Sometimes it's even referred to as a cultivar of this species. Tiny little white flowers begin to appear in late spring. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Adding moss to a garden will create a carpet that will act as a nutrient-rich barrier to soil erosion, help prevent excess water from being lost during dry periods, and keep seeds from nearby plants and trees from being washed away while also providing them with … Thrives in average, well-drained soils. Resembling moss, Sagina subulata (Irish Moss) is a prostrate herbaceous evergreen perennial forming a dense, compact mat of ground-hugging, emerald-green foliage. When planting Scotch moss in a sloping rock garden or similar area, use netting to keep the plants in place until they are established. It can handle a lot of sun, dries up if left without water, but returns in early spring. Tiny translucent white flowers add to its beauty in spring. Don't expect Scotch Moss to thrive in shaded, damp conditions like a true moss species will. Moderate grower to 1 in. It transplants easily and the clumps spread quickly. It takes little effort to lift out clumps, or you can cut a section out. Sagina subulata (heath pearlwort, Irish-moss, awl-leaf pearlwort or Scottish moss; syn. Partial to full sun. It can also be very useful as an attractive soil cover in container gardens. Irish Moss seeds can be direct sown into the garden or in-between stones. The perennial mat is seaweed that has tiny lime green leaves and blooms with little white flowers in the spring and summer. Excellent for filling in between the cracks of flagstone paving, in the rock garden as a lawn substitute. It can also tolerate partial shade, but too much can result in the plant becoming a less compact ground cover. Sagina subulata, Heath Pearlwort or IRISH MOSS SEEDS, Perfect In Garden, Lawn Substitue or In-Between Stones, Groundcover Heath Pearlwort, Zones 4-10 Sagina subulata (Heath Pearlwort or Irish Moss, syn. Or use in containers, or as small-scale ground cover. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture. Your climate might be too cold for this plant: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. Takes sun in cool, coastal regions; best in bright shade, particularly in hot southern climates. Scotch moss may be started indoors from seed by following the seed company’s recommendations. An extremely popular groundcover plant, this forms a very low moss-like carpet of bright neon-yellow foliage. Seeds can be grown indoors during the winter season and then transplanted outdoors after the last of the frosts. PRIVACY POLICY|TERMS & CONDITIONS|SITE MAP. Although it's relatively slow-growing, because it's self-seeding, once well-established, Scotch Moss can get overcrowded. Scotch Moss is easy to propagate. However, as seeds are sown on the surface, they may be subject to predation from hungry birds through the winter. I would like to grow scotch moss between the flagstones of my path. My Scotch Moss has small chartreuse flowers in early spring. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . Use Irish and Scotch moss where a very low, fine-textured carpet of green or gold is desired, such as around stepping stones, between flagstones, or at the edges of a path as they tolerate light foot traffic. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. The British Natural History Museum lists S. subulata as native to Scotland where it is known in English as Heath Pearlwort and in Gaelic as Mungan M'intich. wide. They are actually creeping, flowering perennials related to Dianthus. Unlike true mosses, Scotch moss will grow well in partial sunlight, and is especially effective in a … apart; closer for faster fill. Mature Spread: 10-12 Inches. Irish Moss Seeds | Irish Moss Ground Cover Seeds | Sagina Subulata Seeds Raw & Pelleted Irish Moss Seeds ... Did you scroll all this way to get facts about scotch moss? Irish Moss Pearlwort Sagina Subulata is a luxuriant, evergreen, perennial ground cover plant native to Europe. Irish moss, also known as Scotch moss or sandwort, usually fills gaps in rock gardens, around trees or in other landscape areas where a low blanket of green can highlight the design. The British Natural History Museum lists S. subulata as native to Scotland where it is known in English as Heath Pearlwort and in Gaelic as Mungan M'intich. If this plant is grown in a temperate climate, in a good-quality soil, and in a sunny or partial shade position, it's likely to do well without much maintenance. The other option is to sow them outdoors when the temperatures are mild enough. Scotch Moss is easy to grow … Both Irish and Scotch Moss produce tiny flowers which develop seeds. It may struggle with the intense heat of the afternoons of the South. Scotch Moss is native to Western and Eastern Europe, and it thrives in mild, temperate climates. Well-drained soil is an absolute must for this plant as it won't tolerate standing water. Instead, it makes a good choice for growing in rock gardens, in between flagstones, and along path edges in gardens that receive a decent amount of sun. Irish moss will grow very well in dry conditions with high humidity. Scotch Moss is an excellent choice for filling in between the gaps of stepping stones or pavers, in the rock garden, or as a lawn substitute in relatively small areas. Providing it isn't going to suffer intense afternoon heat, it does best in sun. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Forms a ground-hugging, soft green carpet. Creeping, yellow-green foliage. Studded with a galaxy of white flowers for a short time in mid-summer. Irish moss, sometimes known as Scotch moss, isn't actually a moss at all. Irish moss is a rich emerald green. Plants need afternoon shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Also, the tiny white flowers that begin to bloom in late spring develop in clusters rather than individually. It can start grow irregularly giving it a unattractive undulating appearance. If the plant receives too much nitrogen, it can encourage excessive growth, and this can lead to mounds forming rather than the desired flat carpet-like appearance. They are the sized of a fly speck and hard to gather, but I have done so as of last summer, but as yet, I have not planted the seed. 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