be ethical and take only a few and only with landowner permission.
Cinnamon fern fiddleheads, photo by Marian MunroHyloconium splendens, on rock, photo by Marian MunroHypnum sp. on tree, photo by Marian Munro
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