Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Catalog/Mulberry Miniatures

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Herbs A-Z: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

We have assembled a selection of slow growing shrubs, groundcovers and trees (including hardy conifers) suited for G-Scale railroaders, faery gardens, rock gardens, troughs, miniature landscapes in pots or in ground and "Jar-Gems" (for strawberry jars). Many tolerate the harsh conditions between stepping stones & rock garden crevices.

To use this section, ignore the "Herbs A-Z" buttons above this line. Use instead the "1-2-3-4...." buttons at the bottom of this page.

Welcome to Mark's dream section. The smaller the plant is, the more he likes it. "I find these miniatures, so often overlooked and even walked on, absolutely fascinating. Why? Possibly as I mature in my plant tastes, the subtle details of these noble, slow growers are just as exciting as their substantial, bold, splashy counterparts. Certainly it has to do with no matter how many varieties I find, there are, literally, always room for more. And there's the fact that they are just darn cute, like the tiny doll furniture, that make you yearn to be just their size. I suppose I like the contrast with this weird world and my own sacred space, where everything is child-like perfection for my boys and me. No war, no hunger, and no weeds! Creating authentic miniature worlds, transport the artists and lucky participants."

We hope you enjoy these selections as much as we have reveled in collecting them.

Edelweiss

Leontopodium alpinum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2in. x 3
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Butterfly, Miniature/Faery Garden

Mark, having been born in Bavaria, Germany & now growing alpines, is obligated to grow this legendary ethereal, for which many a mountain climber died to bring these into cultivation. Too bad! These are rather short lived perennials, however, they usually self-sow the next generation before they perish. Great wooly white tufts. They appriciate well drained soil with plenty of air, naturally.
$ 4.29

ELFIN HERB

Cuphea hyssopifolia

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bonsai, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Years ago Ben asked Mark, "What da name of dat pretty flower?" He told Ben who responded as any 3 year old would, "Why?" "Because," Mark said,"fairies like to use the flowers as pretty little hats and then elves, who like to play tricks, fly by and snatch the flowers right off the fairies' head and get them to chase the Elfin."

These are very easy plants to grow, thriving in full shade to partial sun. As well suited to mixed containers as bedding plants. After one growing season, you can create an amazing bonsai tree by simply removing the lower leaves. Faerie nice!

Elfin Herb, 5 in. Assorted

Cuphea hyssopifolia `Alba'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to Shade or Full Sun
Height: 12in. x 12
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Baskets, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Topiary

A radiant white version of other Elfin Herbs; Leaves are slightly darker and more narrow, and the entire plant is more compact. Tolerates both sun and shade better than ôPurple.ö Try it in a magical moon garden.

P.S. Surely a faerie folk lengend by now.
$11.99

Elfin Herb,Assorted Colors

Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Baby Pink'

As promised in 2003, here is a delicate ""pink"" version of the popular miniature tropicals that railroaders and faerie gardners admire. Like all of the ""Elfin Herbs"", it can grow as well in full shade or partial sun. However, flower color and quantity is better with at least some direct sun during the day. Great houseplant under some fluorescent lights for year round flowering!
$ 4.29

Elm, Jacqueline Hillier

Ulmus carpinifolius 'Jacqueline Hillier'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2' x 5' tall
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

$11.99

Elm, Mini Frosty

Ulmus parvifolia 'Frosty'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3' x 3'
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

$11.99

Elm, Mini Hokkaido

Ulmus parvifolia 'Hokkaido'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 18in. x 9
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

In 10 years, this elm tree will attain a maximum of 18 inches and be covered in 1/8"" leaves. In only a couple of years, it will already appear as a natural bonsai tree. As a houseplant or in warm climates, it is evergreen, or if grown cold, will be deciduous. Hardy down to 0 degrees F.
$15.99

Ephedra, Joint Fir

Ephedra refeliana

Cold Tolerance: Zone 11 5a 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun Only
Height: 3in. x 6
Soil: Sandy Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Middle Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Medicinal, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Sorry, but there is no buzz, or sinus relief from this dwarfed version. Instead you will enjoy its miniature ""Wild Horestail-like"" pipes, stacked on top of one another, with summertime red berries smothered in btween. Needs great drainage in winter.
$ 4.79

