Pass by Four Seasons Flower and Gift shoppe to check out some of our new creations!
650 King Street East, Oshawa
Littlewood Gardens
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
The best corner for a happy Moss Terrarium
Think about your house and where you think plants will do better, with some sunlight: usually it will be somewhere close to an opening, a glass door or a window, where the plant can receive some direct and indirect sunlight.
Those are the places where you should never have your terrarium.
Moss Terrariums love basements, offices, bookcases and corners without natural light. Just provide them with some lamp light, and you will have a beautiful moss Terrarium for many years.
Friday, 1 August 2014
So happy to see you!
This beautiful glass contains three different types of moss, and a sweet message that your love will never forget!
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Five months later
This Littlewood Terrarium lives in a bookshelf. Never receives any sunlight, at all.
It gets a few hours of lamp light almost every day, and a spray of water every six weeks.
February 2014
July 30th 2014
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Friday, 30 May 2014
Where does moss come from? Is it sustainable?
The moss used in Littlewood Terrariums comes from my own garden and from responsibly collecting some plants in allowed areas. When I started to pay attention to moss, I could see it everywhere! It is amazing how it is present all around us, there is moss in parks, trees, even growing over rocks and walls.
I collected many different species and made terrariums with them. After many experiences, I found out that some species are better suited for life inside glass than others, some give more work because you have to collect dead leaves, and others, as they grow over the dead leaves using them as structure and support, don't give almost any work at all, like my beloved cushion moss.
While learning from trial and error about the plants preferences in a closed environment, I discovered that some combinations as mosses and lichens do not work at all. The presence of lichens will eventually create mold in your terrarium, and will end up by killing the moss.
The more I learned about mosses, collecting and experimenting with different species, I became concerned about the sustainability of working with those amazing little plants. I found out that collecting is fine if you take some individuals of the colony, but not the whole thing. Some moss colonies are huge, so responsible sampling does not cause any harm. Discovering areas where development will happen, and under permission collect some plants is also a good way to preserve them.
Another concern I have is not to work with endangered species. Unfortunately even mosses suffer the consequences of human actions, and there are some species that are fighting to survive. I constantly research about those species in a conscious effort to preserve them.
I also decided not to work anymore with Reindeer moss, because it is considered endangered in many places, even if it is still largely commercialized. The Reindeer moss is actually a lichen, that constitutes one of the important food sources for caribou (reindeer). It grows slowly and an area may take decades to recover after being exploited. So, I chose to take them out of my Dry Terrariums line.
Littlewood Terrariums is deeply committed to preserve our environment, only working with sustainable species.
Below, the mosses at risk listed by Species at Risk Public Registry of Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
More information here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPag/MNR_SAR_SPN_LVD_MSS_EN.html
Image here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/voodoosnakes/5464119226/
More information here:
http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=734
Image here:
http://plantdb.biology.duke.edu:8080/BryoImages/Ptychomitrium_incurvum/Ptychomitrium_incurvum_66752_h.jpg
More information here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/MNR_SAR_PYGMY_PCKT_MSS_EN.html
Image here:
http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bbs/jds/iow/Fattingpark/Fissidensexilis.jpg
I collected many different species and made terrariums with them. After many experiences, I found out that some species are better suited for life inside glass than others, some give more work because you have to collect dead leaves, and others, as they grow over the dead leaves using them as structure and support, don't give almost any work at all, like my beloved cushion moss.
While learning from trial and error about the plants preferences in a closed environment, I discovered that some combinations as mosses and lichens do not work at all. The presence of lichens will eventually create mold in your terrarium, and will end up by killing the moss.
The more I learned about mosses, collecting and experimenting with different species, I became concerned about the sustainability of working with those amazing little plants. I found out that collecting is fine if you take some individuals of the colony, but not the whole thing. Some moss colonies are huge, so responsible sampling does not cause any harm. Discovering areas where development will happen, and under permission collect some plants is also a good way to preserve them.
Another concern I have is not to work with endangered species. Unfortunately even mosses suffer the consequences of human actions, and there are some species that are fighting to survive. I constantly research about those species in a conscious effort to preserve them.
I also decided not to work anymore with Reindeer moss, because it is considered endangered in many places, even if it is still largely commercialized. The Reindeer moss is actually a lichen, that constitutes one of the important food sources for caribou (reindeer). It grows slowly and an area may take decades to recover after being exploited. So, I chose to take them out of my Dry Terrariums line.
Littlewood Terrariums is deeply committed to preserve our environment, only working with sustainable species.
