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.

Draba, Bristle-Tipped

Draba aizoides

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 1in. x 3
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Spring to Late Winter to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Appears as a 1/2" wide, green Hen-n-Chicks-like alpine exhibiting bright yellow flowers each spring. Tiny individual chicks form clusters of about 5-inches across. Looks great in between rocks and fills in pockets in a mini landscape.

Draba, Teenie Weenie

Draba rigida bryoides

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

Ironically, this Draba stands out because it is the smallest of our offerings. It appears as a miniature "Hen & Chicks" which are small themselves! Clusters of teenie weenie, lemon yellow flowers make complimentary partners with cool blue sedums as they all enjoy sandy, dry situations.

DWARF CONIFER

Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Rock Garden

A fine selection of differing shapes and sizes, all reasonably priced. All are hardy to at least Zone 5-10. All prefer as much sun as possible, unless otherwise noted, (especially any golden variety) in any type of garden soil. However well drained soil, will always increase their winter hardiness. All mini-landscapes are best achieved by using at least 3 of the same variety. "Forests" are best created by using 7 or 9 of the same variety and mixing in an odd-ball to break it up. Most importantly- HAVE FUN!

DWARF CONIFER- Arborvitae, Tiny Tim

Thuja occidentalis 'Tiny Tim'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 18in. x 18in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

When this is small, it roughly resembles a miniature scaled oak. Expect a lifetime height of maybe 3 feet from this fine textured, tough little variety.

DWARF CONIFER- Arborvitea, Hetz Midget

Thuja occidentalis 'Hetzi Midget'

Cold Tolerance: Zone Zone 3-9
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2 x2 Feet
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Eventually this slow growing green globe will mature to 18"x18." In trough gardens, we like to plant it in clumps of 3 or more to represent a knee high, oak tree forest, with a little pruning.

DWARF CONIFER- Arborvitea, Linesville

Thuja occidentalis 'Linesville'

Cold Tolerance: Zone Zone 3-9
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2 x2 Feet
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Yes, this is a linear "Arborvitae" that begins as juvenile green foliage with blue cast and matures to a fine textured, 2 by 2 foot globe often with a plum wash as the season progresses. We suggest you plant several to imitate a mini-forest.

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Gold Fern

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gold Fern'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to P.Shade
Height: 4' x 4' wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

The finely textured, golden, fern-like foliage appreciates plenty of sun, but prefers to avoid the hot, burning afternoon sun. Very slowly, it develops into a rounded mini-tree specimen appropriate for any miniature application.

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Golden Sprite

Chameocyparis obtusa 'Golden Sprite

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to P.Shade
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Sprite is right! This is a quarter of the size of "Gold Fern Hinoki", perfectly content to live out its life as a golden, bun-shaped conifer. Great foundation plant outside a railroad building.

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Kosteri

Chameocyparis obtusa 'Kosteri'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3' X 4' wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Dwarf form of "Hinoki Cypress" with olive-green foliage that cups downward forming an irregular pyramid with age. Self pruning "Alberta Spruce" shape

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Mariesii

Chameocyparis obtusa 'Mariesii'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Short thin creamy variegated foliage form irregular globe shapes. One of Mark's favorite dwarfs for its unusual foliage. With bottom pruning, it makes a great mini tree.

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Meroke Twin

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Meroke Twin'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3' x 2' wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

You will enjoy watching the foliage mature from bright yellow, to gold and dark green in the center of this cone-shaped mini tree.

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Nana Gracilis

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3' x 3'. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

For the first 5 years, use this ancient variety as a miniature garden, emerald green, glossy, broadly cone-shaped Christmas tree. In its lifetime, growing an inch or two a year, it will graduate to a larger space.

DWARF CONIFER- Hinoki Cypress, Reisii Dwarf

Chameocyparis obtusa 'Reisii Dwarf'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

One of the best dwarf conifers for creating a grove a trees. Upright and narrow growing with its fine texture, it forms "self-bonsai-ing" clumps of bright green foliage.