Erigeron-Fleabane, Tiny

Erigeron scopalinus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3/4in. x 12in. wide
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Spring to Early Winter to Late Winter to Middle Fall
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

We suggest you plant this ""Bellium/ Mini Daisy since it is strikingly similar in appearance, yet it blooms in the Fall, during mild Winters and Spring, which if the ""off season"" for ""Bellium."" That combination allows you to enjoy the white daisies nearly year round.
$ 4.79

Erodium, Charm

Erodium chamaedryoides 'Charm'

Cold Tolerance: Zone b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 5in. x 8in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

As this is the largest of our Erodiums and most free blooming, it is easier to see the resemblance to perennial geraniums, its distant cousins. In this catalog where big isn't neccesarily better, there's still room for this in a railroad landscape, larger container or the edge of a perennial border.
$ 4.79

Erodium, Double Rose

Erodium chamaedryoides 'Dark Eyes'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2in. x 4
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Spring to Early Summer to Early Winter
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

I spied it in a winter window-sill container with a rosemary tree and asked, ""Is that a true dwarf true geranium?"" ""Nope,"" Mark replied, ""but it is related"". Loves the same cultural conditions as rosemary (with a different texture), and rarely stops showing off its adorable bright pink, red streaked, fully double flowers. Hardy to only Zone 6 (with snow protection), it is ideal for indoor containers, flowering all winter.
$ 4.79

Euonymus, Japanese Variegated

Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus Variegatus'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3 ft. x 14in. wide
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Bonsai, Borders, Container, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Eventually, this will outgrow a containerized landscape (figure about 1 foot each decade), but until it does, it fills the role as an upright, dwarf tree with roughly 1/2"" variegated leaves. As it matures, put it out in a railroad or other pocket in the garden reserved for specimens you enjoy close by. Even beginners can prune and shape it, so it's a great starter bonsai.
$ 4.79

Euonymus, Mini Creeper

Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2in. groundcover
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary, Walk About

Not only is this superior as a ""Walk-About"" between stepping stones, but it remains strong, often not going dormant, as a miniature ""wintercreeper"" outdoors in Ohio. Always welcome in indoor miniature gardens as well. Its tiny dark green leaves will add shades of scarlet in the fall.
$ 4.29

Euphorbia, Pencil Fire Sticks

Euphorbia tirucalli var. rosea

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun Only
Height: 2 ft x 2ft. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

We started to grow this beautifully colored ""Pencil Cactus"" for our Tropical ""Jar Gem"" collection, but after seeing it used in a California railroad garden in ""GARDEN RAILROAD"" magazine, we doubled the number of plants this year. Yes, they are truly red, orange, and yellow with a touch of pink in the cooler months. VERY HOT!!

Makes a great G-Scale tree for the south.
$ 5.29

FAERIE FERN

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: Groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Walk About

This is a great group of ground-hugging "ferny" looking hardy perennials. Also a source of our botanical frustration - 'Leptinella' or 'Cotula'? After looking and researching, we decided to go with the former and present all of our plants with common names first. We don't change our minds as often as the botanist. All like shade and will tolerate partial sun.

Faerie Fern \ Brass Buttons

Leptinella (Cotula) squalida

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

A miniature looking creeping fern! Slightly felted, green, fern-like leaves creeping just under the soil to form a thick carpet with curious yellow ""Brass Buttons"" blooms. Ferns are a traditional Faerie Garden plant that symbolizes imagination. Superlative groundcover, even a lawn substitute, between stepping stones in loose shady areas.
$ 4.29

Faerie Fern, Mini

Letinella (Cotula) minor

Cold Tolerance: Zone 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 3/4in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

Even smaller leaves and lower growing than other faerie ferns with all the same uses, just tiny! All of the """"Faerie Ferns"" thrive in small containers and miniature landscapes and especially suited to outdoor railroad and faerie gardens. All appreciate extra water during a particularly sunny spell.
$ 4.29

Faerie Fern, Platt's Black

Letinella (Cotula) x 'Platt's Black'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 9b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade
Height: 1 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

