A delightful book that encourages gardeners to pay closer attention to the subtle beauty of miniature landscapes and introduces one of the glories of Japanese gardens into American designs. The author writes entertainingly of mosses on rocks and walls, in containers, and as a lush ground cover, and he presents a gallery of his favorite moss species.

A magical tour of the hidden wonders of moss Moss is all around us. While it is most often associated with damp, shady spaces, it can be found in the most unexpected and far-flung places, from deserts to Antarctica. This book is a celebration of its quiet, unassuming beauty. In this book you'll discover the key moss varieties and where they can be found as well as the cultural history of moss, both as a garden plant and its uses in traditional handicrafts. Take a tour of the best moss gardens in Japan, the UK and the US, and meet people who share their passion for these multifaceted plants. Find out how to cultivate moss, tie Japanese moss balls (kokedama) and plant moss landscapes in pots and terrariums. With stunning photography and botanical illustration, this is a unique book that will be treasured by plant enthusiasts of all kinds.

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“This is a fascinating books for anyone wanting to truly broaden the range of plants they grow.” —Gardens Illustrated Moss is an extraordinary plant—it grows without roots, flowers, or stems. Despite being overlooked, in many ways, moss is perfect: it provides year-round color, excels in difficult climates, prevents soil erosion, and resists pests and disease. In The Magical World of Moss Gardening, bryophyte expert Annie Martin reveals how moss can be used in stunning, eco-friendly spaces. The beautifully illustrated guide includes basics on designing and planting a moss garden, and an inspiring tour of the most magical public and private moss gardens throughout the country.

A comprehensive guide to the mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians This is the first book to help general readers recognize 200 common mosses of the Northeast and the Appalachian Mountains. With just this field guide, a hand lens, and a spray bottle—no microscopes necessary—readers will be able to identify and name many of the common species of mosses growing in the region's backyards, parks, forests, wetlands, and mountains. At the heart of this guide is an innovative, color-tabbed system that helps readers pick out small groups of similar species. Illustrated identification keys, colorful habitat and leaf photos, more than 600 detailed line drawings, and written descriptions help differentiate the species. This accessible book allows all nature enthusiasts to make accurate identifications and gain access to the enchanting world of mosses. 200 species included More than 600 detailed line drawings More than 400 color photographs Innovative color-tabbed system for species identification Illustrated species identification keys Helpful tips for moss collecting

Explains how to use a system of layered mulch materials, including newspaper, leaves, and grass clippings, to provide a nutrient-rich base for healthy gardens and robust flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits

MOSS GARDENING IDEAS AND EASY GUIDE Are you looking for eco-friendly alternative to having grass? Mosses always bring a smile to your face whether you are the beholder or the gardener. Since bryophytes have been around for millions of years, it seems like there would be plenty of moss gardening references. Yet, mosses have been overlooked as horticultural choices and little definitive research exists on gardening with bryophytes. Moving beyond generalizations to specific guidelines has been a priority of our research and field testing. Mountain Moss is breaking new ground with innovative ways of using mosses in today's world of new "green" approaches to living. What is moss gardening? Deliberately growing moss in the garden for its color and texture is nothing new. Japanese gardeners have been doing it in their gardens for centuries. But moss gardening is more than that. It's the art of choosing moss types carefully and planting them as ground cover, as accents for water features or rocks, or as a moss lawn replacement. They do best in moist soil but can survive drought and live for a long time. That said, moss tends to grow slowly, so if you want to do moss gardening, you need a bit of patience. How to Start Moss Gardens? The easiest way to start a moss garden is to simply build up the moss you already have. Many yards have some moss already growing in them (and many lawn enthusiasts consider moss to be a nuisance). If you have moss growing in your yard, then you already know that the moss will grow in that location. Sometimes all it needs to grow thicker and more lush is a little fertilizer, a little more acid, or a little more moisture. A one to one solution of water and buttermilk will help with acid and nutrients, as will powdered milk. You can also use an acid loving plant fertilizer on the area as well. When developing existing moss patches, it also helps to remove competing plants such as grass and weeds. How do I start a moss garden? Moss is common in temperate regions where it grows naturally in areas that get light shade. Most mosses don't like to be directly exposed to the sun for long periods, though they do need some shine. Clear the area of weeds, leaves, and debris down to a bare and relatively firm soil surface. Next lightly scratch the soil surface. If your moss is dried, then soak in a bucket for a few minutes then firmly press the sections of moss into the soil. If your moss is already living and healthy, you do not need to soak it and can just press into the soil. Then water the entire area thoroughly. Keep it moist for the next 4-6 weeks while it establishes. Are you ready to learn more? Get a copy of this book now.