Some plants have the audacity to sneak into our gardens and yards when they have not been invited. What about those peculiar plants that appear in our shady places where grass and/or plants have trouble growing?
I am speaking of mosses. Mosses are primitive plants in the Bryophyte division, which have no flowers or roots. Mosses thrive in humid, moist, shady spots. They get their drinks from absorbing through their leaves and stems because they have no roots.
Did you know there are people who actually want mosses in their yards? And more importantly, there are nurseries that produce and sell them? An article in Southern Living magazine encourages the use of moss gardens for their beauty and interest. Also, with several areas that are covered with moss in my yard, I have gotten the message that if you can't beat them, join them. Therefore, I am looking at the spots of moss in my yard with a lot more pride and interest.
Mosses are attractive between cracks in rock walks and walls. They soften the effect by giving a rainforest look. They can help prevent erosion by growing in bare subsoil after your topsoil has washed down the hill. I can personally attest to this.
If you are having trouble growing grass in shady areas, let the moss grow. It is better adapted to shade, and it is green and pretty. Just get down low enough so you can put your bifocals on the moss and appreciate its beauty.
Ann Smith, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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