Sagina 'Aurea' | Scotch Moss

Sagina subulata 'Aurea': Golden Moss with a Soft Glow

Lush and low-growing, Sagina 'Aurea'—commonly called Scotch or Irish Moss—forms a dense, chartreuse-green carpet that brings brilliant colour and fine texture to rock gardens, pathways, or container edges. Its moss-like foliage is soft underfoot and maintains its golden hue throughout the growing season, especially in cooler climates or part shade. Tiny star-shaped white flowers bloom in late spring, dotting the golden mat with charming detail. Whether nestled between stones or softening sunny borders, this radiant ground-hugger adds light and texture in miniature scale.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 2–5 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm, slowly spreading in favourable conditions
• Flower Colour: White
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Bright chartreuse, moss-like and needle-fine
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; prefers consistent moisture and cooler conditions

Uses and Benefits: 'Aurea' is ideal for brightening the front of borders, filling crevices in stonework, or softening the edges of containers and raised beds. Its compact habit and eye-catching colour provide a striking contrast to darker foliage and flowers. Often used in alpine and fairy gardens, it also makes an attractive alternative to traditional lawn in small, lightly trafficked areas.

Companion Plants: Pair Sagina 'Aurea' with Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' for a cascade of vivid blue spring flowers that spill over the golden moss. Add Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch' for fragrant, hot pink blooms and blue-grey foliage that punctuate the mat with bold texture. Finish with Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' to echo the form in a cool, silvery blue—bringing contrast and colour harmony to this low-profile palette.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to part shade in consistently moist, well-drained soil. Avoid letting soil dry out completely, especially in hot weather. Shear lightly after flowering to maintain a compact form. In high heat or drought, provide some afternoon shade or supplemental water to prevent browning.

History: Native to cool alpine and coastal regions of Europe, Sagina subulata has been adapted in ornamental horticulture for its moss-like texture and ease of use in rock and miniature gardens. 'Aurea' is a golden-leaved form, treasured for its colour and versatility in small-scale plantings.

Final Thoughts: Radiant and refined, Sagina 'Aurea' offers a golden touch at ground level—perfect for softening hard edges, filling tight spaces, and illuminating the garden’s smallest corners with lush, mossy charm.