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

All of the following plants are suited for G-Scale railroaders, faery gardens, rock gardens, troughs, miniature landscapes, Jar-Gems (for strawberry jars),and between stepping stones.

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 we like it. I find these miniatures, so often over looked 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. Possibly it is, that no matter how many varieties I find, there are, literally, always room for more. How about, they are just darn cute, like the tiny doll furniture, that make you yearn to be just their size. Perhaps it's 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.

- Whether spelled fairy, fairie or faery, surely they are tickled with the following plants, suited for small containers, troughs, outdoor railroaders and miniature landscapes. Many tolerate the harsh conditions between stepping stones & rock garden crevices. We won't belabor you with repetitive uses. We have attempted to assemble a selection of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers for all parts of the continental 48 states. Hardy conifer trees are now available for all
  - We hope you enjoy these selections as much as we have reveled in collecting them.

A Child's Garden

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11

...is close to my heart. I like to keep life as simple as possible with low maintenance, durable & safe herbs. Show your children natureÆs diversity, fragrance & brilliant hues. Keep it child-sized with secret spaces & small openings. Create natural f

A Faerie 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No matter what historical reference you use to spell human's name for "wee folk," faery gardening is a welcome trend for all ages.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 tickle 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 tomatos!, 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.

A Faery Garden? How to make one.

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 "Box Elders" 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.

A G-Scale Railroad Garden

Garden Railroads are America's hottest new hobby. Larger than the traditional indoor Christmas train, these weather-proof models run in snow, sleet & rain throughout gardens that are landscaped with miniature plants appropriate for this scale. Small buildings and roads are added to create some amazingly realistic worlds. Interested? Then you just have to check out "Garden Railways'" magazine. Call 800-533-6644 for a trial subscription. Amazing photos.

O.K. for you railroad gardeners, here is a partial listing of suggested plants and how they can be used for your miniature world. Most are appropiate for a broad range of train scales. Look through our entire miniature section to determine the particular varieties listed, their hardiness and special qualities. Full grown versions of plants normally will NOT work in railroad settings, stone troughs or faery gardens. Don't forget the herbs for your RxR garden. Most of the Thymes, miniBasils, Dwarf Curry, and hey even Parsley, Triple Curled are great

The following charts are our attempts to help chose the correct plants for your cultural conditions. This is extremely difficult as many plants are adaptable enough to fall into several different catagories or are "just-in-between". All of these plants are true miniatures appropriate for troughs, dish gardens and scale railroads. "Summer SUN/ Winter COLD" PLANTS ARE NOT GOOD FOR SOUTHEAST STATES! Ya'all get to grow many plants that the rest us can not. These are for the rest of us. "Summer SUN / Winter WARM" are plants that will grow very well for you, but can also be grown in the North, if they are container grown and overwintered as houseplants. All listed plants do great in California. Yah, but you have earthquakes!

Aeonium, Irish Eyes

Aeonium sedifolium

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 6in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring
Common Uses:Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden

This miniature rosette "Aeonium" of bright green foliage can be a favorite on next year's St. Patrick's Day. Because of its thumb-sized rosettes on 4" woody stem, it makes a no hassle "Jar Gem" as well as a tree in miniature desert landscapes.

Aeonium, Tricolor

Aeonium haworthii 'Variegatum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Container, Houseplants, Ornamental

Add a bold texture and color to your strawberry jar with 3 inch rosettes of glorious green and white striped foliage. In the north, at seasons end, simply cut off some end rosettes (or dig up entire plant) & stick in a sandy mix for carefree houseplants.

Aeonium, Voodoo

Aeonium x 'Voodoo

Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a 10b 11 9a 9b 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 8 x18in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Container, Houseplants, Ornamental

When about 2 dozen, green centered, purple edged, fleshy lobes compete to form a 12 inch rosette, this assertive succulent demands its place as a dramatic focal point in a tropical or African themed mixed container. Be sure to seek out a sophisticated vase to match, so you can enjoy it indoors in the winter as well. It is important not to allow any one branch to grow more than 6-12" as this will result in flowering and eventual death. Jar-Gem ^TM standout!

Alyssum, Alpine Yellow

Alyssum wulfenianum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2in. X 2 ft.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Clusters of warm, golden, Spring flowers sit atop tight little mounds of grey-green, fingernail sized leaves, just as I imagine, the wee folk do.

Alyssum, Dwarf Golden

Alyssum serpyllifolium

"Worth beyond beauty." While the language of flowers may be referring to its annual "Sweet Alyssum" counterpart, this also describes these bright yellow, Spring clusters of flowers atop of "garden pea" green, thyme sized foliage.

Anacyclus- Silver Kisses

Anacyclus pyrethrum var. 'Depressa Compacta'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2in. X 2 ft.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

Peek under the silvery foliage and you'll find a red hue that is repeated in the buds which eventually open to a typical, but much smaller daisy of white petals and yellow centers. Together, the plant won't reach beyond your ankles.

Arenaria, Micro Lawn

Arenaria balearica

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 1/2 inch
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

Rivals only "True Elfin Thyme" for the tightest, lowest, most micro-leaved groundcover we've spyed. Perfect "Walk-About" for those too sunny OR not sunny enough pathways. Because it needs good drainage and frequent water, it is the ideal lawn for mini landscapes and railroad gardens. Thyme-sized, white flowers decorate the foliage like frosting buds on a cake.

