Companion plants can bring an extra splash of color, a variety of textures, and a range of heights to your moss garden. They can also contribute to a more balanced ecosystem and offer additional living spaces for beneficial insects.
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Best Companion Plants
I. Ferns:
Ferns make great companions for moss gardens. They flourish in similar conditions and provide a lush, green background for your garden. For more inspiration, check out these traditional Japanese garden plants.
Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern)
The Japanese Painted Fern, or Athyrium niponicum, has stunning silver and burgundy leaves that make it a fantastic addition to any moss garden.
About the Plant
Has silver and burgundy leaves
Can reach up to 18 inches in height
Likes to be in the shade
How to Take Care of It
Here’s how to look after your Japanese Painted Fern:
Ensure the ground is always damp
Make sure there is a lot of shade
Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
The Maidenhair Fern is recognized for its fragile, lace-like fronds. It brings a gentle, breezy texture to your moss garden.
About
Fine, lacy leaves
Can reach 24 inches in height
Enjoys shady spots
How to Look After
Looking after your Maidenhair Fern:
Ensure the soil remains damp at all times
Ensure the plant is kept in a shaded area
Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring
Maintenance Advice
For the best results with your Maidenhair Fern, you should:
Ensure the soil is always damp
Ensure there is enough shade
Use a balanced fertilizer during spring
Small Hostas
Small Hostas are great for adding a pop of color and texture to your moss garden. They do well in similar conditions and provide a nice contrast to the green moss. For more ideas on enhancing your garden, check out top garden plants for texture, shape, and color.
‘Blue Mouse Ears’
‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a small Hosta with thick, blue-green leaves. It’s perfect for tight spaces and brings a touch of color to your garden.
About the Plant
Has thick, blue-green leaves
Can grow up to 6 inches in height
Blooms lavender flowers during the summer
How to Care
Here’s how to care for your ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ Hosta:
Place in areas with full or partial shade
Maintain the soil’s moisture
Apply a balanced fertilizer during the spring season
‘Pandora’s Box’
‘Pandora’s Box’ is a small Hosta with variegated leaves. It’s the perfect addition to your moss garden if you’re looking for a touch of sophistication.
About
Leaves are variegated with white centers and green borders
Reaches a height of 4 inches
Blooms lavender flowers in the summer
How to Care
Here’s how to take care of your ‘Pandora’s Box’ Hosta:
Choose locations with shade or partial shade
Ensure the ground is always damp
Use a balanced plant food in the springtime
‘Tiny Tears’
‘Tiny Tears’ is a petite Hosta with slender, green foliage. It’s a wonderful option for giving your moss garden some variety.
Features
Thin, green foliage
Can reach heights of 4 inches
Blooms lavender flowers during the summer
How to Nurture
Here’s how to look after your ‘Tiny Tears’ Hosta:
Position in areas that are either shaded or semi-shaded
Ensure that the soil is always kept moist
Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring
II. Dwarf Conifers:
Dwarf conifers bring structure and height to your moss garden. They flourish in similar conditions and offer a stunning contrast to the soft, green moss.
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ (Japanese Garden Juniper)
The Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’, also known as the Japanese Garden Juniper, is a low-lying conifer that boasts dense, blue-green leaves. It’s the ideal plant to bring a sense of sophistication to your moss garden.
Description
It has a low-growing, dense foliage
Its color is blue-green
It can grow up to 12 inches tall
Care Tips
Here’s how to care for your Japanese Garden Juniper:
Make sure to plant in soil that drains well
Ensure the plant gets full to partial shade
Keep the soil moist by watering regularly
Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’)
The Dwarf Hinoki Cypress is a small conifer that boasts rich, dark green leaves. It’s a stunning addition to any moss garden.
Characteristics
Small, thick leaves
Deep green shade
Reaches a height of 3 feet
Maintenance Advice
Here’s how to take care of your Dwarf Hinoki Cypress:
Plant in a soil that drains well
Ensure full to partial shade
Water frequently to maintain moist soil
Dwarf Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Tansu’)
The Dwarf Japanese Cedar is a tiny conifer with soft, green leaves. It’s great for adding structure and height to your moss garden.
Characteristics
Velvety, green leaves
Can reach a height of 2 feet
Compact and dense growth pattern
Maintenance Tips
To maintain your Dwarf Japanese Cedar:
Ensure the soil is well-drained
Ensure the area is fully to partially shaded
Water frequently to maintain soil moisture
III. Additional Companion Plants:
Aside from ferns, hostas, and dwarf conifers, there are many other plants that would be great additions to your moss garden. For more inspiration, check out these top garden plants that can add texture, shape, and color to your landscape design.
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
Japanese Forest Grass is a great addition to your moss garden, with its elegant, arching shape. It has vibrant green leaves that turn a stunning gold color in the autumn.
About the Plant
Has a vibrant green color
Can grow as tall as 18 inches
Changes to a golden hue during autumn
How to Care for It
Here’s how to take care of your Japanese Forest Grass:
Make sure your soil is well-drained
Ensure your plants get full to partial shade
Keep the soil moist by watering regularly
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Mondo Grass is a plant that stays low to the ground and has dark green, grass-like leaves. It’s great for adding some texture and contrast to your moss garden.
