How do you plant and care for Scotch Moss?
How to Plant & Care for Scotch Moss. Scotch moss (Sagina subulata) is not a true moss but a low-growing evergreen perennial that hugs the ground as it grows, eventually spreading into a soft ground cover. Unlike true mosses, Scotch moss will grow well in partial sunlight, and is especially effective in a rock garden or between paving stones.
What does Scotch Moss look like?
Tiny, white, star-shaped flowers appear on Scotch moss in late spring and early summer. Purchase Scotch moss starter plants at a greenhouse or garden center that carries ground covers. Choose compact plants with healthy, bright color. Prepare a spot with moist, well-drained soil.
Does Scotch Moss die in the winter?
But as a herbaceous perennial, expect Scotch moss to die back in the winter, which will leave you with some bare spots in your yard until the following spring. The good news is that Scotch moss is a moderately fast grower – hardly the quickest perennial – but not the slowest, either.
What is Scottish moss ground cover?
And it's not a moss; it's actually in the carnation family. This relationship explains one of the more surprising characteristics of Scottish moss ground cover: It blooms with tiny white flowers in the spring but remains surprisingly simple to care for.
What is Scotch Moss?
What type of soil does Scotch Moss prefer?
Why divide clumps at this point?
Why is my sage turning brown?
Can Scotch Moss grow in partial shade?
Can you use Scotch Moss divisions?
Is Scotch Moss a cultivar?
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How to protect scotch moss from freezing?
Cover Scotch moss with 3 to 4 inches of mulch if you live in a climate with hard winter freezes. Mulches such as straw, dry grass, pine needles or shredded bark will protect the roots during cold weather. Remove the mulch in early spring so the Scotch moss can grow unencumbered.
How to grow Scotch Moss?
The hole should be just large enough to accommodate the plant's root ball, as planting Scotch moss too deeply can cause the plant to rot. Water the Scotch moss immediately after planting. Keep the soil evenly moist by watering at least once a week, especially during the plant's first spring and summer. ...
When does Scotch moss bloom?
Tiny, white, star-shaped flowers appear on Scotch moss in late spring and early summer.
Can you prune scotch moss?
Although Scotch moss can be lightly pruned if necessary, the plant will do better if left alone. Although Scotch moss can be lightly pruned if necessary, the plant will do better if left alone. M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer.
Can scotch moss grow in the shade?
If possible, plant Scotch moss where it will be exposed to morning sunlight and afternoon shade. The plant will not grow in total shade, but too much hot sunlight can burn it. Scotch moss (Sagina subulata) is not a true moss but a low-growing evergreen perennial that hugs the ground as it grows, eventually spreading into a soft ground cover.
Scotch Moss
An extremely popular groundcover plant, this forms a very low moss-like carpet of bright neon-yellow foliage. Tiny little white flowers begin to appear in late spring. Excellent for filling in between the cracks of flagstone paving, in the rock garden as a lawn substitute. Dislikes both drought and soggy wet soils.
Plant number: 1.460.100
An extremely popular groundcover plant, this forms a very low moss-like carpet of bright neon-yellow foliage. Tiny little white flowers begin to appear in late spring. Excellent for filling in between the cracks of flagstone paving, in the rock garden as a lawn substitute. Dislikes both drought and soggy wet soils.
Why does Scotch moss go dormant?
During the heat of summer, Scotch moss can become too leggy and even go dormant from not getting sufficient moisture. It will usually revive as temperatures begin to drop with the changing of seasons.
How to propagate Scotch Moss?
Propagate Scotch moss in the spring by breaking sections off its root ball and replanting.
Is Scotch Moss a perennial?
Perfect around stepping stones, throughout rock gardens, and as a groundcover, Scotch moss is a low, mat-forming perennial that remains an evergreen in zones 3 through 9. Reaching heights of only 1 to 2 inches, Scotch moss (Sagina subulata) has striking chartreuse green or golden spiky foliage and stems that creep along the ground. In the late spring to early summer, Scotch moss blooms with a delicate white flower. With a requirement of light to medium shade, Scotch moss adapts to almost any soil: normal, clay or sandy.
When was Linda Marie published?
Linda Marie was first published in 1969 while a feature news writer for the "Selfridge Flyer". She has held positions in broadcast copywriting, trade magazine publications, retail advertising and medical marketing. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.
Why is my Scotch Moss browning out?
Perhaps the biggest challenge in caring for Scotch moss is keeping it moist, and evenly so, but never wet. Too much water or too little water could cause the plant to “brown out.”. Plus, as a sun lover, the plant loses moisture faster than a true moss plant.
How tall is Scotch Moss?
Its neon yellow-emerald green foliage ensures people will take notice. Standing no more than 2 inches tall (at least until the flowers appear), Scotch moss is so strong and durable that it can withstand “light foot traffic.”. This means that it practically invites activity but shouldn't be used as a walkway, either.
How to keep soil moist without weeds?
But if didn't, remain vigilant about removing weeds when they appear. And since it's never too late to mulch, the University of Illinois Extension recommends adding a 1- or 2-inch layer to help keep the soil moist.
Can Scotch Moss grow in the shade?
But rather than growing it in the shade near moisture, Scotch moss prefers full sun to part shade and must have superb drainage. As such, it's one of the best plants for pathways, in rock gardens, and for filling in gaping space between flagstones or pavers, North Carolina State Extension says.
Is Scotch Moss a carnation?
It's a ground cover, but it craves more sun than shade. And it's not a moss; it's actually in the carnation family.
Can you use Scotch Moss?
You Can Put Scotch Moss to Work. If you ever appear on a game show and the category is “Scotch moss,” you'd be smart to concede an obvious point: It does in fact resemble moss, at least “superficially,” the University of Wisconsin-Madison says.
What is Scotch Moss?
Scotch moss offers a golden-green shade rather than the bright green seen in the more widely available Irish Moss. Also, the tiny white flowers that begin to bloom in late spring develop in clusters rather than individually. Botanical Name. Arenaria verna. Common Name.
What type of soil does Scotch Moss prefer?
Soil. Scotch Moss prefers a fertile, moist soil. It can manage in sandy, loamy and chalky varieties, but if the soil isn't particularly fertile, it may benefit from having additional organic matter added. Well-drained soil is an absolute must for this plant as it won't tolerate standing water .
Why divide clumps at this point?
Dividing the clumps at this point will help ensure the ground cover can grow to the best advantage.
Why is my sage turning brown?
Although it likes the sun, overly hot conditions can result in the plant burning and turning an unattractive brown rather than the usual golden-green shade. 1
Can Scotch Moss grow in partial shade?
Full shade is a recipe for disaster when it comes to Scotch Moss. Providing it isn't going to suffer intense afternoon heat, it does best in sun. It can also tolerate partial shade, but too much can result in the plant becoming a less compact ground cover. It can start grow irregularly giving it a unattractive undulating appearance.
Can you use Scotch Moss divisions?
This isn't just helpful for populating other areas in the garden. These divisions can be used to replace areas of Scotch Moss that have become overly brown too.
Is Scotch Moss a cultivar?
Scotch Moss ( Arenaria verna) is often confused with its close relative - Irish Moss. Sometimes it's even referred to as a cultivar of this species. Scotch Moss is actually a species all of its own, although it's still part of the Carnation family ( Caryophyllaceae ). It's sometimes also referred to as Moss Sandwort.
