Tabletop Moss

Moss adds so much

Many gardeners have become interested in using moss in their landscapes. 
Now imagine capturing the lush serenity of a moss garden and shrinking it down in a miniature tabletop moss garden. The deep colors and textures of moss create a container garden that is soothing to look at and so fun to touch.

Table top Moss centerpiece with 2 different types of Irish Moss. This is from Martha Stewart.com - Outdoor Entertaining and Ideas. Or go here for more

How to do this? Well, the Martha Stewart people suggest filling a galvanized-metal planter (available at garden centers) with fresh potting soil and buy two kinds of Irish moss (the dark-green Sagina subulata and the chartreuse S. subulata 'Aurea') to create a checkerboard pattern.

Irish Moss - Lush deep green moss-like carpet of foliage 1" tall. Tiny translucent star-shaped white flowers appear in spring. Plant in rock gardens and between stepping stones or pavers. Full sun - half sun Zones 4-8. Photo source- Bluestone Perennials

Yellow Irish Moss - Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’ has chartreuse green, moss-like foliage which makes a soft, rolling carpet of lush greenery. Tiny white flowers cover the plant in early summer. Zones 4-8. Plant alongside Irish Moss for great contrast! Source - Little Prince

Plant in any moist, well-drained soil with regular water. May need afternoon shade in very hot climates. Irish Moss is a great choice for lush groundcover or planted between stepping stones. Tolerates light amount of foot traffic.

 After a few days, they say you should plant the moss in your garden. What a great idea!

You can do this yourself or buy a tabletop moss kit from Moss Acres.

The Moss Acres website also sells a Tabletop Zen Garden in a Japanese-style ceramic bowl that features 3 Species of Live moss (Hypnum, Dicranum, Luecobryum),1 Piece Live Reindeer Lichen,1 Piece Live Moss Branch, 1 Small Live Fern

You put it together yourself....Water your new indoor garden once a week and mist it frequently to enjoy rich contrasts of tranquil greens.

There are many kinds of mosses you can use - take lift them from the outdoors (this should not be done on a large scale!) or order them on line at moss acres.com. They have a great video about making a moss garden - go here.

Sunset magazine suggests a table top moss garden set atop a cookie sheet. Pasadena landscape architect Heather Lenkin created this centerpiece by soaking floral moss in water to make it easier to work with, tear off chunks, squeeze out excess water, then place moss atop a cookie sheet.

Table top moss from Sunset Magazine

On the moss, center a votive tray with a succulent in each candle slot―no need for soil. Mist to keep the arrangement fresh

Did this inspire you? Go out and collect or buy some moss and rocks and ferns. Find some inexpensive bowls, Have fun arranging it all and grow it on. These tabletop moss bowls make a great gift.

There are also a number of beautiful moss-like creeping plants you can use. Selaginella and baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) are convincing substitutes.

And look at these combo ideas for tabletop moss from Sunset Magazine:

 Black reindeer moss with a blue-gray tillandsia

Green reindeer moss with tiny violas from Sunset Magazine

Mix some violas (Viola tricolor) with moss to brighten up the look. They come back after rain beats down on them- hence the name, "Johnny jump-up." They are smaller than pansies but have more flowers per plant. They come in purple, blue, yellow, white, and cream and bi-colored varieties.

I hope you enjoyed this way to add serene, green moss to your life.

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