About Us
Mountain Moss Enterprises and Mossin’ Annie
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, USA, Mountain Moss Enterprises provides innovative landscaping alternatives using mosses. Dedicated to promoting the awareness and appreciation of moss, Mountain Moss is determined:
- To design and create public and private gardens utilizing moss as the key feature in sustainable landscapes.
- To provide quality moss products by rescuing and cultivating appropriate bryophytes for a full range of landscape applications.
- To advocate the advantages of mosses through educational outreach and media exposure.
Mossin’ Annie has been fascinated with moss since childhood. Over the years, she has created many terraria and dish gardens for family and friends. In 2000, she started her own moss garden at her home in Pisgah Forest, NC in the “Land of Waterfalls.” Her obsession with mosses reached new horizons in 2008 when Annie Martin started her own mossin’ business – Mountain Moss Enterprises. Her moss passion has now become her profession. She is personally committed to rescuing mosses from destruction, creating moss gardens, conducting research on moss cultivation, and encouraging others to embrace the joys of mosses! With an intuitive blend of artistic approaches and effective horticultural methods…
Mossin’ Annie makes magic with mosses!
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Annie Martin has enjoyed an interesting career in media production, photography, graphic design and print publication. Her media career path has included positions with the Blue Ridge Parkway, WLOS-TV (ABC affiliate), Emory University and Brevard College. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (B.A., 1976) as an undergraduate and she obtained her masters degree in media production from Appalachian State University (M.A., 1982) in Boone, NC. Recent continuing education has been focused on attaining knowledge about bryophytes, horticultural methods and business entrepreneurship including courses at Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC; workshops at the Highlands Biological Station, Highlands, NC; and numerous seminars sponsored by NC Department of Agriculture and Blue Ridge Innovation Network.
For many years, her avocation has been the study of bryophytes (mosses). She continues to expand her knowledge in the field of bryology with her practical moss gardening experience, field observations and systematic study of mosses. Annie is a member of the American Bryological and Lichenological Society, International Association of Brylogists, American Horticultural Society, NC Nursery and Landscapers Association, NC Native Plant Society and other professional/community organizations including the Transylvania Women’s Business Exchange and the Transylvania Master Gardener Volunteers. Mountain Moss Enterprises is certified by the State of North Carolina as a nursery (License/Certification #6440) and possesses a Collected Plant License for legitimate harvesting of native mosses (License/Certification #5291).
Mountain Moss Enterprises is actively involved in community activities and promoting green approaches to life. Mossin’ Annie supports her community by providing moss-as-art creations for fundraising efforts of regional organizations including the Transylvania Community Arts Council, Brevard Music Center, Transylvania Volunteers in Medicine, American Red Cross, and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. We practice the concept… Pay it forward.
HIGHLIGHTS of Accomplishments
Creation of First Moss Garden at Major Academic Institution in America
Furman University, David E. Shi Center for Sustainability
Greenville, SC, July 2010
Silvermont Moss Circle
Community moss rescue culminating in educational demonstration moss garden
Transylvania County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Brevard, NC, Summer 2010
HandMade: The Western North Carolina Craft, Architecture and Design Expo
“The Green Carpet: Bringing Spirit into the Landscape.”
The North Carolina Arboretum
Asheville, NC, June 2010
Meandering Through Moss: 2010 Kenilworth Moss Garden Tour
at home of John Cram and Matt Chambers.
Co-sponsored by Mountain Moss and NC Native Plant Society
Asheville, NC, May 2010
WNC Agricultural Options Grant
Mountain Moss Nursery: Green Alternatives for WNC Farmers
Pisgah Forest, NC, February 2010
National Botany and Mycology Conference
Session speaker on moss gardening
Recipient of ABLS travel scholarship
Snowbird, Utah, July 2009
Best of Show, NC Mountain State Fair
MGV Flower/Plant Competition
Asheville, NC, Sept 2008
Our garden club is interested in having a speaker on cultivating moss in the garden. I have been trying to find a speaker with not much success. Perhaps you are aware of someone in the Virginia area. Our club is located in Culpeper, VA, about 50 miles north of Charlottesville, just about central in the state.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Marian Batson
Rixeyville, VA
Mnostab2@mailaka.net
540 937 2318
Hey Marian,
Mountain Moss offers educational outreach programs to garden clubs and environmental enthusiasts that can be targeted for a variety of ages and interests. Through lectures, workshops and hikes, we promote the advantages of mosses in landscapes. Topics include: Bryophyte identification and botanical characteristics; environmental implications and solutions; moss gardening methods and more. Each program includes outstanding photography and pertinent information presented with a PowerPoint presentation. An exhibit of bryophyte specimens and moss-as-art creations enhances the hands-on experience and opportunity to take a closer look. In addition, workshops complement the program and give participants the chance to take home their own moss dish garden or live herbarium. As a moss gardening expert, I wish to share the joys and eco-friendly aspects of mosses with others. Costs associated with Go Green With Moss programs include: lecture honorarium; workshop supplies fees; and associated travel expenses.
Mountain Moss is located in western North Carolina but we are willing to travel to other regional locations. Feedback from participants reflect their satisfaction and frequently I’ve been told it was their “best program of the year.” Fun and informative, Go Green With Moss programs have helped start thousands of folks start their moss journey in life.
My daddy was from Romney, WVA and Culpeper echoes in my childhood memories. It would be my pleasure to speak to your garden club. Moss programs can be scheduled in winter months since mosses are thriving when other plants are dormant. Please contact me directly to schedule and confirm your desired date: mossinannie@gmail.com.
We appreciate your interest. Thanks for contacting Mountain Moss.
Go Green With Moss!
Mossin’ Annie
New to the area. Do you know of any garden tours or moss hikes that I can plan ahead for in 2012?
Thank you.
Thank you for your notice on the ASLA LinkedIn. I have indeed been looking for mosses for sites I was designing in the past and was unable to find any available. Will keep your site in mind.
I am visiting in Black Mountain. Is your place nearby and open to visitors? I would like to see the various moss varieties for the uses I have at my home. (256-221-5490)
Hey Dan,
Sorry for the delayed response. I just found your question about my Mossery. You’ve probably left the mountains by now. While my Mossery is not open to the public, occasionally I’ll have an open house or for serious buyers, I’ll make a special appointment. Contact me prior to your next visit and we’ll make a plan: mossinannie@@gmail.com or 828-577-1321. Thanks for considering doing business with Mountain Moss. Mossin’ Annie
Hey Alison,
Please contact Mountain Moss as you plan future designs. Our Mossery has an exclusive selection of mosses that offer a range of textures and shades of green. We can provide advice on the best bryophytes for the project and provide guidelines for a successful design and installation. The earlier we are involved, the better chance to troubleshoot and avoid any issues. Also, planning in advance provides the option of pre-vegetated mats custom-cultivated to suit project needs — providing ease of installation with instant green gratification… no waiting for mosses to grow in. They will arrive with 100% full coverage. As your moss consultant or landscape subcontractor, Mountain Moss can provide valuable expertise by supervising the installation and monitoring the project over time to ensure long-term success. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate in the creation of unique moss landscapes with you. Go Green With Moss! Mossin’ Annie