Sagina Species, Corsican Pearl Wort, Heath Pearlwort, Irish Moss, Scottish Moss

I have started some Irish Moss from seed between stepping stones in a very shady area (maybe an hour of light at sunset) and it takes vig...Read Moreilant watering for it to become established, but the two patches from seed are tough, if not robust, and have come back after the last two winters (-20, zone 5). They tolerate the heavy clay, but do not thrive, and got some sand mixed in last summer when I put in a brick patio nearby, which didn't help the soil. I started some nursery plants on that same side and lost them due to underwatering and general neglect.

Last year, I started some nursery plants (3" pots) between stones on the opposite side of the house (SE exposure, 2-4 hours of sun) and stayed on top of weeding and watering--they just want a slight drink every couple days when it's hot, or a deep water weekly in spring and fall if it's dry. These patches took off (especially when it's cool and moist in the spring) and I was able to cut 1" plugs from the healthiest patches to help fill in the bare areas--these plugs have spread to 5-6" in the past two months.

I've also had problems with browning from the center. I haven't tried surgery yet, but I think when the plants are really spreading out and putting on new growth, the center gets bunched up and mounds--this separates the mat from the soil in the center and the center area can't get enough water. I'm going to experiment with watching for the mounding/browning and cut out a crescent-shaped piece from the center, allowing me to push the entire mat down flat to the ground again (and plant the extra piece in a bare spot!).

These can be a PITA to weed, as I have grass and clovers that still pop through the areas the Irish Moss has spread to, and make sure you make a couple passes with your mower pointing AWAY from your Irish Moss, as clippings get caught up on top of the mats and starve them for sunlight.

They'll look great when they're finally filled in and already look darn cute after a good weeding, but I imagine they'll take a little more maintenance than average over the next few years with the micro-weeding and watering in hot weather.

These plants overwintered well with no winterizing on the SE exposure--just a few small brown spots this spring, but I covered my seed starts (exposed to NW) with straw two winters ago and they were the greenest thing in the yard the following spring.

Worth the effort here for the inimitable aesthetics!

Deeper rooted than it appears. From a single planting 2 years ago I now have several thriving patches, in well drained, rich soil, full ...Read Moresun. As soon as it hits full shade it stops. Survives well in an exposed location in 5a. Lovely textural contrast in perennial bed, non invasive.

I have not been successful growing this plant. I've tried half-day sun with well drained soil, frequent watering.

I have planted Irish Moss in a stone path. In some places, it is doing great. In others, it seems to turn brown from the center to the ...Read Moreoutside. Don't know what's causing it. Overwater? Probably not, as we live in a very dry mountain climate.

I had this planted in a hot dry area at my last house and it did very well. It is now planted in full (but bright) shade in a moist area ...Read Moreamong hostas and is doing equally well. Seeds around a bit, but is easy to remove. One seedling showed up on a nearby rock path and seems to hold up well to moderate foot traffic. Very versatile.

I'd like to plant Sagina Subulata seeds in a sunny rocky border in Denver, Co. Is it possible in the summer or should I wait? Also, th...Read Moree soil quality isn't the greatest, am I wasting my time? Thanks to all!

I didn't expect it to do well, but it is flourishing where we have it. It is on the NW side of the house in partial-shade, in a corner th...Read Moreat stays damp most of the day. Hopefully it survives the long, hot summer. :)

I live in the Boston area, and this is my first year growing Sagina subulata. I got three plants mail order. They arrived in a variety ...Read Moreof conditions (from poor to reasonably healthy) on 4/12/2008. Over the last couple of months I have nursed them all to health. The healthy (initially planted in partial sun) has about doubled in size. I can't speak to overwintering yet. Soil here is naturally clay, though I have amended it heavily. The other two which I planted in full sun and full shade both appeared to be less than ideal. I have transplanted them to partial sun, and they seem happier. Moderate sun and lots of water till established seemed to work for me. Which makes sense to me because the root system is really shallow.

This is a beautiful plant that I have tried on many occasions, but it always dies when I put it out. I have tried it in multiple places, ...Read Moreall with different growing conditions, but it was not happy anywhere. I have a small pot of it that I over-wintered to try one last time. If it survives (and thrives) I will change to a positive experience, but I am not holding my breath.

Tends to die on me - no matter where I tried to grow it, it keep dies back. In public gardens, they tend to develops bare spots and becom...Read Moree unsightly if replanting and high care are not taken for this species. I live in zone 4 so hot weather may not be the cause but watering and drainage might be a problem.

I have tried this plant in both morning sun and almost full sun. It does not do well. If I keep it watered it holds it's own, but if I g...Read Moreo a few days without watering it dries up. I am thinking of moving it to full shade.

This plant has been growing for me 3 years. Helps with a very small area between the garage sidewalk and the patio, where it can get step...Read Moreped on.

One thing that I notice the seed pods; tiny soft balls, will get stuck in my dogs fur in the feet and beard. I pick them out so the hair won't get matted.

A great vascular-plant alternative to true moss. (Hey, it blooms!) Sun is best. -Thicker and shorter.
Good things:
Ablolu...Read Moretely ideal background/mulch for small, but brightly colored bulbs such as galanthus, crocus, scilla, Frit. michailovskyi, and even fall leaves!
Great weed-discouraging green-mulch.
Very effective between stone pavers, between rocks, and your other creative ideas.

My tip: Don't get too creative and think that a patchwork or checkerboard of the species and gold-cultivar 'Aurea' will be nice: they mix with eachother and lose any appeal!

Spreads nicely in winter, disappears in summer, eventually dies out. Our climate is probably too hot for it.

Have grown both Scotish and Irish moss in a window box with northern exposure. Needs SOME protection to overwinter (I put the window box...Read More next against wall outside building during the winter.)

Nice mossy carpet groundcover. Looks great with other small plants. Does not seem to have any problems. Spreads nicely, but not invasively.