Thursday, March 19, 2020

Idee Fixe

My obsession with mosses is not a new idea. I have several damp areas in my garden that grows two types of moss.  The only moss I have introduced is this dark green moss (below) that I found growing on a decommissioned bridge. This is one thing about moss you shouldn't take it from any wildlife refuge, park or private property unless  you have permission. I figured that this bridge will certainly be taken down sometime in the near future so I helped myself to some of it. 
The moss below is growing on the base of an old Redbud tree in my garden. These types of moss that grow on the base of a tree are called 'Apron Moss'. Of course these mosses each have a scientific name but that is where I get left behind. Those little red stems are the Sporophytes with capsules on the end.  See I am learning.
This beautiful bright light green moss is what has started this whole obsession with moss. It is common as an old shoe because I see it everywhere now. It began growing in what can be a very wet place just outside our fence line.
I remember looking there after the rain soaked in one time and saw all the brilliant green moss shining and wishing it would come on into the garden. 
I think it heard me. Because a couple of years ago I discovered a small patch of it growing along a path. I started removing the weeds and grass growing in it to encourage it and it grew. This spring my Idee Fixe (an idea or desire that dominates the mind; an obsession) sprung to life. I just had to get in there and do something with it.
I removed stones from a path that was never used and brought the stones around. I got a few of the stones set and moss around them. Rain was predicted for several days so I called in the big guns. I asked my DB to help me finish the stones so I could get the moss in place before all the rain. 
He cheerfully (?) complied.  From here you would be looking South to Northish.
I keep harvesting from the side lot. 
Trying to fit in 'starter' pieces around the stones. This view is from the North to South.
 

Since the dark moss came off the old bridge which was concrete I thought I would try a spot of it on one of the stones. I can't wait to see if it grows. Since they have blocked off this bridge to traffic the moss has almost overtaken the bridge. It is quite a sight.
The stones are all tucked in with all the moss I could procure right now. 
What I have to do now is wait. 
As you see below, the rain has come. Before I could not have walked through here without boots but now I have a nice dry stepping stone path.
What I see from here is potential for more yet. More stones and more moss area. 
 I have been on two hikes this past year with people that know much more about this subject than I ever will. I have learned about some must have books if you are interested in this subject at all. These three books that I find are most informative and engaging. 
The book Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians by Karl McKnight, Joseph Rohrer, Kirsten McKnight Ward, and Warren Perdrizet is a great field guide for my area. At least as close as a book is to my area. There aren't that many field guides to mosses. Mosses aren't appreciated by everyone. When I finally decide which mosses I have I will update with the species. The field guide was suggested to me by my friend that is my go to wildflower expert in these parts. She told me that this was the best field guide she had ever seen or tried to use. I must agree because they tell you how to use the guide, the pictures are excellent and there is so much information.
The book Gathering Moss A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a great read. She is a bryologist yet she also looks at moss through her Native American culture.  
The third book The Magical World of Moss Gardening by Annie Martin is where she tells you all about moss gardening and even tells you of places to purchase moss from ethical gatherers and growers. Annie's charming stories and great advise will give you a good read.
There you have it. My Idee fixe  that dominates my mind this early spring. Do you have an idea you are working on?
And no I haven't been paid to say anything nice about these books.I bought them of my own accord.  I just happen to find them by looking for moss information. 

18 comments:

  1. We have so much moss in our shady lawn that Tom has decided to let it prevail where it wants to. He has stopped fighting it. It will be a moss carpet. Less mowing.
    Mosses are fascinating plants. especially when you get down to their level and really study them.

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  2. OOoooohhhh, I too love moss. It's my screen saver, my blog, and probably places I don't even realize. Your path is beautiful. Wait til the foliage fills in around it:-)

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  3. I just absolutely love what you have done with stones and moss. It is already looking great and when it fills all in it will be awesome. I knew nothing about moss (until now) except spanish moss. Living in the south my whole life, I am quite familiar with it, and with the chiggers it sometimes holds. Been there done that! ;) Your moss is beautiful!

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    1. Hi JC, Spanish Moss isn't really a moss. It is a bromeliad. Crazy isn't it. There are other plants named "moss" that aren't really moss either.

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  4. Mos is erg mooi, vooral die met de rode steeltjes.
    Gr Jan(Wilde een Tuin)

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  5. Oh I love the moss growing on the north side of my house and I like your idea of a stone path ~ You and hubby (a little help) have made a lovely stone path with moss surrounding them ~ love it!

    Keep Calm and Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  6. The moss with the Sporophytes is other-worldly, Lisa. Moss is a scarce commodity here as you might imagine given our overall dry conditions. However, much to my own surprise, I have a little in 2 spots in my current garden. It doesn't stop any visitor in their tracks but I always notice it.

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    1. Kris I have read that there are mosses that have adapted to dry situations. Interesting that you have some in your garden. I have been in AZ where I have seen all sorts of lichen on rocks. I will look for moss next time I am there.

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  7. That's really interesting, a lot I did not know, because our climate doesn't have much in the way of moss--too sunny, too dry. There is a bit here and there in the back gully, in places where the sun never reaches even in summer, but nothing significant.

    The decommissioned bridge you mentioned must look dramatic--photo opportunity?

    Your path looks great! The moss makes it even better.

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  8. HB I looked at that bridge as a photo opp but didn't have my camera with me. I will be back to take it's picture some time. We go there to bird because it is near a river.

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  9. Second day of rain here ~ hope you are doing well ~

    Keep Calm and Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  10. I didn’t know that there are many types of moss, Lisa. This moss on your path is so unusually bright. In my garden, moss grows only on the trunks of apple trees, so I clean it so that the trunks do not spoil.

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    1. Hello Nadezda, Moss will not harm your tree. It is perfectly natural for it to grow there. If you have lichen and moss on a tree it means it is a healthy place to be because there isn't too much pollution. Ivy and Euynomous will kill a tree if you let it grow on it.

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  11. I like moss, too. I consider myself lucky that it grows spontaneously in a few areas of the garden. It seems to like growing between/on some of the pavers.

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  12. I too love moss!!! It grows in various wet, shady areas of my yard and I encourage it. It grows a lot in my front yard grass, where I grab clumps of it to use in pots around the base of plants like a mulch. I love how it dresses up the pot and makes everything look more natural.
    Your moss is filling in very nicely and if you are like us, here in central Ohio, we have already this year had twice as much rain as normal. With more in the next 10-day forecast. This is definitely moss weather.

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    1. Yes we have had a LOT of rain. More is expected here too. It is a good thing for this project to help the moss get settled.

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