Below, the mosses at risk listed by Species at Risk Public Registry of Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
- Spoon-leaved Moss
More information here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPag/MNR_SAR_SPN_LVD_MSS_EN.html
Image here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/voodoosnakes/5464119226/
- Incurved Grizzled Moss
More information here:
http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=734
Image here:
http://plantdb.biology.duke.edu:8080/BryoImages/Ptychomitrium_incurvum/Ptychomitrium_incurvum_66752_h.jpg
- Pygmy Pocket Moss
More information here:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/MNR_SAR_PYGMY_PCKT_MSS_EN.html
Image here:
http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bbs/jds/iow/Fattingpark/Fissidensexilis.jpg
Monday, 12 May 2014
Fishermen
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Blue Rose fairy
This terrarium is an excellent choice for beginners, the glass is resistant, the moss does not need cleaning and almost no water. Place it under shadow with just a few hours of indirect light. Moss loves artificial light, it will be happy with the illumination provided by a desk lamp.
Height: 13,5 cm/ 7"
Late spring for moss
This was a difficult winter in several parts of North America, and most of us wish never to hear the expression “polar vortex” again. Many areas were affected by ice storms, and it's many consequences, including fallen trees and damages in power lines.
But as this spring slowly starts to reveal the woods again, we can realize the long term effects of the ice storm. As I walk through parks and wooded areas of the region, I see all the broken trees, the mess of fallen branches, and the damage in the forest’s ground.
It seems like a late spring for moss, some of the places where last year large colonies were thriving green and strong now are pale and shy, still hidden under dry leaves.
Nature has it’s cycles, and sometimes destruction and chaos are part of it, only to rebuilt and renew everything. Moss is an old and tough little plant, that survives difficult conditions in almost every corner of the planet. It survived other ice storms in the past, and it will come back lush and green again.
But for the moment, we are still waiting for the green moss and the cherry blossoms, that are also late this year.
But as this spring slowly starts to reveal the woods again, we can realize the long term effects of the ice storm. As I walk through parks and wooded areas of the region, I see all the broken trees, the mess of fallen branches, and the damage in the forest’s ground.
It seems like a late spring for moss, some of the places where last year large colonies were thriving green and strong now are pale and shy, still hidden under dry leaves.
Nature has it’s cycles, and sometimes destruction and chaos are part of it, only to rebuilt and renew everything. Moss is an old and tough little plant, that survives difficult conditions in almost every corner of the planet. It survived other ice storms in the past, and it will come back lush and green again.
But for the moment, we are still waiting for the green moss and the cherry blossoms, that are also late this year.
Saturday, 15 March 2014
The Mermaid and the Diver
The meeting of a Mermaid and a Diver;
a scene that can only happen inside a Littlewood Moss Terrarium.
What would they talk about?
Pacific cows on the hills
Black and white cows,
walking around green hills.
This moss terrarium has a bucolic atmosphere.
A pastoral scene in your decor!
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Celebrating Love!
This beautiful moss terrarium is an original and elegant choice that will bring a whimsical touch anywhere you place it!
Glass: 27 cm height
Monday, 3 March 2014
I Do!
Love just happens, sunshine or snow...
This moss terrarium celebrating marriage is an original gift. The little figurines measure only 21 mm, and can be personalized - hair color, dress color and details.
Glass: 25 cm height
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Because of You!
Glass: 35 cm height.
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Summer Green fields
This terrarium brings a touch of fun and enjoyment anywhere you place it!
Glass: 14 cm height.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
DID YOU KNOW?
Monday, 10 February 2014
Terrariums & Water
Less is always better!
When it comes to water your terrariums,
only spray gently once or twice a month, if necessary.
Mosses absorb water through their leaves system, not from the roots.
If your terrarium gets soaked, the plants will die.
The stone layer should never have water.
In case of too much humidity, try leaving the terrarium without the cover for a few hours.
When it comes to water your terrariums,
only spray gently once or twice a month, if necessary.
Mosses absorb water through their leaves system, not from the roots.
If your terrarium gets soaked, the plants will die.
The stone layer should never have water.
In case of too much humidity, try leaving the terrarium without the cover for a few hours.
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
In the small bottles you find the cutest terrariums!
Glass height: 10cm
Violinist: 21mm
Friday, 31 January 2014
The Fairy in the Hill
MudBug Band
and why not have some music?
The MudBug Band plays tonight!
This terrarium is a great option,
easy to care for and with lots of presence.
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