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Friday, September 24, 2010

The Beauty of Moss

As the saying goes, a rolling stone gathers no moss. But then, what fun would that be when moss is so beautiful and unique! It's like a mini coat or blanket for the rock - or a tree for that matter!


Some people find moss unattractive or a problem in their garden. But I think all types are beautiful and an added value to the woodland setting.


When I was a little girl I used to imagine little fairies or gnomes living among the green, lush moss in the yard. Doesn't this spot below look like the perfect setting for miniature, magical creatures?


Just looking again at these photos, I am transported back to the woodlands and can feel cool, dampness in the air.


I came across a blog that talks about all things related to moss, entitled "Moss Plants and More." In it, the author links to a site that sells live moss bath mats. The moss enjoys the low light and humidity the bathroom provides and the owner gets a plush, natural cushion under his or her feet. Have a look at this unique bath mat.


Moss is a very simple type of plant that lacks conventional roots, stems, and leaves. There are over 12,000 species of moss out there. Each one as beautiful and unique as another.

This photo reminds me of an ice cream sundae where the tree stump is the ice cream and the moss is the hot fudge, just oozing down the ice cream, covering every bit of it. 

Hmm... I wonder what magical creatures are living in there?

17 comments:

  1. I agree - moss is beautiful, especially in combination with ferns.

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  2. Dear Kate, I have so enjoyed looking at your mossy pictures and agree with you that moss, particularly in a woodland setting has a magically beautiful quality. I encourage moss and lichens to grow on containers in my garden [usually by painting them when new with yoghurt] since I feel that they look so much prettier with a covering of green rather than in the pristine state as when purchased.

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  3. my garden is part moorland and I have been surprised since living here at the variety of mosses growing amongst the heather, just wish I could stop the grass (which is a weed here) growing in the moss and taking over,
    have enjoyed reading your blog thanks, Frances

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  4. Edith - I had never heard of spreading yogurt on a pot to encourage the moss or lichens to grow. How quickly does it come in and you tried it on anything other than a container (ie, a bench, a post, a tree stump, a garden ornament, etc)?

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  5. Your post made me smile! I lived on the east coast as a young girl and often played in the woods. My fondest memories are of imagining fairies playing along with us on moss covered stones and trees! Thanks for the reminder.

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  6. Could not agree more - moss is beautiful to see and touch. Lovely, lovely photos. When I was a child I would make moss gardens and houses for the fairies! Recently ran my hand through thick moss on a log and a slow worm slithered out. Lots of creatures appreciate moss too.

    Laura

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  7. We love moss here too! From Oxford, UK.

    http://www.my-garden-school.com

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  8. Another moss lover. I actually have an area in my garden where it seems to be happy, although so do the weeds. A constant battle to keep them out.

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  9. Cat and Laura - how funny we shared the same fairy-in-the-moss type fantasies when we were children. am smiling just thinking about it!

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  10. Dear Kate, The yoghurt - months rather than years to encourage 'greening up'. I have never tried it on wood but on stone it has always worked a treat for me! I use the plain variety, of course, not with fruit!!

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  11. As a gardener with a fair amount of woodlandy embankment at the bottom of her garden, I quickly learned to love moss. I've even got to the stage now where I encourage it to grow on walls and pots for its appearance!

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  12. Hi Daisy, I love the photos you took of the mossy green carpet. Coincidentally I took some snapshots of moss found on some palm trees. Feel free to take a look http://onenezz.blogspot.com/2010/08/findings-on-palm-tree.html

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  13. Apologies on the wrong name. Should be Kate and not Daisygirl?

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  14. Lovely creatures, Kate! Might it be that the moss is the fairy? I love moss even in the lawn at the northern part of our garden. Eszter

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  15. Hi One - I enjoyed your blog and the photos of the moss on the palms. Very pretty!

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  16. Loved your post and I agree moss is very pretty!

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  17. I adore the look of moss growing on a variety of surfaces in the garden, softening everything with a wonderful green texture. It's very tactile. I've been encouraging it to grow for a woodland garden effect, but it is very slow in my climate.

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