Marianne's Response

Does Irish Moss need sun?

I live in Olympia and have a low maintenance front yard with a patch of Irish Moss surrounding a cement block walkway on the north side of my lot. This walkway is close to the front porch and entry and stays shaded by the house most of the year. The only part that gets much sunshine is at the east edge of this area. (As the path turns the corner and follows along the east side of the house I have planted wooly thyme which is growing very well). The last two winters the moss has turned brown and looks quite dead; except in the sunnier spot where it is beginning to green up. Last year the remaining moss didn’t green up until summer. My question: Is this area just too shaded to grow Irish Moss?? I thought it liked shade! And, if so, what is another option?

Posted by sheloshie on April 6, 2015

Marianne's Response

I have found that Irish Moss does indeed like some sunshine, so instead try planting a shade lover like lamium or ajuga if the space is large but if the space is small and moist Corsican mint would be my choice. Baby Tears is another groundcover that will stay green 10 months of the year, and Black Mondo Grass mixed in would add a dash of black accent color. You could also learn to love our native moss - some gardeners spend money on moss to enjoy the velvet texture and evergreen color but in Western Washington we are green, but not so keen on moss. I see that slowly changing as moss lawns begin to look pretty practical rather than a sign of an unkept yard. Thanks for your kind words and Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti

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