Earlier this year, I had the special opportunity to meet Nori Burnett and get a personal tour of her moss garden in Richmond, Virginia. Over 30 years ago she began the process of incorporating moss into her garden in place of lawn. She had tried to establish lawns, but in her woodland setting it was a losing battle. Taking an “if you can’t beat’m then join’m attitude” she began researching the types of moss in her garden (no small task) and cultivating its growth to create vast swaths of rolling green.
These photos were taken at the end of winter. She shared printed photos and magazine photos of the garden (yes, the garden is somewhat famous!) throughout the year, and take my word for it, the space is stunning. Nori will be the first one to admit that moss doesn’t make a great “lawn” for dogs and children, but in a more adult-oriented space with lots of shade, it makes sense! The birds and squirrels may peck up some patches, but they’re easy to refill. The look of the moss changes throughout the year and provides a quiet, inviting, soft space to tread upon.
For more on Nori’s fabulous garden, program your TiVO now to record HGTV’s Gardener’s Diary, which will feature Nori and her garden on Thursday, April 3rd at 7am. Click here for more information.
Tags: moss, moss garden, moss lady
[...] February of 2008 I enjoyed a tour of Norie Burnet’s beautiful mossy garden in Virginia. Recently, an anonymous reader found my [...]