Inch long, medium sized leaves are more dainty and finely textured than previous selections. Throw in some sunshine, they are jet black! In a little more shade they grow bicolored green with black tips. Grow over crushed white stone for best effect. Petite yellow buttons form in spring! We received an email that this plant's proper name is 'Platt's Black' after Kaila Platt, not 'Pratt's Black'. Once again we humbly apologize and shake our heads at the nursery industry for spreading bad names like rumors.
$ 4.29

Faerie Fern, Tiny Tim

Letinella (Cotula) gruveri

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

If the leaves were any smaller, we'd throw in a free magnifying glass! It looks just like ""Faerie Fern, Mini"" with bright green, frilly leaves, only smaller. Perfect for railroad gardens and a child's mini landscape adorned with a set of dinosaurs.
$ 4.29

Faerie Gardening? Making one

How do you make a "Faery Garden"?

First, think location. Do you have a child or a visiting child that has a favorite hiding area? Ben and Joshua have a spot on the shady, north side of our barn that had some weedy "Boxelders" and lots of rocks! That's where it went. Anywhere is fine, granted, it's a treasured "secret spot." Secondly, ponder what plants qualify as "Wee Folk" worthy. While the only limits are your imagination, classics include the traditional Cicely Mary Barker plants like "Cowslip Primrose, Double Daisies, Ragged Robin," and many others. We're guided by plants that are fairly small, have delicate blossoms, are usually hardy perennials, ("Elfin Herb's" a sweet exception), tolerate at least a little shade (for those secret places), and have a good flowering span from Spring through Fall. Thirdly, take time for soil preparation. Extra humusy, organic material is always good.

Finally don't forget to embellish. Gather twigs and moss for faery houses and furniture. Look in your couch for marbles. They make terrific gazing balls.

Faery Gardening? What's That?!

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

No matter what historical reference you use to spell human's name for "wee folk," faery, fairy or faerie gardening is a welcome trend for all ages. Perhaps you've read Mark's story about Ben and the "Elfin Herb" years ago and know that we point out faery herbs throughout our entries, because we believe! Like the spirit of Saint Nicholas, faeries are also known as "God's littlest angels," and their spirits live in our gardens. Ask any child.
Faery lore is a wonderful way for the older generation to teach young children about the magic of gardening. Using simple, fun stories to help them remember some rules (even those you make up yourself) are marvelous. One of my favorites is: Faeries stow away their babies in rosemary flowers, so when you pick and eat a flower, remember to first giggle it, so that the faeries can get their babes out of harm's way. (Avoids undesirable protein too.) Another is to "never eat a foxglove flower as this is where faeries nap during the day." Good memory jogger as they are also poisonous. As faeries are the caretakers of flora and perhaps early big tomatoes!, you would do well to invite these shy, hardworking, fun loving folks into your garden. Please, consider planting a secret faery garden with a child and pass on your love of gardening to the next generation.

Fern, Japanese Regal Red Painted

Athyrium niponicum 'Regal Red'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 8-18in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Container, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Most ferns enjoy various degrees of shade and this one's no exception. The light green, feathered foliage and plum blushed stems, veins and undersides wash out and may get crispy whenever it's sited in afternoon sun. Instead plant this improved "Perennial Plant of the Year" in light shade where only morning sun is welcome.
$ 4.79

Fern, Korean Rock

Polystichum tsus-simense

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 8-18in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Call it a miniature ""Boston Fern"" that's as comfortable as a houseplant as it is outdoors in the shade garden, year round, here. Small size and durablity lends itself to terrariums and shade gardnes even in southern Canada.
$ 4.79

Ficus, Creeping Tiny Oak-Lea

Ficus pumila 'Quercifolia Minima'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, Houseplants, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Creeps and attaches like an ivy with pencil eraser sized, oak leaf shaped foliage, but don't be fooled, this is a ""Ficus."" Rather than losing it amid larger garden plants, I suggest you utilize its strengths as a slow moving groundcover at the base of bonsais or as a member of a miniature garden. Unless you don't mind bringing it in, it's suitable for year round railroad gardens ONLY in the warmest of climates.
$ 4.79

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