DWARF CONIFER- Juniper, Dwarf Japanese

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 6in. x 24in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Container, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

Whether you need a trained dark green, coarse needled tree specimen or a tough evergreen to cascade over rocks, this miniature fills many needs. Popular bonsai plant sold for twice is amount. Get it now, get it cheap!

DWARF CONIFER- Juniper, Pencil Point

Juniperus communis 'Pencil Point'

Cold Tolerance: Zone Zone 3-9
Light: Full Sun
Height: 6 x1 Feet
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Eventually, you'll get a 6 foot tall by 1 foot slender, silvery and green column, but you'll need patience. I've seen my share of evergreens squeezed against brick or vinyl siding. With thought and respect for its future growth, you can plant this juniper on either side of the front door or in that sidewalk-n-driveway surrounded "welcome" bed in front of your abode. Also planted in groups as a bonsai or garden railroad mini-forest.

DWARF CONIFER- Sawara Cypress, Baby Blue

Chameocyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue'

Cold Tolerance: Zone Zone 5-9
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 5 x3 Feet
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

This 5 x 3', half-sized "Boulevard Cypress" forms a blue, coned-shaped bonsai or stands in as "Blue Spruce" in mini-forests. As it matures, I enjoy its silvery winter foliage in the door swags we assemble.

DWARF CONIFER- Sawara Cypress, Boulevard

Chameocyparis pisifera 'Cyano-Viridis'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 6' x 4'
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

Larger growing than "Baby Blue," this is a great shade tolerant variety, very useful for creating the background scenery in any railroad garden. As with most "Hinoki Cypress" it will need yearly shaking to remove the dead interior foliage.

DWARF CONIFER- Sawara Cypress, Compact Variega

Chameocyparis pisifera 'Minima Variegata'

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

I love this rounded/ ball growing mini variety, with flecks and splashes of bright gold color to help break up the solid green "mini forests." It also make a great specimen tree in the the backyard in any cityscape.

DWARF CONIFER- Sawara Cypress, Cream Ball

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3' x 3' wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

New for 2009
Not exactly the color of new fallen snow, but it is not hard to imagine a winterscape with this soft, creamy-white tipped, neat, rounded ball from Canada.

DWARF CONIFER- Sawara Cypress, Juniper Leaf

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Juniperioides'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3'x 3' wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

You'll notice golden yellow foliage in early Summer eventually settling into a blue green hue by fall. Although dwarf (slow growing to 3 feet), it is an upright globe, just right for a tidy, well cared for railroad set-up...

DWARF CONIFER- White Cedar, Meth Dwarf

Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Meth Dwarf'

Cold Tolerance: Zone Zone 4-9
Light: Full Sun
Height: 6 x3 Feet
Water: Normal- Wet
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

I raid this plant as it matures to a 6 x 3', Alberta Spruce shaped specimen when we make holiday door swags because of its plum edged, green foliage and most importantly, soft texture. Try this easy bonsai alone or better yet, create another mini-forest candidate when planted with at least 2 other cedars.

DWARF CONIFER- White Cedar, Little Jamie

Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Little Jamie

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 4in. x 18in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden

Create a forest of "tall," narrow, grey-green foliage turning plume-purple colored in winter. Great miniature for tight spaces between railroad buildings or a miniature windbreak.

DWARF CONIFER- White Cedar, Top Point

Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Top Point'

Tired of "Alberta Spruce" christmas trees? This true dwarf form adapts to average, moist soils and offers bright green needled leaves.

Dymondia, Mini Gazania

Dymondia margaretae

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3in. groundcover
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

If you can overwinter it, this is a colorful, coarse textured, groundcover with 4 inch wide rosettes of blue-grey foliage and silvery undersides. Or consider it an annual with 1/2" yellow daisies, most of the summer.

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