How to add Japanese Zen-style moss (koke) in your garden?
Japanese Zen-style moss gardens display unique tranquility. Is it possible to add moss to your garden to have the same serene and meditative effects? I will depend on where you live. In general, mosses do not like hot and dry weather.
The environment mosses like
As a rule of thumb, moss prefers dark, humid areas where no other plants would want to be.
However, there are some species that thrive in relatively sunny/dry areas.
Once you decide where to plant mosses, you may want to furnish the area with landscaping fabric (as weeds are mosses’ enemies). Then add a thin layer of soil that efficiently drain water.
One of the important details you need to know about mosses: they don’t have real roots that can suck up water. They are there only to support the structure, therefore water need to be taken in from the moss parts above the ground. As I assume that they don’t have good capacity to hold water inside their thin bodies, you may want to give them less amount of water at a time but do it more frequently. For example, you can mist them before the Sun goes up (or down) like morning dew. This is a pretty significant difference between moss and grass. As moss does not have a root system to hold water and grow stable underground foundations like grass, it doesn’t seem that it’s a good candidate for lawn. However, I read some articles that said “moss lawns are easy to grow and maintain.” I am not sure about that – unless you live in a humid climate where the Mother nature takes good care of your mosses even when you aren’t looking. If you are beginner, I recommend starting from a small patch.
Which moss species to choose?
杉苔(sugi goke, Polytrichum juniperinum)
杉苔(sugi goke) is the most popular moss used in Japanese gardens. Among the sugi-goke family, 大杉苔 (Osugi goke) is the most frequently used species. They usually prefer part Sun, but some experts say you could grow them in full Sun.
スナ苔 (suna goke, Racomitrium japonicum)
Suna goke can thrive in relatively sunny, dry areas but can also tolerate some humidity. It’s not a flashy kind of moss because it doesn’t grow high and the texture is not very glossy but will be a good species for a beginner.
ハイゴケ (suna goke, Racomitrium japonicum)
Hai goke means crawling moss. As the name suggests, it grows horizontally and tolerates heat and dryness better than other species. This one is also good for a beginner.
Moss garden design ideas
In karesansui (dry Zen rock garden), small mounds (with different sizes) are created as miniature mountains, then covered with moss.
Moss species usually prefer humid, shady areas. If you live in an water-rich area that doesn’t get too hot, you could try full-fledged moss garden even with some waterbody.
Rocks are indispensable part of Japanese gardens. Moss-covered rocks are beautiful accents.
Stone bridges are used frequently in traditional Japanese garden.
Trees can also be covered by moss, although I have no idea how many years it takes for it to happen. Some of the famous Zen moss gardens in Kyoto are several century years old.
Yama goke, or shiraga goke (Leucobryaceae) family is one of the signature mosses in Kyoto Zen moss garden such as Saijo-ji. It has smooth surface and beautiful deep green color. It doesn’t thrive under the Sun, but doesn’t like direct rain either although it needs adequate humidity.
Mosses are also planted next to the fences, approaches, entrances etc. where you have a good amount of shades.
Modern karesansui style designed by Mire Shigemori.
The pictures above are from: