Sagina Iris Moss

Sagina Irish Moss is an evergreen perennial ground cover that resembles moss but is, in fact, a flowering plant. Blanketed in round green buds that burst into tiny white flowers in spring, this charming, highly popular plant forms a dense lush and lovely low-growing mat of creeping stems covered in soft tufts of emerald-green leaves. The stary flowers, borne on slender stalks, continue sporadically throughout the growing season and are followed by brown capsules that contain many seeds.

A Sagina subulata, commonly called Irish moss, heath pearlwort, or awl-leaf pearlwort, this herbaceous plant has a slow to medium growth rate and an indefinitely spreading habit. It also self-seeds in optimal conditions. Although finely textured, the plant tolerates light foot traffic and is especially attractive planted around cobblestones, between pavers, or along garden paths. Irish moss is a natural for planting on banks and slopes and can even be a lawn substitute in small spaces. And it adds beautiful color and texture to mixed containers.

Cold hardy and low maintenance, Irish moss grows best in a sunny to partly shady location with evenly and consistently moist, well-draining soil, but it may benefit from some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. The plant is generally pest and disease free.