Mountain Moss — Uncategorized
ORDER Mossin' Annie's Book -- The Magical World of Moss Gardening 0
I am so proud to announce that my book, The Magical World of Moss Gardening, will be officially released by Timber Press in August 2015. If you’ve been wanting to learn more about successful moss gardening methods and best species to incorporate in your designs, then you’ll find inspiration and guidance.
Since book quantities are limited, please order your autographed books (soft bound version or hard cover) from our Web site NOW! 
Mountain Moss will begin shipping copies in just a few days and Mossin’ Annie will personally autograph your book.
Mosses are a gardener’s dream. These emerald beauties thrive where nothing else grows, and they provide year-round interest in all climates. The variations in color, texture, shape, and even size will amaze you. In this inspiring guide, Annie Martin—Mossin’ Annie to her fans—covers the essentials for creating an extraordinary moss garden. With profiles of the best mosses to grow and expert advice on planting and care, you can create fascinating combinations and establish a verdant oasis to enjoy for years to come.
The impressive photographs provide inspiration as you explore the green grandeur of moss gardens. The significance of unique botanical characteristics and how-to tips will help readers understand how to achieve moss gardening success. Mosses that have proven to be winners are highlighted in the identification section setting the stage for gardeners to follow the right place, right moss guidelines. Techniques for enhancing your landscape with mosses encompass planting, maintaining and troubleshooting. In addition to Mossin’ Annie’s expertise, insights from other moss gardeners across the country are included in feature profiles. Chapters include:
Introduction – Moss Magic
Green Grandeur – A Tour of Moss Gardens
Bryophyte Basics – Botany and Natural History of Mosses
Mosses for Gardeners – 25 Bryophytes to Know and Grow
From Concept to Garden Plan – Designing with Mosses
Planting and Propagation – Establishing Your Moss Garden
Your Thriving Moss Garden – Maintenance and Troubleshooting
While content covers a wide range of topics, you’ll find the tone to be informative yet imprinted with the passion of a dedicated mosser. The connection of my spirit to the world around us is woven throughout my book. The significance of responsible land stewardship and environmental benefits of mosses are stressed. Although scientific terminology is used, I’ve used my own voice and recounted stories that impart how moss gardening is magical for me. 
I’ll share the opening paragraph:
“Every time I walk out my front door, my mosses greet me, triggering a smile in my heart. The magic of my garden engulfs my spirit, ant that internal smile instantaneously moves to my face. As I gaze at the dazzling mosaic of mosses in my garden, I feel immense joy and pride juxtaposed with calm. Throughout all the seasons, my mosses have a magnetic quality that engulfs me. Most often, I am catching a quick glimpse for an infusion of moss magic as I head into the world in my work as a moss landscape designer and moss farmer. What a divine way to start the day!”
For all my friends and moss-some supporters -- Share in my joy when I first held my book. Here's the YouTube video on Mossin' Annie's YouTube channel -- The Unboxing and Unveiling of The Magical World of Moss Gardening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxMPAybyUwM&feature=youtu.be
Here’s the behind-the-scenes book scoop... If you order an autographed book through Mountain Moss’ Web site, then you will be showing your direct support for all the years that I’ve spent gaining this knowledge and time spent writing this book to share what I’ve learned with other gardeners. Otherwise, I’ll receive a very small royalty -- approximately $1 – if you buy elsewhere. It’s your decision to support Mossin’ Annie, your local bookstore or Amazon. Needless to say, I’ll greatly appreciate you buying from me. Buy one for yourself. Share with friends and family, too. You’ll be delighted to see that smile appear on the face of your loved one when they open up The Magical World of Moss Gardening as a treasured birthday gift or holiday present.
NOTE: All book pre-orders need to be received no later than August 10th at 10 am so that you can be guaranteed an autographed copy in the very first shipment. Your book will be shipped around August 19th.
Timber to publish new moss gardening book 0
Mountain Moss is pleased and proud to announce that Timber Press, the world's largest publisher of gardening books, will be publishing my moss gardening book.
