Irish Moss

Ornamental Features:

Irish Moss's tiny needle-like leaves emerge light green in spring, turning emerald green in colour the rest of the year. It features tiny white star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from mid spring to mid summer. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.

Landscape Attributes:

Irish Moss is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance perennial, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Irish Moss is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Groundcover
• General Garden Use
• Border Edging
• Rock/Alpine Gardens

Plant Characteristics:

Irish Moss will grow to be only 1 inch tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This perennial does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder zones. This plant can be propagated by division.

This species is not originally from North America.