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Irish Moss Seeds
About...
Irish Moss (Sagina Subulata) - Grow this luxurious, evergreen ground cover plant from Irish Moss seeds! Mossy foliage grows just 1 - 2 inches tall, for lovely color between flagstones or spilling over rocks. Dense tufts of slender stems grow together to form a lush carpet of green.
MORE GROUND COVER OPTIONS
Groundcover Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
4 - 10
HEIGHT
1 - 2 inches
WIDTH
6 - 12 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Spring and summer
BLOOM COLOR
White
GROWTH RATE
Moderate
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun to partial shade
FOOT TRAFFIC
Moderate
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
LATIN NAME
Sagina subulata
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
64 - 72F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
14 - 21 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
Surface sow seed, do not cover
SOIL TYPE
Moisture retentive, gritty, well-drained soil, pH 5.5 - 7.0
SOWING RATE
3 - 5 seeds per cell or approximately 5000 seeds covers 100 square feet
MOISTURE
Keep soil slightly moist, but not wet until germination
PLANT SPACING
6 - 9 inches
Irish Moss (Sagina Subulata) - Some of the images above are Irish Moss started from seed. Flowering occured approximately 3 months later, but this is quite variable. In just eight weeks, the Irish moss was thick and full. Grow this luxurious, evergreen ground cover plant from Irish Moss seed. Mossy foliage grows just 1 - 2 inches tall, for lovely color between flagstones or spilling over rocks. Dense tufts of slender stems grow together to form a lush carpet of green. Small, star-shaped, white flowers cover this flowering ground cover plant from late spring until mid-summer.
Common Questions
What are some recommended companion plants?
Plants such as creeping thyme, hosta, foamflower and heuchera all work well together.
How is Irish Moss used in the landscape?
Irish moss is typically used as a ground cover, in rock gardens, or in containers.
Do I need to fertilize my Irish Moss plants?
Apply a slow-release fertilizer each spring to encourage your Irish moss to grow evenly to a height of 1 to 2 inches. It's best to choose a balanced 5-5-5 NPK fertilizer or a formula with slightly lower nitrogen content. Excess nitrogen from over-fertilization can lead to erratic growth, causing the moss to develop an undulating shape instead of maintaining a compact, low profile.
What is the best way to water Irish moss plants?
Finding the right watering balance for Irish moss can be challenging. Overwatering or underwatering can lead to brown patches. Ideally, the soil should remain consistently moist but not soggy. Water your Irish moss in the morning to prevent early evaporation; a soaker hose set to a gentle rainfall mode is ideal. Remember, Irish moss is not drought-tolerant, so it requires regular watering every few days, depending on the heat.
Do I need to prune my plants?
Trimming Irish moss is not essential; however, you may wish to cut it back from steps, pavers, and other structures to maintain a tidy appearance. If you decide to prune, use clean scissors or shears for the task. Otherwise, Irish moss thrives best when allowed to grow naturally.
Can Irish Moss withstand foot traffic?
Absolutely! Once established, Irish moss can tolerate light foot traffic; however, it's advisable to avoid walking on it until it is fully settled in your landscape. If you're in search of a more resilient ground cover that can endure wear and tear, consider choosing creeping thyme instead.
Flower Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
4 - 8
HEIGHT
12 - 18 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Winter
BLOOM COLOR
White
ENVIRONMENT
Partial shade
SOIL TYPE
Moist, well-drained, pH 6.2 - 7.4
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
HOUSE PLANT
Yes
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
70F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
28 - 56 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
1/16 inch
SOWING RATE
5 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
18 inches
Christmas Rose (Helleborus Niger) - Christmas Rose seeds can be started to grow this unique ornamental that blooms in the winter. Helleborus Niger Christmas Rose has a rugged, coarse-textured, leathery, shiny green foliage that remains attractive year-round. The plant is stemless, herbaceous and can be used as a ground cover that reaches 12 - 18 inches tall and spreads about the same across.
Great for edging
Grow Christmas Rose from flower seeds and use the ground cover plants to line the edges of a sidewalk or garden path. Edging a path is job that they perform very well and they can be seen up close and fully appreciated.
Christmas rose seed |
How to grow
How To Grow Christmas Rose From Seed: If sowing the Christmas Rose seeds directly outdoors, sow the ground cover seeds in the fall. The flower seeds require a cold treatment to germinate. You can either sow them on the ground where you will be growing them permanently or sow the seeds in pots, and then bring the pots in after a month or so of freezing weather. The freezing will encourage them to germinate more easily.
If you choose to sow the Christmas Rose flower seeds indoors, freeze the seeds for 3 - 6 weeks to break dormancy, then plant the flower seeds in starting medium. When the plant is around 2 inches tall, transplant to the permanent place. Helleborus Niger plants can take up to 3 years to flower when grown by seeds. Christmas Rose is a poisonous plant.
- Sowing Rate: 5 seeds per plant
- Average Germ Time: 28 - 56 days
- Keep moist until germination
- Attracts bumblebees
- Depth: 1/16 inch
Flower Specifications
Christmas Rose flowers bloom in early winter to early spring with white flowers that might be tinged with pink. Christmas Rose plants are a perfect addition to give a garden some winter color. Foot traffic is not recommended.
- Height: 12 - 18 inches
- USDA Zones: 4 - 8
- Season: Perennial
- Deer Resistant: Yes