Needless to say, I am quite honored and excited to partner with this respected publisher. To share my passion and expertise with others has been a personal and professional goal. My book will answer key questions about “how-to” become a successful moss gardener. This 250 pp book will be loaded with pertinent info and enhanced by at least 200 impressive photographs. I hope my casual writing style will appeal to a wide audience (but I'll still be using some scientific terms for accuracy and clarification). Of course, lots of work lies ahead. Writing and print production will take well over a year. The editor has told me that the title will change several times before printing. So, expect my moss gardening book (by whatever title) to reach your local bookstore in 2015.
For those of you who know me personally, you'll realize this is a giant leap in my moss journey. I've paid my dues by researching topics and systematically conducting field experiments related to effective cultivation methods with various bryophytes, substrates, maintenance requirements and recommended watering regimes. I'm ready to share techniques so others can experience the joys of moss gardening. It's been a long trek but all my mossin' activities feed my spirit. Thanks to all my friends and supporters who have encouraged me to follow my mossy dreams!
Go Green With Mosses!
Mossin' Annie
PS Keep following our blog. We'll be reaching out to other gardeners to share their own moss gardening experiences and publication-quality photographs for possible inclusion in my book.
Open House - August 31, 2013 0
To celebrate our book deal with Timber Press, we are inviting the public to visit our demonstration moss garden in the morning from 9 am to 12 noon (located at my home in Pisgah Forest, NC) and our Mossery where we cultivate mosses for sale in the afternoon from 2 pm until 5 pm (near Penrose, NC). So, come to Mountain Moss' garden in the morning for inspiration and then visit our Mossery in the afternoon to shop for mosses so you can make your own moss magic happen. During the break, out-of-town visitors are encouraged to enjoy lunch at one of Brevard's great restaurants.
Started over 15 years ago, Mossin' Annie's Moss Garden, boasts between 40-50 species of bryophytes including mosses, liverworts and even a hornwort. By eliminating the grass lawn and replacing the entire yard with mosses, it exemplifies the beauty you can achieve when intentionally featuring mosses. It's obvious that mosses are my preferred horticultural choice. You'll enjoy the various textures and shades of green (and yellow) illustrating transitions due to reproduction and different sun exposures.
At our Mossery, we have over 3000 sq ft in production including moss trays (1.25 sq ft each) and pre-vegetated moss mats starting at 6x6 ft (36 sq ft) and larger. Shade and sun mosses will be available for sale. Check out our huge Polytrichum colonies -- sun tolerant and a preferred choice for erosion control issues. During this Open House, we'll offer a 10% discount off all moss trays, moss mats and moss art logs. Cash or check only. No credit card option will be available at Mossery.
IMPORTANT: This is a rare occasion since normally our production Mossery and demo moss garden are not open to the public unless special arrangements are made for a private appointment. Parking will be limited in both locations. Better bring mosquito repellent for touring the Mossery. Also, wear flat shoes to walk around at your own risk. Please be careful of irrigation hoses and other hazards.
FYI NOTE: Moss Garden open in MORNING only. Mossery open in AFTERNOON only. Enjoy the small-town charm of Brevard during your lunch break. Please support our local restaurants and shops.
Use Google Maps to obtain specific directions to locations:
Mossin' Annie's Demo Moss Garden, 40 Holly Ridge Road, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Mountain Moss' Mossery (moss nursery), 1740 Talley Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739 (or maybe Penrose, NC 28766)
(Actually located near Penrose Quarry between Brevard and Hendersonville)
If you want to come, RSVPs would be appreciated for planning purposes to my email: mossinannie@gmail.com. If you really need to contact me, my number is 828-577-1321. Please limit calls to directions. We cannot answer all general information questions in advance.
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Fall 2013 Short Courses 0
Want to learn more about mosses from an expert? Wishing that you could identify mosses growing in your own yard or when you're hiking in the forest? Wondering which mosses can be featured in your garden? Mountain Moss is offering two classes in Fall 2013 through Brevard College's community education program – Creekside. Mossin' in the Woods will be held Sept 19 & 20. Moss Gardening class is scheduled for October 10 & 11. These classes will be open to the public. If you want to attend, please register through Brevard College located in Brevard, NC:
email: creekside@brevard.edu
Web site: www.brevard.edu/creekside
September 19 & 20, 2013, Thursday & Friday, 1-4 pm
Mossin' in the Woods
Botanists and moss lovers will marvel at mosses as the class takes a hike in the woods to learn about
WNCs oldest plants – bryophytes. Over 450 million years old, this region boasts over 450 types of
bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts). The first session meets at Brevard College for classroom
preparation with PowerPoint lecture and impressive photographs accompanied with moss specimens
to examine up close. Second session will be held in the field at Holmes Educational State Forest. As you stroll along with Mossin' Annie, common mosses that can be recognized with the naked eye will be highlighted. Pleurocarpus and acrocarpus types of mosses will be identified with emphasis on the differences of mosses when wet vs. dry as well as distinctions during reproductive stages. Participants will begin their own herbarium collection of moss specimens. A close-up lens or loupe is suggested.