Artemisia, Tiny Green

Artemisia viridis 'Tiny Green'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 8
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

Shrink a "Silver Mound" artemesia to a 2" bush, turn it greenish gray and you have this equally soft, fine textured cousin. Sweet fragarance and, for an Artemisia, it seems to handle the summer humidity pretty darn well.

Baby Tears, Golden

Soleirolia soleirollii 'Aurea'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Walk About

Golden Baby Tears is a bright gold version of the popular houseplant. Micro leaves create a magical ground cover for railroad gardeners in the south, year round, and a standard for lawns in mini landscapes in the north, inside in winter & outside each spring.

Bamboo, Wooster's Dwarf

Pleioblastus pygmaea disticha 'Woosters Dwarf'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 4in. groundcover
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Walk About

What!? 4", HARDY bamboo? Impossible, but perfectly true for cold, shady gardens as groundcover or with miniature hostas in troughs. Fills the bill for sorely needed vertical interest with an exotic, Asian touch.

Barbarea, Sunnyola

Barbarea rupicola 'Sunnyola'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 6in. spread
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Edible Flowers, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

How about a cute alpine that you can eat?! Bright Spring flowers have a sweet, mild horseradish flavor, that Mark appreciates and the rabbits steer clear. Small enough for railroad gardens and other sun loving, miniature land or faery scapes.

Begonia, Mini Maple-Leaf

Begonia partita

Light: P.Shade to Shade
Height: 8 x18in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Houseplants

Even the most expensive railroad set-ups often lack great plants. Set yours apart with a mini Maple leaf tree and with white flowers. The scale of leaf to tree is a bit large but it's too unique to pass up. No doubt it's a begonia, so it's easier to care for indoors next winter and it's a bit fleshy, but the main stem soon gets woody in appearance creating a tree for a shady miniature garden. Great Jar-Gem ^TM for the shade.

Begonia, Richardsiana

Begonia richardsiana

Light: P.Shade to Shade
Height: 8 x18in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems TM, Bonsai, Houseplants

Bonsai's popularity waxes and wanes, in part, because, depending on the species you choose, it could be like adopting a child. Why not choose a plant that is naturally exotic in appearance but easier to maintain and shape? Choose this 1' tall tropical with mini "Rex Begonia"-like leaves and you'll soon discover the stems will form huge swollen, caudex bases. Step back, observe, prune a little and you are on your way. By the way, if you're new to bonsai, connect with a local club for a rich resource of knowledge and interesting folks. Another great Jar-Gem ^TM for the shade.

Bellium - Mini Daisy

Bellium bellidoides

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2in.groundcover
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads,

From the Mediterranean, yet this white flowering daisy from the Mediterranean that is perfectly hardy to Zone 5a. 2 inch short rosettes of dark green, long, spoon shaped leaves complement the 4 inch tall stalks of delicate daisies. With time, it will form an expanding, everbloomin' mound.

Blue-Eyed Grass, Devon Skies

Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Devon Skies'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 6in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Fall to Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

New for 2009
Flanked at the base of a mini arbor, these 6"clumps, dressed up with "look-at-me" sky blue flowers, carry you away into a anti- super-sized kingdom, each time you give them a glance. Additionally, the sterile flowers have a very long bloom time - well into August which is when I was first drawn to them.

Blue-Eyed Grass, Dwarf Purple

Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Lucerne'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 8in. x 6in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Fall to Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Container, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

I am not a grass at all, rather a fine leaved, dwarf, iris-like perennial with super long flowering time. There are species of this plant native to almost every continent yet it is relatively unknown in the garden. Very easy to grow and admire.

Blue-Eyed Grass, Dwarf Yellow

Sisyrinchium californicum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 12 to 14in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Spring to Early Summer to Late Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Grows taller than Dwarf Purple and Dwarf White with broader leaves and bright, sunshine-yellow, miniature, iris flowers. Like it's S. striatum cousin, it enjoys moist soils. Non-stop flowers brighten our greenhouse even in December as it blizzards outdoors. Should do even better in southern Florida and California gardens. Combine with Blue Star Creeper and Elfin Herb for blooming wetlands!

Blue-Eyed Grass, Quaint & Queer

Sisyrinchium `Quaint and Queer'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 10in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

We love the name and its stylish maroon red with yellow throated flowers that arrive in late spring or early summer. Combine those with its slim, dark green, grassy foliage and you've got a tasteful pairing of "country meets city" for most of the summer.

Bolax - Astro-Turf

Bolax gummifera 'Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a
Light: Full Sun Only
Height: 1/2in. x 6
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

'Bolax' tiny, slick, dark green rosettes feel almost like, (forgive me,) plastic or "Astro-Turf." Hard-to-kill, (put it in a Wal-Mart parking lot crack and it's happy)armor-like pads virtually follow every contour of the ground creating a cozy bed for sweet, little, yellow flowers in early summer. Not for the humid south.

Boxwood, Curly Locks

Buxus microphylla 'Curly Locks'

Cold Tolerance: Zone ]5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 3' x 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden

Tight upright boxwood variety with new foliage of gently swisting leaves and branches. Rudy bronze color in winter

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