The Magical World of Moss Gardening

"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.

“[An] informative guide to a unique style of gardening.” —Publishers Weekly

“The author flawlessly blends botanical descriptions and artistic sensibilities so that evocative summaries, accompanied by vivid photos, help readers understand the tactile and visual delights of moss, as well as its environmental benefits. . . . perfect for anyone interested in growing moss. A viable alternative to lawns, moss is thoroughly explained in this one-of-a-kind tome from the owner of Mountain Moss Enterprises in North Carolina.” —Library Journal starred review

“The Magical World of Moss Gardening covers everything you need to know to get started with moss gardening.” —Kitsap Sun

“Any conversation about the nuanced delights of moss gardening is usually overshadowed by lawn bores wanting to know how to eradicate the stuff. Here is the antidote. Martin’s whistle-stop survey of moss gardens from Japan to North America should convert even diehard moss-militants.” —The Financial Times 

“Comprehensive, inspirational, and full of information, this is a fascinating books for anyone wanting to truly broaden the range of plants they grow…a very useful guide.” —Gardens Illustrated

“The bible for mossers.” —Asheville Citizen-Times

“Instead of eradicating this deer-resistant, pest-resistant, rootless, stemless wonder of a plant, Martin tells us how to encourage and cultivate it…Seeing these hushed and serene gardens makes me hope our climate continues to oblige in future summers.” —Pacific Northwest Magazine

“Down-to-earth advice on how to make the best use of bryophytes in the garden, with profiles of 25 of the most useful species.” —The Professional Gardener

“In her new book, Martin offers a realistic path to success with this plan, the ‘other’ green ground cover…Whether you’re a newcomer or a (somewhat) experienced grower who wants a successful moss landscape, the book offers insights and options to help you reach your goal.” —About.com

“As informed and informative as it is beautifully illustrated and thoroughly 'user friendly' in content and presentation, The Magical World of Moss Gardening is very highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review

“The Magical World of Moss Gardening will encourage and inspire anyone new to moss gardening.” —Pumpkin Beth 

Vorwort
Annie Martin reveals the secrets of gardening with moss, opening up a new world for home gardeners looking to add something unique and environmentally conscious to their green spaces.

Autorentext

Fascinated with mosses since childhood, Annie Martin has earned her reputation as an expert through years of personal research and experimentation with moss gardening methods. Owner of Mountain Moss Enterprises, Mossin’ Annie wears many moss hats: plant rescuer, farmer, landscaper, lecturer, educator, and now, author. Born and raised in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, she passionately advocates advantages of eco-friendly mosses by imparting how-to knowledge from a practical point of view. Furthermore, she emphasizes environmental benefits to our world while placing value on the interconnectedness of nature and the human spirit. To continue your journey through the magical world of mosses, visit her website mountainmoss.com.

Leseprobe
Introduction: Moss Magic
Every time I walk out my front door, my mosses greet me, triggering a smile in my heart. The magic of my garden engulfs my spirit, and that internal smile instantaneously moves to my face. As I gaze at the dazzling mosaic of mosses in my garden, I feel immense joy and pride juxtaposed with calm. Throughout all seasons, my mosses have a magnetic quality that engulfs me. Most often, I am catching a quick glimpse for an infusion of moss magic as I head out into the world in my work as a moss landscape designer and moss farmer. What a divine way to start the day!

As I ride in my mossin’ truck along the French Broad River heading north, my moss radar is on and I spy my favorite plant growing in hummocks and carpets in the deep shade of rich cove forests, braving bright sunshine on steep hillsides, and providing glimmering red displays of sporophytes (reproductive structures equivalent to flowers) atop rocky precipices towering high above. As I pass through town, I marvel at emerald tendrils draping over the edges of rock walls and velvety green filling the cracks of sidewalks. I welcome the brief delay of a traffic light to notice some heat-tolerant species thriving on a roof and remember the time I climbed up on that roof to retrieve samples of Ceratodon and Entodon species. While often associated with the natural environment of forests and waterfalls, mosses are common in urban settings, too. To me, there is something magical in plants that can live in such dramatically different environmental conditions.

The magic of moss gardening may start with the way it makes me feel, but many other aspects of moss fuel my love affair. Mosses offer visual delights and tactile pleasures; they stoke our imagination and our memories; they connect us to earlier peoples and moss gardeners around the globe; they have countless environmental advantages and medicinal uses; and they are simply a joy to garden with. For all these reasons, moss gardening is gaining in popularity. As more people become aware of the advantages of this alternative horticultural option, I am convinced that mosses will assume a place of respect within the gardening community. Mosses are on the verge of a verdant victory.
 
Visual Delights and Tactile Pleasures
Mosses have tremendous visual appeal, offering luxuriant expanses that encompass a range of colors and a variety of textures. Horizontal growers blend together to form lush carpets tinged with variegated hues. Mounding species of upright growers range in size from small pincushions to as large as a basketball. Green may dominate a moss landscape, but you can expect brilliant jewel-tone colors—crimson red, pale pink, tangerine orange, and sunshine yellow—to burst forth during the reproductive stage, providing stunning contrasts.
 
The term moss green first appeared in print in 1884, but with the range of colors displayed by moss species, I can’t imagine which variation was given this designation. From a distance, expanses of mosses may blend into a homogenous whole. When you move in for a closer view, though, you begin to distinguish an array of tints. Shades of green reflect a tonal range and intensity of color that are a distinctive hallmark of these diminutive plants. As your visual acuity becomes attuned to the nuances, you notice that warm (yellow) and cool (blue) undertones distinguish different species. You discover mosses that are brilliant like gemstones—emerald, jade, and peridot. Others come in colors that can be associated with fruits and vegetables (Gra…