May 2011 Newsletter - Part 2 0

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MOSS SHOP

Our online Moss Shop offers an expanded inventory of moss types. We are your best source for live mosses providing types previously unavailable in the moss market. Even our common mosses are exemplary mature colonies that often feature sporophytic stages. Moss trays arrive live and fresh ready to plant. Our rescued mosses from WNC are now living as far away as Oregon and New York City, and closer to home, Atlanta. We are excited to provide mosses to the Arnold Arboretum affiliated with Harvard University! This week at a Missouri high school, Future Farmers of America will be learning about the benefits of mosses as they make their own terrarium. Committed to providing quality products we are pleased with the positive feedback...

~~“I received the box this afternoon. I'm very pleased. The mosses/lichens are beautiful. I'll be ordering few more plants soon.”

~~“Greetings from a garden with moss that seems to be "taking," especially following recent rains. I'm writing to say thank you again for my moss trays and for teaching me a bit about moss even on your busy schedule.”

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May Special - Specialty Cladonia Lichens provided as a courtesy with ALL Moss Tray Orders. Limited time offer until May 31, 2011.

MOSS NURSERY

Having conducted our moss cultivation R&D (through the WNC AgOptions Grant received in 2010), we are moving forward with expanded nursery operations at a new location. We are setting up field production for both shade and sun moss types. For landscapers and green roofers, we are now propagating pre-vegetated mats for green roofs and moss lawns that will facilitate ease of installation. For event and wedding planners, we have moss table runners that stay green and alive; don't make any mess; and can be reused again and again. Soon we will be taking orders for these new product lines. Thanks to Betsy Smith for sharing her land and helping us keep moving forward with this aspect of our growing moss business.

MOSS SALES in CHARLOTTE

For Piedmont residents in the Carolinas, Mountain Moss can be found this summer on most 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays at the Metrolina Farmers Market in Charlotte. Unique gifts, moss-as-art creations and moss trays can be purchased. My brother, Dale Martin, will delight customers with his enthusiasm and knowledge of successful moss gardening in the Charlotte area.

May 2011 Newsletter - Part 1 0

VERVILICIOUSLY BIG IDEA – Mountain Moss – A Winner

[caption id="attachment_2185" align="alignleft" width="223" caption="Mountain Moss receives 2nd place in regional business plan competition"][/caption]

As we strategically plan our business growth, we are proud to announce that Mountain Moss Enterprises received special recognition in a regional business plan competition sponsored by AdvantageWest and VERVE magazine. In a field of 40 aspiring entrepreneurs, we were chosen as the runner-up. The official announcement was made on May 5^th at the Carolina Connect Conference in Asheville, NC. As the 2^nd place winner, we will benefit from the business consultation services of Mountain BizWorks and other regional sponsors. VERVE magazine will run a feature article in the June issue.

Our “Verviliciously BIG Idea” centers around expanding nursery operations so that we can introduce pre-vegetated moss mats for green roofs and moss lawns. We appreciate this vote of confidence in our business potential. This kind of “pat on the back” helps sustain my spirit and determination to grow a viable business. Thanks to friends and family for their continued belief in my dream. Special thanks to Bill Layton, my ever-dedicated business advisor and coordinator of the Senior Resource Network with the Transylvania County Office of Economic Development and Planning.

MOSS in the MEDIA

In April, Carolina Gardener Magazine ran a fantastic article on mosses! Mountain Moss Enterprises and Moss and Stone Gardens in Raleigh were both featured. Entitled, “The World of Moss,” Jack Horan brilliantly captured the essence of moss gardening with his artful writing skills.

In June, look for more moss articles in VERVE Magazine (mentioned earlier) and WNC Magazine.

And... if all goes according to plan, one of our upcoming educational projects (Rainbow Mountain Children's School) will be the topic of a “Never Stop Learning” segment by Tammy Watford on ABC affiliate WLOS-TV. Look for it to air sometime after May 24^th. They will archive the segment if you want to view it later.

Mountain Moss May Newsletter Intro 0

[caption id="attachment_2182" align="alignleft" width="495" caption="Greetings from Mossin' Annie"][/caption]

Furman - Reasons for Mossy Smiles 0

A day in the life of a mosser offers many mossy smiles and such was the case on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 for me. Six months ago, Mountain Moss installed a moss feature at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. It is the First Moss Garden at a major university in the USA. It exemplifies that mosses will indeed grow under extreme conditions if the right mosses are used and a consistent watering routine is followed. The true test of success is the sustainability of the mosses featured... not only to survive but to prosper and thrive.

Skeptics have doubted that mosses can be intentionally introduced and featured in gardens, especially if located in the sun. To further challenge this moss landscaper, intense temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July 2010 seemed imposing during this 350 sq. ft. installation. Around here, people expect mosses in the mountains but they're doubtful that mosses could grow in the Upstate or Piedmont areas of the South. Yet, many of the very same mosses can be found growing in micro-niches of moisture in flatland locations.