About the Plant
Leaves that look like dark green grass
Can grow as tall as 6 inches
Blooms small, blue flowers during the summer
How to Care for the Plant
Here’s how to take care of your Mondo Grass:
Ensure the soil drains well
Make sure the plant gets full to partial shade
Keep the soil moist by watering regularly
Miniature Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum humile)
The Miniature Solomon’s Seal is a small plant that thrives in shade. It has arching stems and delicate, white flowers. It makes a lovely addition to any moss garden.
Characteristics
Stems that arch with white blooms
Can grow as tall as 8 inches
Favors areas with shade
Maintenance Advice
For the upkeep of your Miniature Solomon’s Seal:
Choose a location with well-drained soil
Ensure the area gets full to partial shade
Keep the soil moist by watering regularly
Dwarf Azaleas
Dwarf Azaleas bring a pop of color to your moss garden with their bright blooms. They do well in the same conditions and offer a nice contrast to the moss’s green.
About the Plant
Beautiful flowers in a range of colors
Can grow up to 3 feet in height
Enjoys the shade
How to Care for Dwarf Azaleas
Here are some tips to help you care for your Dwarf Azaleas:
Grow in acidic soil that drains well
Ensure full to partial shade
Keep the soil moist by watering regularly
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Japanese Maples are compact, deciduous trees that can serve as a dramatic centerpiece in any moss garden due to their bright leaves. Their seasonal color transformations can add a dynamic visual element to the garden.
Overview
Bright, multicolored leaves
Can grow as tall as 20 feet
Best in shaded or partially shaded locations
How to Take Care of It
Here’s how to look after your Japanese Maple:
Ensure the soil drains well
Make sure the area is partially shaded
Keep the area well-watered, particularly in dry spells
Bamboo
Bamboo can give your moss garden an unusual, exotic look with its tall, elegant stems. It grows quickly and can act as a natural screen or background for your other plants.
Characteristics
Long, elegant stems
Fast-growing
Favors soil that drains well
How to Look After Your Bamboo
In order to take care of your Bamboo:
Ensure the soil is well-drained
Make sure it is either fully or partially shaded
Keep the soil moist by watering it regularly
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, also known as Stonecrop, is a low-maintenance succulent that brings a burst of color to your moss garden. It’s excellent for edging or filling in spaces between other plants.
About the Plant
Low-lying, fleshy leaves
Has small, vibrant flowers
Thrives in soil with good drainage
How to Take Care of It
Here’s how to take care of your Stonecrop:
Choose a location with well-drained soil
Make sure the spot gets full to partial shade
Don’t overwater, Sedum can handle drought
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Planting Advice
After you’ve picked out your moss types and companion plants, you’ll need to get your garden ready and plant your new additions. Use these steps to make sure your moss garden thrives:
|
Step |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Selecting the Perfect Spot |
– Find a shaded or semi-shaded area with steady moisture. |
|
Preparing the Site |
– Remove existing plants, debris, and weeds. |
|
Preparing the Soil |
– Ensure the soil is acidic with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5. |
|
Planting Companion Plants |
Spacing: |
Conclusion
Developing a moss garden is a satisfying and peaceful method to improve your exterior area. By selecting the appropriate moss species and companion plants, and adhering to correct planting and maintenance advice, you can nurture a calm and captivating garden.
Advice
Don’t hesitate to try out various moss types and accompanying plants to find the ideal mix for your garden. With a bit of TLC, your moss garden will flourish and serve as a serene sanctuary for many years.
For more information on ‘Ultimate Japanese Garden Moss Guide‘, check out here.
Common Questions
What conditions are ideal for moss growth?
Mosses love areas that are shaded or semi-shaded and consistently moist. They like acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Try to keep them out of direct sunlight, as it can dry them out and harm them.
What is the watering frequency for a moss garden?
Ensure that you water your moss garden frequently to keep the soil moist at all times. Spray the moss often to maintain humidity. During dry spells, water more to prevent the moss from drying. For more tips on garden care, check out our guide on evergreen plants for dry landscapes.
Does moss grow in direct sunlight?
Typically, mosses are most comfortable in shaded or semi-shaded areas. Although some moss species can withstand a bit of sunlight, the majority do not fare well in full sunlight and may become dehydrated or damaged.
What kind of pests or diseases should I look out for in my moss garden?
Moss gardens are generally pretty easy to take care of and they’re pretty good at resisting pests and diseases. However, keep an eye out for:
Slugs and snails, which can harm moss
Algae growth, which can choke moss
Weeds, which can compete with moss for nutrients
How can I propagate moss?
Moss can be propagated through division or by spreading moss fragments. To propagate by division, simply divide a clump of moss into smaller pieces and transplant them to a new location. To propagate by spreading fragments, blend moss with water and buttermilk to create a slurry, then spread the mixture over the desired area.
Creating a moss garden can be a rewarding experience, especially when you choose the right companion plants. Some of the best moss garden plants include ferns, hostas, and Japanese maples. These plants not only thrive in similar conditions but also complement the delicate texture of moss.
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