Lichen Moss or Not?

Before we start today's post, I want to share a couple of updates. First, the planter I talked about yesterday is now full of pretties!

The past couple of weeks I have been collecting bargains at Garden Centers. I found gallon sized Creeping Phlox (candy stripe) for $2 each, 3 Hyacinths for .50 each and gallon purple and orange Tulips for $2.00 each with about 6-8 bulbs in each container! I thought bargains.

I also planted the bargain gallon Daffy's at $1.50 each with 6-8 bulbs in them. I picked up 5 different types. Here you see three different ones. I also planted 4 Etain Violet and 2 Starry Night Viola at $1.00 each! The Blue Salvia remains in the back of the planter. I may move the bulbs in time as I have a new planter in mind for them in the future but they needed to be put in the ground because as you can see, they were already blooming!

The second update is the crab apple tree with the squirrel damage I showed you last week. We went with the stove pipe baffle painted a light brown to blend in with nature. We went with two small ones that we put together to form one unit.

One little lone bloom has survived the wrath of the pesky squirrels. Hopefully, the squirrels will no longer be able to damage the trunk or get to the blooms and buds. I am hoping this little tree will thrive in time...

Now, for today's topic: Lichen is a strange thing and very much alive and doing well in my Georgia Garden.

There are about 3600 species of lichen in the US and Canada so no way I could even begin to identify the different types of lichen in my yard. I personally like the one shown in the picture above best. It is a pretty silver colored rubber type texture and with a hairy "grassy type stuff" maybe moss growing on it. Lichen is a source of food for Reindeer, Caribou, Mountain Goats, Wild Turkey and Flying Squirrels especially during the winter months. It has been found in nest of Flying Squirrels as well as 50 different species of birds to include the hummingbird.

Native Americans used Lichen as Fiber and Dyes in their fabrics. Some lichens are poisonous and some are used in medicines. Lichen is also used as a form of awareness of air pollution. Once lichen is no longer in the trees, you have pollution. Our air must be pretty clean as we have tons of lichen on the branches of many trees in our woods. Here is a small limb on the ground which is full of lichen.
I am not sure if this is a type of Lichen or not. I find this yellow jelly type substance on a downed tree limb at times. This limb was from a pine which fell during high winds.
This yellow/orange jelly stuff is really interesting but a bit gross if you touch it without gloves on and not ready for the sticky feeling. It will make one drop the limb real quickly as you think you found a slug! Gross, it is some nasty stuff to the touch. That is why I usually have on gloves while picking up limbs. Walk2Write recently posted a wonderful link on lichen. Check it out and see if you think I have the Chartreuse, fruiticose bark lichen? I think the "grassy type stuff" on the one picture I showed you in the beginning of this post reminds me of moss. Not sure if it is moss or not but we have our share of that also. In our woods near the street, we have an interesting type moss.

Here is a close up of that moss. I just think it is so pretty and it is really soft also. I don't bother this moss at all as I really do enjoy it in its chosen spot.

This white lichen type stuff grows in the middle of the moss. Strange stuff but oh so pretty.

See how it resembles the lichen from above pictures?

Here is a moss I really do enjoy as well. This is the common type moss we find all over our yard. This is by the creek and adds such character to the creek.

It looks so natural and like it belongs there don't you think? I see a limb that needs to be picked up. Sigh, that is an ongoing task for us and our lovely woods.

I even like the mossy area that leads to our patio in the backyard. Just look at those pesky gumballs! Dawn, do you need anymore? As you can see, I have plenty more waiting to be spoken for! I should put the camera down and get the gum balls up! Na, having too much fun snapping pictures...

I like the look of the moss in the backyard as it gives me green during the dreary winter months plus less for me to mow in the summer months.
Now here is my issue with moss. Where we have our patio and grill located, is a natural run-off area for rainfall. I have done a fairly good job of creating patio areas that do not stay soggy with the aide of white Pea gravel and Stepping stones. But the moss is growing around the cracks of the stones.
We usually get rid of the moss when we pressure wash the patio's but the moss does act as a good stabilizer for the stones. The sand used as grout keeps washing away with the rain run-off. The Saint and I have been talking about maybe just leaving this moss as it does seem to like growing here and it is not too bad looking to our eyes. We are not sure if we like the moss look or not. What do you think? I know that Frances , Dave and Cindee will say keep the moss!

It is not a big task ridding the area of the moss but I wonder should I just be happy with it or not. What do you all think? Should I be LICHEN MOSS OR NOT, In the Garden...

Note; I am serious about passing along some Sweet Gum Pods (balls) to anyone wanting them. I have them collected and boxes ready to mail. Any crafters want any? I sent Dawn a big box full and she made a beautiful wreath out of them, check out her link... Speak now forever hold your peace!

Another beautiful day today and we will be playing in the yard again. I will check in here when time allows. I hope you all are having a beautiful weekend as well...