As I entered the Furman campus, the drab winter colors were a dramatic contrast to the usual vibrant colors of the meticulously maintained landscape. Only a few purple pansies provided a welcoming winter burst of color. The expansive green lawns of warm weather grasses had transitioned to a dull, drab yellow that lasts from early December until late April. As I exited my truck, I looked across an expanse of brown catching a glimpse of bright green... the moss garden nestled in the dip. My first reason for a mossy smile.

The overall appearance is green but as I approached I could see that mosses are going through their own transitions. To the untrained eye, these differences might not even be noticed. To others unfamiliar with reproductive stages or growth patterns, it might appear as if the mosses are suffering. Although the mosses were dry from lack of recent rainfall and the interruption of my recommended watering regime due to freezing temperatures, each and every bryophyte type is exhibiting positive growth.

Remember mosses don't follow typical seasons and adjacent colonies may be in different reproductive stages during the same time frame illustrated by these Atrichum colonies.

Concerned with the drastictly dead look of the Climacium, I took a closer look and to my delight I found the understory was brilliant green with new growth thickly matted below the towering old growth gametes that are now dull green and brownish. Multiple reasons for a mossy smile.

Dicranum is the brightest green of all the mosses in contrast with a section of Leucobryum mounds so white with leaf fragments that it appears covered in a dusting of snow. This asexual stage will continue for a while as leaf tips break off and spread in the wind to new locations with the potential for creating new plants. Fragmented reasons for a mossy smile.

Getting closer to the mosses, I am delighted to see sporophytes on several types. When I touched the sporophytes on another mound of Leucobryum, to my surprise, a small cloud of spores exploded through my fingertips. I couldn't resist gently brushing the capsules a few more times to marvel at this process. Yet, another reason for a mossy smile.

The Furman University Moss Garden is truly thriving despite:

• Exposed to average daily temperatures in the 90s for the first month
• Rain water rushing through the middle section during intense downpours
• Sub-freezing temperatures
• Removal of two of the three canopy trees with the consequential disaster of sawdust covering the mosses.

My hat is off to Sheree Wright, the gardener at Furman in charge of this project. She religiously followed my recommended watering and maintenance regime. She even took off her shoes, as requested, to walk on the mosses to help them get established during the early phases. She has blown leaves away and hand-picked out annoying small weeds that have appeared. She's carefully replaced small patches that have disturbed by squirrels. She has made sure that the timed watering system continued to function with minimal interruptions to the routine. This type of care and attention is key to ensuring long-term success. Thanks Sheree... for another reason for a mossy smile.

I am aware of moss gardens that have been attempted by others that did not end in success. There could be many reasons for these failures. The assumption that mosses will grow without any supplemental actions, like appropriate watering methodology, has hampered these efforts by general landscapers that don't understand the nuances of mosses in contrived spaces. Expertise regarding required maintenance and the ability to recognize whether changes in appearance imply death, dormancy or a transitioning reproductive states is essential. So, my instruction with Sheree continues as she learns to identify and understand the differences between bryophyte types and their ever-changing looks. For instance, I pointed out that the Thuidium is going through a “yellow” stage but it will rebound back with green. In fact, this Fern moss will probably exhibit expansive, almost invasive growth during winter months. No need to worry... a mossy smile appears again.

As I photographed close-ups of various mosses, a passerby stopped to compliment the moss garden. She has always loved mosses and appreciated the various textures and shades of green. But her comment that she could, “...see that I'm a real moss artist” meant the most to me. Riding back up the mountain, my spirit was soaring with the sure success of Furman's Moss Garden. Definite reasons for lots of BIG MOSSY SMILES!

Welcome 2011 0

As 2011 begins, moss plans in motion. Surely all these baby steps will lead to giant leaps this year. Yesterday started off with email contact from a moss lover in California. It's exciting to connect with folks who have always wanted to use mosses in their landscapes. Memories from childhood or fascination with glimpses of green throughout all seasons seem to prompt this desire to treat mosses as real plants for serious consideration. Moss connections continued throughout the day. A Florida moss lover sent back glowing comments about her new moss calendar and Mood Moss Mini Terrarium necklace. While shipping a 2011 Bryophyte Calendar to another moss lover in Virginia, I ran into a Louisiana hurricane transplant. He commented on seeing a niche of bright green mosses along the high ridges of the Blue Ridge Parkway up at Sam's Knob. When I bumped into the dog catcher, he said guys were wondering when the “Moss Lady” was coming back to the animal shelter. Guess it's time for another rescue of Atrichum and Mnium from behind the kennels again. After trying to peddle a few calendars at the local bookstore, I headed home. To my delight, a professor friend from Roanoke called and we talked over an hour about potential mosses for land reclamation at rock quarries. Collaborative project in the works. Finally, I spent time in my own moss garden. The 10 inches of Christmas snow has melted already and green is once again revealed for winter pleasure. New Entodon seductrix sporophytes have appeared nestled under the fronds of Appalachian Rock Polypody fern.

So many ways to Green America with Mosses! The future is bright... and green! Go Green With Moss in 2011!

PS There's still time to order your own Moss Calendar NOW!