On Moss

As we enter into a new chapter as Moss Studio, previously Barbara Samitier Gardens, it’s only right that we start off by sharing our love of the often overlooked, but truly marvellous miniature and mighty plant; moss. 

Moss holds within its delicate tendrils a world of enchantment and ecological significance. As we take a closer look at this incredible plant, we uncover not only its captivating beauty but also its profound contributions to the environment. Found atop our roofs, along garden walls, covering tree trunks and within pavement crevices, sometimes in the smallest cracks, where nothing else would grow, despite its unassuming stature, these plants possess extraordinary resilience.

“Have you noticed how moss makes everything beautiful? bringing softness and a luminous green to the darkest and most unexpected places, some mosses glow in the dark, all bring an air of mystery and intrigue. It forces you to slow down, touch, look closer, feel.” 

Barbara Samitier, the founder of Moss Studio

Moss is magic

Moss also establishes as if by magic, if the conditions are right. Moss embodies so many things that our Studio is passionate about: sense of place, resilience, the restorative power of nature, a sense of tranquillity and harmony, adaptability and acceptance of change, I could go on!

Unlike most plants, mosses lack roots, stems, or flowers as we conventionally recognise them. Instead, they rely on tiny structures called rhizoids to anchor themselves to various substrates, from rocks to tree bark, and even soil.

Yet, within this simplicity lies an extraordinary complexity. Mosses play a crucial role in regulating ecosystems worldwide, acting as nature’s silent guardians. From temperate forests to arctic tundra, mosses blanket vast expanses of land, creating microhabitats for a myriad of organisms. Their sponge-like structure retains moisture, fostering a lush environment for microscopic life forms and providing a vital water source for larger fauna during dry spells.

But the magic of moss extends far beyond its role as a humble abode for woodland creatures. These verdant carpets are also unsung heroes in the fight against climate change. Through a process called carbon sequestration, mosses absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it within their tissues, helping to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.

Mosses are pioneers of regeneration, their ability to thrive in harsh conditions makes them invaluable in ecological restoration efforts. 

Did you know?

Moss-covered soil has higher levels of key nutrients, faster rates of organic matter decomposition, binds soil particles together avoiding erosion, and fewer cases of soil-borne plant diseases on average than soil without mosses.

“We would never buy/ import moss in any of our landscapes though, we’ll let it come, and come it will, if the conditions are right.”