Course registration fee for Brevard College: $65.
Supplies Fee to be paid to instructor during first session: $35.
October 10 & 11, 2013, Thursday & Friday, 1-4 pm
Magical, Marvelous Mosses: Green Solutions for Today's Gardeners
Explore the fascinating world of our native mosses and discover how these eco-friendly plants make
great horticultural choices for today's gardeners. Transylvania's moss expert, Annie Martin aka Mossin'
Annie, will share key information on how to assess your microclimate and to choose the right mosses
for the right place. First session conducted in classroom with PowerPoint program featuring moss
gardens and an introduction to moss gardening methods. Second session will be an on-site visit to
Mountain Moss' demonstration garden featuring 50 different species of bryophytes where you'll learn
how to create moss focal features and moss lawns. Each participant will have an opportunity to create
their own moss dish garden to keep. Containers, selection of live mosses, decorative rocks, lichens and
native plants provided to Creekside students.
Course registration fee for Brevard College: $65.
Supplies Fee to be paid to instructor during first session: $35.
To register for these Fall 2013 Creekside classes through Brevard College: www.brevard.edu/creekside
NOTE: Most of our educational programs are scheduled well in advance by garden clubs, Master Gardeners and environmental groups. Occasionally, Go Green With Moss lectures, workshops and hikes are held at botanical gardens or other public venues. To schedule a program for your group, please contact me directly: mossinannie@gmail.com. Schedule your upcoming events soon since lecture fees will most likely increase after my moss gardening book is published in 2015.
All blog content and photographs are the intellectual property of Mountain Moss.
Permission to use any portion must be obtained in writing from Annie Martin. Copyright 2013.
Learning Moss Garden 0
If you want to learn more about mosses in landscapes and gardens, we now have a learning moss garden located in the Botanic Garden at the Highlands Biological Station in Highlands, NC – a research facility affiliated with Western Carolina University and the University of North Carolina system. The Leila Barnes Cheatham Learning Moss Garden exemplifies mosses used creatively in a natural setting. This moss retreat is one of the few places in America where the bryophytes (mosses) are actually identified with labels. This venue sets the stage for educational programs about the beauty and environmental benefits of mosses in landscapes. Installed in Winter 2013 during freezing temperatures and snowfall, this garden honors the memory of an avid native plant enthusiast – Leila Barnes Cheatham – and perpetuates her love of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A native of Griffin, Georgia, Leila III spent many summers at her mountain house near the Biological Station. She took her kids hiking along the HBS trails and taught them to appreciate all types of indigenous plants. In fact, nearby Leila's Rock is one of the only privately-owned rock cliffs that hasn't been commercially developed. It is a place where hikers stop to rest and picnic while enjoying spectacular views during treks along the Bartram Trail.
Despite the harsh weather conditions during installation, the creation of this unique moss garden has been my pleasure. I'm honored to be part of this project that memorializes my best friend's mother. Leila Cheatham Von Stein and I have mossed together for years. We have spent many hours in search of mosses on her Rich Mountain property delighting in our discoveries. To create an educational moss garden in a public venue is a goal we both have shared for years. Thanks to Leila IV for providing funds to realize the first phase.
Climacium, Atrichum, Thuidium, Hypnum, Entodon, and Leucobryum are among the many moss types you'll find in Leila's Learning Moss Garden. The 200 sq ft garden continues to thrive and we'd like to expand its footprint. If you are a moss lover and you would like to contribute to this expansion, please donate now: http://highlandsbiological.org/joingive/
***Make sure to note that HBS donation is intended for Leila Barnes Cheatham Learning Moss Garden.
All blog content and photographs are the intellectual property of Mountain Moss.
Permission to use any portion must be obtained in writing from Annie Martin. Copyright 2013.
