The Magical World of Moss Gardening

by Annie Martin

“This is a fascinating books for anyone wanting to truly broaden the range of plants they grow.” — Gardens Illustrated

Moss is an extraordinary plant—it grows without roots, flowers, or stems. Despite being overlooked, in many ways, moss is it provides year-round color, excels in difficult climates, prevents soil erosion, and resists pests and disease. In The Magical World of Moss Gardening , bryophyte expert Annie Martin reveals how moss can be used in stunning, eco-friendly spaces. The beautifully illustrated guide includes basics on designing and planting a moss garden, as an inspiring tour of the most magical public and private moss gardens throughout the country.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature, Reference, Plants, Science, How To

238 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

The magical World of Moss Gardening is a very comprehensive examination of the subject: you'll learn a lot - perhaps more than you might actually need - about creating a moss garden. The focus is on 25 varieties that are easiest to transplant/grow/care and ensuring your mosses thrive once planted/transplanted.

The book breaks down as follows: Introduction (moss magic); Green Grandeur (a tour of moss gardens); Bryophyte Basics (botany and natural history of mosses); Mosses for Gardeners (25 bryophytes to know and grow); From Concept To Garden Plan (designing with mosses); Planting and Propagation (establishing your moss garden); Your Thriving Moss Garden (maintenance and troubleshooting).

Admittedly, although there is a clear love of mosses by the author, the text is extremely dry (ironically) and it is a bit of a sludge through the topics. And those wanting to transplant from the local forest will likely need to stick with mosses that come from garden centers since that is a focus. But just about every subject - from ideal soil types to signs of moss stress/unhappiness - is covered thoroughly and in depth. This is more a moss bible than just a guidebook.

On the first read through of the book, I was quite overwhelmed despite a great love of moss gardens. I plan to tackle it again in Winter, though, so I am prepared in Spring to begin with the designs I've made from the book and create a more robust moss garden. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Daniel Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a beginner moss gardener, this book was exactly what I needed. It was slow and repetitive at times (yup, I need to walk on my moss after watering), but I believe it is still a valuable resource to anyone interested in growing mosses.

[Ietrio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book on an interesting subject. It never crossed my mind that is possible.

[Granny_Nyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une joie à lire. Plaira indubitablement aux personnes qui aiment les mousses et veulent partager leur passion via un livre. Idéal pour se renseigner en tant qu'amateur sur le jardinage moussu. Un bonheur de trouver quelqu'un d'autre qui est zinzin des mousses.

Seuls petits bémols, un peu long sur la fin dû aux répétitions, et a parfois une approche consumériste face au jardinage. Mais les connaissances et l'enthousiasme qu'elle partage valent leur pesant de gros sel.

Maintenant il faut que je me renseigne plus en profondeur sur les espèces de mousses franco-européennes qui se plairaient dans mon jardin ! 🤭

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference with beautiful photos. I took this from the library but will be purchasing it. The book has inspired me to go search out some of the moss gardens that are included.

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice practical guide to moss gardening. Moss rocks!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you wanted to know about growing moss! Shade gardens can be green, verdant and diverse.

[Maasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for gardening-lovers. Now I understand moss is much wiser and nicer way to fill gardens than turfs. Actually I have no special interest on moss but after reading this book I'm watching my steps to look for moss on every paths as I walk outside.
Lots of beautiful green photoes confort my eyes.

[Crystal Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to transform my grass yard into a moss carpet! I can’t wait to get those shady spots converted. I still wish I knew more basics to starting and choosing the right moss for the right place. But starting with local varieties and helping encourage them to grow sounds like a great place to begin!

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moss plus gardening equals squishy heaven.

[Jeff Flotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information and good tips for starting your own moss garden and tending to moss. Great pictures too.

[Jason Hanrahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the fascinating subject matter and the obvious enthusiasm and knowledge of the author I found this a hard going read.

There are discussions of various species before we have been introduced to what they are, what they look like etc so it was difficult to envisage. Having got through the chapters on moss gardens to visit (all USA based), an introduction to 25 species of moss, and the reproductive cycle we get to the crucial bits about planning and planting your own moss garden.

The problem is that having read the book I do t feel like I learned (or maybe absorbed) much.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending a few years trying to build a moss garden and convert a significant section of my yard to moss, I decided to read more about the right way to do it. It's so simple, but there are some excellent and encouraging tips here. I like Martin's attitude; it is reverent but also candid and literally down to earth. Gorgeous photos to keep up my motivation. I'll keep this one out to thumb through again and again.

[Rodney Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book with a great description of mosses, their value as plants to our ecosystems, identification of 25 common moss species and wonderful tips on creating your own moss gardens! I have read this book 5x in the last 2 years and use it as my go to reference for moss gardening. I have purchased 2 additional copies and given them as gifts!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little book and I will probably buy a copy. No one talks about how to grow mosses on purpose and she does. People always want to get rid of them and I don't know why. They're lovely and wonderful.

[Jeanette MacNeille]

Another one I should buy. I got really lucky on three first rate library books during the corona-virus down time. All of them, including this one, are worth owning. I have never read in detail before how to cultivate moss. It is easy! and fun, too.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best gardening books I have ever read!! Moss gardening explained with joy and environmental stewardship. I love Mossin’ Annie and am excited to get to work on my beginning moss garden here in the mountains of NC.

[Mevia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It teaches about moss and how to care for it in your own garden. Highly recommend it when starting your own moss wonderland. I’ve already implemented many of the simple techniques in my own yard.

[Eileen Breseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different way to landscape! Seems to fit well with what wants to grow naturally in the PNW. This author sculpts and documents her work with her crew as they design & purposefully plant gardens for clients. Inspiring, but not without a lot of work (and not maintenance free).

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something different. Was hoping for some mention of Australian moss types but no such luck. Interesting and educational although no idea how much will stick. Skip read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful book--I'm hoping I can use the methods in this to have success in my garden (and maybe move on to a moss lawn!).

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reference and resource book. One of my goals this gardening ear is to establish a miss garde

[Laura Gilfillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book for anyone who is really into moss. I like moss a lot and would like to use some of the ideas here to incorporate moss into my garden.

[Alixe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are nice, but there is very little practice advice

[db · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is all the information one would need to get started with moss gardening.

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, complete edition on a niche topic. This was a little more technical information than I needed for my purposes, but that will be welcomed by this books less amateur audience.

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, practical guide to cultivating mosses at home. I want to do all the things. Gorgeous photos, both close up and wide pans of existing gardens.

[Naturegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent reference for anyone who already has a moss garden or for anyone who is just getting into the world of moss. Techniques and ID were especially helpful!

[William Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all that you'd ever need to know about moss gardening. I am pumped to start my own moss garden.

[Tam G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm rethinking my stars on this one. Annie Martin does refer to herself occasionally in the third person (a pet peeve of mine), but the more I think about it it has all the introductory information someone could want. Why moss is intriguing. Where it works. How to plant it. 25 of the most common moss plants by Latin name (which she encourages). Professional moss gardens, if you want to visit and get some ideas. Color photos at regular intervals. For the thoughtful content, I think I can deal with folksy verbiage.