Shade, mossy habitat benefits gardeners, birds & bees

Depending on individual property sites in our high-county North Idaho surroundings, area residents generally share an acidic soil situation. Hills and mountains, rocky terrain, lakes and waterways and the plethora of trees, shrubs and groundcover all contribute to this.

Small home-owners and gardeners generally don’t have too much of a problem with this, since the installation of ornamental and/or vegetable gardens necessitates digging up and enriching or replacing soil to accept what’s to be planted. Too, raised beds and/or pot-planting can be an option.

Large-scale landscaping is not too much of a problem, especially if native and/or wild trees and shrubs — or their cultivars are used. But “native’ is the keyword here. Many people – especially those from other areas, prefer perennials and annuals from their former locations, most of which prefer alkaline soils. While amendment of soil in a small garden space is doable, when one gets into larger areas, the cost – and effort – can be major. Folks who find themselves in that situation can contact the Bonner County Gardeners’ Association and seek out Gray Henderson – a true soil specialist for advice and information. *

My decades of living with (and loving) moss has, however, made me a true aficionado of its positive aspects. Aside from the fact it is pretty, generally pretty much weed-free, it welcomes some very special garden ornamentals – a few of which include the pictured Digitalis (foxglove), along with: Aconitum (monkshood); Aquilegia (Columbine); Brunnera ; Dicentra (Bleeding heart); Tiarella (foam flower); Huechera (Coral bells); Hosta; Ferns; Hellebore; Lilies of the Valley; Oriental (water-loving) Iris; Pulmonaria (lungwort); Astilbe, and a host of natives such as Dewberry, Bloodroot, Solomon’s seal, Trillium, Turk’s cap lily, Sweet Autumn Clematis, and many more — all growing happily in the rocky, mossy soil. If there are extant mossy rocks and fallen logs, so much the better — they make for gorgeous backdrops as well as spots for tuck-in plantings.

Small or large, a moss garden can be made special. A fabulous Rhododendron or Azalea with a birdbath or lawn chair can make a little niche enchanting. Since moss gardens don’t generally offer the option of strolling or sitting in them — the moss itself is part of the growing beauty — ornaments from gazing balls to urns or statues can be displayed, and a flagstone path can be artfully created to lead to a garden bench or other focal point – a pond, perhaps, if you’re lucky enough to have one.

Now, extolling the beauties of a mossy garden doesn’t mean there are no problems. We all know that

The aforementioned Hosta is a beacon for deer and slugs as well. A couple of years ago I realized how to deter them both without harming the moss: Blood meal. As well as being a good all-around soil nourisher, it not only deters slugs, but deer, rabbits and raccoons – as well as the neighborhood dogs.

In my case, deterring deer is as important as anything. In deep snow season I toss cut-up apples and carrots to them but they don’t seem to realize that my flowers are not dessert. The blood meal seems to work, thank goodness. While nearly everything listed above is spurned by deer, when I decided to intersperse my many Hostas with Coral bells and Bleeding heart to offput the deer, I knew they did not eat coral bells, but didn’t realize that in the case of the bleeding heart I was offering them a treat. It turns out they LOVE it — and it broke mine when I discovered the gorgeous full-blown plant eaten down to the stem two years ago.

All my listed beauties are leaping from the ground now, the bleeding heart included – and I’m going to begin sprinkling the blood meal right away – forewarned is forearmed.

I hope my experiences with a mossy environment have helped somewhat with others struggling to cope with it. Please realize it doesn’t take “coping” – it takes understanding – and appreciation of just how lovely and rewarding it can be. If you ever have questions or remarks please feel free to call me anytime from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 208-265-4688. I’d love to hear from you. Leave a number if I’m not home; I’ll return your call.

*To get more information on soils/amendment, call the experts on the subject. The afore-mentioned BCGA number is 208-265-2070 (message phone); the office is located at 401 Bonner Mall Way, Suite F, Ponderay, ID, 83852. Email inquiries to bcgardeners@gmail,com. You may also drop by the Bonner County Extension office building, located on the right at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4205 N. Boyer Rd. Sandpoint. Phone is 208-263-8511.

Valle Novak writes the Country Chef and Weekend Gardener columns for the Daily Bee. She can be reached at bcdailybee@bonnercountydailybee.com or by phone at 208-265-4688.