Even when flowering, they are similar, although Arenaria verna bears its flowers in small clusters. This plant looks good as edging, between pavers, and even in pots. Typical of most plants, Scotch moss … But make sure it has good drainage because it doesn't like wet soil. Kay--when you say Irish moss do you mean Sagina subulata? The flowers dot the foliage in May and June. Low-growing rupturewort is known as green carpet in the landscaping business because of its ability to spread and cover. As predicted, invasive plants -- alder, fir, blackberries, scotch broom, red moss, and cattails-- required periodic removal. Too, the tree stumps left on the site as sculptural elements put out new root shoots and finally rotted. Plushweasel I like sagina subulata (Scotch Moss). This is a perfect plant for between pavers, and if you have the patience it makes a nice lawn alternative. Good drainage is necessary for survival. In the spring, it sprouts tiny, star-shaped white flowers. Tiny white flowers in spring. However, creeping thyme remains attractive, with soft gray-green foliage that forms a slow-spreading, tightly matted mound. Depending on the gardener, bugleweed is either viewed as a ground cover or a weed. Mosses, such as Irish and Scotch moss, are natural lawn alternatives in Northwest gardens. They're capable of rooting along their stems wherever they make contact with the ground. We have been pulling irish moss seedlings out of our beds for years. Scotch Moss: USDA Zone: 3-9: Plant number: 1.460.100. Terrestrial invasive plants include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and herbaceous plants. Cheryll Greenwood Kinsley writes that Irish moss is native to Scotland and that the Latin meaning for Sagina Is "fattening," perhaps so named because the sheep did so well in fields where Irish moss grew. Aurea and S.S. Aurea) are called Scotch moss. Tiny translucent white flowers add to its beauty in spring. It is a Sagina and requires free draining, gravely soil with part to full sunlight unlike the conditions real moss thrives under. The dark reddish leaves are edged in green and accented with white clover flowers in the summer. The Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), is an invasive shrub with striking yellow flowers. Light: Full sun. Spreading ground cover-type perennial plants have a trio of uses. Scotch Moss loves clay soil and even needs it! This plant can be evergreen in warm climates, where it also appreciates a bit more shade. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . They don't spread quickly, but they will self-seed. In my experience it will not do well in full sunshine; semi-shade works best, particularly in the heat of summer. When not in bloom, the two look virtually identical. ... Scotch Moss. Sagina subulata 'Aurea' Scotch Moss. Sedums form tight mats that usually don't get taller than 6 inches, and they reach that height only when in bloom. If you find them in places where you didn't plant them or want them, you may describe them as invasive. The plant works in areas with heavy foot traffic. Plus, because rupturewort has a deep tap root, it is extremely drought tolerant. However, give it some afternoon shade during hot summers. May be Invasive. Dense tufts of tiny, slender stems grow together to form a lush carpet of golden green. Terrestrial (land-dwelling) Invasive Plants include non-native plants (members of the kingdom Plantae) that grow in non-aquatic habitats, including agricultural fields, rangelands, forests, urban landscapes, wildlands, and along waterways. Tiny little white flowers begin to appear in late spring. She is a writer for the guidebook "Cape Cod Pride Pages." This plant is a good choice as a lawn substitute and can tolerate moderate foot traffic. The wild pearlwort varieties seem to have a looser creeping habit and some have larger white flowers, but all species appear moss-like. It's super soft to the touch and has little white flowers in summer. Snow-in-summer prefers cooler climates and thrives in zones 3 through 7. Sagina subulata 'Aurea' SKU. But it can bring interesting texture to a rock garden. Excellent for filling in between the cracks of flagstone paving, in the rock garden as a lawn substitute. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. USDA Zone? Scotch moss (Sagina subulata) is not a true moss but a low-growing evergreen perennial that hugs the ground as it grows, eventually spreading into a soft ground cover. Also, make sure you keep the soil consistently moist. The light green is Scotch Moss and the Dark Green is Irish Moss. It is not actually a moss, says an article by Cheryll Greenwood Kinsley of Washington State University, and, indeed, it's not always referred to as one. This plant is suitable for occasional foot traffic and should be pruned after flowering to keep it tidy. In full shade, they will not have a profusion of flowers. Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) grows as far north as Greenland and south to California, showing how adaptable the genus can be. This plant is fairly low-maintenance and drought tolerant, requiring little care from the gardener. Creeping wire vine is tolerant of poor soil and drought once established. But don't overwater, as these plants dislike soggy soil. This moss also features tiny, star-shaped white flowers in the spring. Double bird's foot trefoil​ is the double-flowered form of bird's foot trefoil. And stays a deep green color with fluffy foliage. They turn bronze toward winter and sometimes in extreme heat. Now a local man, simply trying to enjoy his lawn as a community of grasses, wonders whether the Irish Moss turning up in his turf is a plant gone bad. White diamond stonecrop has rich blue foliage that forms a carpet with tight, ground-hugging rosettes. Invasive Plant Species with Images. An herbaceous perennial. Blue star creeper is easy to grow and extremely versatile and rugged. The tiny, round leaves are a nice glossy green. David Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0​. Irish moss looks like a scratchy sponge but feels much softer. The plant spreads rapidly to form a carpet that looks especially nice against gray stone. Irish moss related species: A similar plant, Arenaria verna, is also called Irish moss. Provide it with some afternoon shade in hot climates. Bright golden tufts of slender stems grow together to form a lush carpet of gold moss on the ground. Here are 16 plants that are ideal for paved areas. Irish moss propagates itself more easily than Scotch; it reseeds itself readily. Scotch moss isn't quite so sturdy, but will fill in as well. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial. All but three are native to some part of North America. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Dwarf Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Valfredda'), Mount Atlas Daisy (Anacyclus 'Silver Kisses'), Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis 'Blue Star Creeper'), New Zealand Brass Buttons (​Leptinella squalida), Double Bird's Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus 'Pleniflorus'), Creeping Wire Vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris), Caucasian Stonecrop (Sedum spurium 'John Creech'), White Diamond Stonecrop (Sedum pachyclados 'White Diamond'), Bronze Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens 'Atropurpureum'), Golden Creeping Speedwell (Veronica repens 'Sunshine'), 'Purpurea' Viola (Viola riviniana 'Purpurea'), 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets, 10 Best Flowering Plants That Deer Will Not Eat, 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers. Otherwise, it becomes unattractive until fall. Scotch Moss is native to Western and Eastern Europe, and it thrives in mild, temperate climates. Common Names: Sandwort, Wood Sandwort, Fendler's Sandwort, Also Sandwort: English, Marsh, Blunt-leaved, Large Leaved, Mountain, Ballhead, Bear Valley); Scotch moss; Irish Moss Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pinks and Carnations). If areas of the lawn are receiving less than 3 hours of sunlight per day, trim tree branches to allow more sunlight to reach the lawn. Moss-like carpet of neon-yellow foliage. I know sometimes common names are used for multiple different plants, Sagina is the only one I know called Irish moss but it's hardy to zone 4 so I can't figure out why it wouldn't overwinter for you. Both are dependable little plants that create a lush carpet. Irish and, to a lesser extent, Scotch moss can have invasive tendencies. It does have small, white, star-shaped flowers in the summer, but it's the foliage that really shines here. 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