Actually, so long as they're not smothering young seedlings, many mosses are very good, and totally natural ground-cover companion plants. They prevent most perennial weeds from taking hold, insulate the soil and the roots of the Hostas and prevent water loss from evaporation plus, as you say, when growing well, they can look beautiful - an emerald carpet.

The Hosta shoots will easily be able push through the moss in Spring, as would any other woodland perennials and the mosses will take far less nutrition from the soil than would most other ground-cover plants that you might use to under-plant the Hostas.

We encourage mosses to grow in the garden wherever possible, and the weeding in those areas is hugely reduced, as is the need for watering.....ut then we greatly prefer moss to grass too....

Of course the mosses will themselves use water, so it's important (particularly in a pot) to keep an eye on moisture levels.

Although mosses have a bad name in this country they are revered in Japanese and many other Asian gardens....there's also a fascinating little book on Moss Gardening by George Schenk :-)

has it been in the same pot for a long while? just wondered if the soil is compacted, possible idea would be to scrape it off for now and then ' top dress' with some fresh compost but if its old maybe repot early next spring into some fresh compost

posted at the same time Ilex and what you say is good sense but I was concerned that the hosta could suffer if its used up the nutrients and the roots are struggling

Whilst agreeing with Ilex to some extent, moss and lichen on the surface of plant pots usually indicates that the plant concerned has been undisturbed in its pot for too long - check the rootball to make sure its not compacted. Feed the hostas in Spring with a general purpose feed such as Growmore granules, stirred into the top of the compost.

I guess it depends whether you think of them as friends or foe, but mosses are the most natural companion plants in the wild and the dense carpeting species are far more attractive than bare soil in a very big pot too! Just remember to keep an eye on water and feed levels and you'll have a harmonious planting combination...

Yes thank you very much all of you ... I thought it was a case of is moss friend or foe?!

I fear the pot has become a bit 'pot bound' Bamboo ... as in undisturbed for ages ... it's one of those that just comes up happily every year & I neglect it accordingly.

I agree Ilex ... moss is a lovely natural companion to strong plants such as hostas but I also agree with Pam that the pot needs a bit of top dressing too.

Hopefully they can both live side by side ... I love the look of vibrant, green moss around things ... this particular pot holds water far too well when it rains which is why the hostas thrive in it & the moss has only recently appeared so I don't think there's any danger of it drying out!!

Thank you all so much for your advice ... Goy at it's best. ;o))

I had a pot of Encomis that was covered in moss and not doing all that well. A very old, large bulb ( even that had moss on it). I put in new soil and replaced the old bulb in the pot and the moss too. It has repayed the attention. Soon there were offsets all round the bulb and now 6 flowers. I can't see the moss now as it has grown so dense. I expect it's still there. Moss is very pretty. Even if it dries out it only seems to need a bit of moisture to rejuvenate

Fluff, I recommend you do what Dorjac did, and replace the moss if you like it, but it does sound like your poor plant needs repotting.

Ok thank you both ... when do I re - pot then Bamboo? There are several hostas in there & all still with leaves ... do I do it now?

Best done in Spring, unless they're desperate.

Ok Bamboo ... can you remind me come Spring please? Lol!!! ;o))

May the Moss remind you... and the force be with you, lol!

Thanks Yoda ... 'do or do not ... there is no try'. Lol!!