Irish Moss
Sagina subulata
Irish Moss is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and loam, sandy soil or acid soil, flowering May, Jun.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 5 cm |
| Spread | 30 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Hardiness | USDA 5a-8b, RHS H6 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 5 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 30 cm of room to spread, roughly 3 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 5a to 8b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Irish Moss's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Azaleafor height behind it
- Blue Windflowerto edge in front
- Camelliafor height behind it
- Camellia 'Adolphe Audusson'for height behind it
- Cherry Laurelfor height behind it
- Holly olivefor height behind it