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Our Company

Moss Acres, located in the northeastern fringe of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, is situated on a 54 acre wooded hillside where several species of moss have been growing for millions of years.

From this site we package and ship substantial quantities of moss for gardening enthusiasts, landscape architects, designers and contractors.

Years of Experience

Moss Acres is owned and operated, by Al Benner, son of renowned horticulturist, retired professor and "moss guru", David Benner.

Dave Benner began gardening with moss in lieu of grass at his woodland garden in New Hope, Pennsylvania back in the early 60's. Since then he has converted his entire two woodland acres into a lush, cool green oasis by growing moss with wildflowers and evergreen groundcovers on a terraced hillside with meandering paths. This spectacular garden bursts into color in early May when the wildflowers peak, and remains a vibrant green the balance of the year due to the vast array of mosses and other evergreen groundcovers that are also growing on the hillside. The Benner garden has been featured in over twenty-five books and magazines through the years, and Dave still conducts tours of his woodland moss gardens in early May.

When it comes to knowledge and experience with growing moss in the landscape, the Benner name is well known. Not only do Moss Acres' customers receive a unique selection of the highest quality mosses, but they are also privy to over thirty-five years of expertise on how to best utilize the techniques for growing moss in the landscape.

The Benner garden has also been captured on a video entitled Made in the Shade, and in a booklet entitled Gardening with Moss. Both of these informative pieces, along with a wide range of accessory items that make growing moss even easier, are also available through Moss Acres.

Cultivation Techniques

We are currently growing moss on our 50+ acre site, and periodically harvest directly from our own woods. Moss Acres also coordinates with builders and other contractors throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania to obtain moss that would have otherwise been destroyed at various construction sites.

We also occasionally relocate moss from other sites where permission to selectively collect has been granted. Within two years of lifting a sizeable section of moss from a large boulder, it will typically fill in completely. Moss is truly a tough plant - we have had sections of fern moss that were dried out for months that began growing and spreading within a month of regular watering!

Our Staff

Heidi Masucci
Operations Manager

 

Right: Dave Benner, Chairman --- Left: Al Benner, President

Benner's Moss Garden Tour Spring, 2009

The first two weeks of May bring moss and shade gardening enthusiasts the world over to Dave Benner's hillside moss and wildflower garden near New Hope, in Bucks County, PA.  Dave offers personally guided tours of his one of a kind garden at a cost of $10 per person.  To schedule your tour date, contact Dave directly at bigdavebigsue@hotmail.com.

Thank you, David E. Benner, “The Moss Man” .

Coming Attractions

The Moss Acres staff is hard at work developing several trails traversing the boulder strewn hillsides at the Moss Acres location.  Visitors will be able to see moss in both its natural state and in locations where it has been transplanted.   Plans for a visitor center, complete with Japanese and water gardens are also in the works.  Stay tuned to our website for more details regarding when we will be open to the public...