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.

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.

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.

Fern, Dwarf Lady's

Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 10in. x 10in. wide
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Borders, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade

Faery gardens are not complete without true ferns. Little mounding rosettes of delicately cut, green foliage require the companionship of miniature hostas, primroses, and coral bells.

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.

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.

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.

Ficus, Super Small

Ficus sp.

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 18in. x 18in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade

] You know how easy it is to grow ficus in the house and now you only need a fraction of the space to do that. We're hard pressed to find any other ficus tree smaller than this one- but we'll keep trying. We reserve this tropical tree for the Winter windowsill as a reminder of warmer days while the snow flies and temperatures hover at 20 degrees.

Ficus, Too Little

Ficus X 'Too Little'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade or Full Sun
Height: 18in. x 18
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade

My favorite houseplant's gone small. Layer upon layer of rich green, thumb-sized leaves mimic its standard cousin's tree form. We're hard pressed to name any other plant better suited as THE mini tree for tropical landscapes and faery gardens.

Ficus, Willow -Leaf

Ficus subulata (salicifolia)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade or Full Sun
Height: 6 ft. x 5ft.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade

It's not a willow, however it fits into a tropical landscape, as a small tree. Restraurants wouldn't choose ficus if they were a challenge to grow and even though this grows much slower, it is just as easy to keep alive. We love the bronze tint in the new leaves when it is sited in full sun. For northern train gardens, it is easy to dig up, transplant and bring indoors at the end of the season. Natural bonsai specimen too!

Forsythia, Bronx Dwarf

Forsythia viridissima 'Bronxensis'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 18in. x 18
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads,

Try this dwarf forsythia as an edging or shrub in a faery garden for its' super early bright yellow flowers.

Fuchsia, Lottie Hobby

Fuchsia X 'Lottie Hobbie'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 24in. x 24
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Spring to Early Summer to Early Winter
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Bonsai, Container, Culinary, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Topiary

Absolutely miniature, 1/2" flowers of dazzling pink and rose red emerge between 1/4 to 3/8 inch leaves. Collected from a fuchsia show in the Seattle area (capital of Cappucino, Fushsias and cooler summers), yet it grew great during our summer heat. Since September, Lottie Hobby has not stopped flowering, indoors. Use in railroad gardens on edges of raised beds or in miniature landscapes as the trailing feature. Did you know that fuchsia flowers and the fruit, are not only edible, but they are darn right tasty!

Fuchsia, Variegated Lottie Hobby

Fuchsia 'Variegated Lottie Hobby'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 18in. x 18in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Spring to Early Summer to Early Winter to
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Bonsai, Container, Culinary, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Topiary

There's still a few of you who were able to resist our first dwarf fuchsia but not this brightly variegated form of our very popular 'Lottie Hobby'. We drape it over a 10" tall trellis as a focal point of a dish garden that is brought indoors each fall. Can also be trained upright to form a small tree.

Geranium, Mini Red-Leaf

Geranium sessiliflorum ssp. nov. rubrum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3in. x 8
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Joshua would not describe this as firefighter engine red while Mark calls it a rich, red burgundy foliage. In any case, it's an utterly unique color and texture. Similar to a miniature, red leaved rhubarb plant, shrunk down to 3" tall, with dwarfish, white flowers all summer and fall. A ladybug's patio umbrella.

Gota Kola, New Zealand Mini

Hydrocotyle nova zealandiae

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1in. groundcover
Water: Wet
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Walk About

Tiny dock-foot shaped green leaves taste even better the "Gota Kola" and is perfect as a semi-submerged small water gardens or really wet soils.

Gypsophila, Green Rock

Gypsophila aretioides

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun Only
Height: 1 1/2in. x 3
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads,

Haworthia- Faery Wash Board

Haworthia limifolia

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 6in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems TM, Container, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Even faeries need to wash their clothes once in awhile, (check out the botanical name), and I bet these double as clothes dryers as well. Haworthias, although from the South African deserts, like shade from the hot afternoon sun. Their 4" "Easter Lily-like flower spikes" reveal their place in the Lily family. Only way to dampen their spirits is by watering them too much.

Hebe, Boughton Dome

Hebe cupressoides 'Boughton Dome'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 6in. x 12
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Container, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Southern growers behold this non-finicky, 6" conifer-like shrub that grows where other evergreens have failed. Can be pruned into topiaries for (people sized) doorway entrances of "shrunk" more for crusty old troughs.

Hebe, Tiny Boxwood

Hebe X 'Green Gem' (aka. Mckeanii)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 10in. x 10
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Container, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Thyme-size, glossy green leaves stack on top of one another creating an easily pruned, miniature, boxwood shaped hedge.

Hebe, Topiaria

Hebe topiaria

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 10in. x 10in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Container, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental,

Hebes are the Southern hemisphere's version of the the Northern "boxwood," but even better. Unlike the famous knot garden hedge, this Australian plant does flower, exhibiting white clusters of Summer blooms. Use it as a hedge, knowing you'll be digging it up in the Fall or put it in a "mobile home"- a containerized mini landscape.

Hens And Chicks, Royal Ruby

Sempervirens 'Royal Ruby'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b[
Light: Full Sun
Height: 3in. x 12in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems TM, Alpine Rockery, Borders, Container, Groundcover,

When you find a plant growing in a crack in a parking lot, you know it's hardy. These star-shaped rosettes remain nearly, solid red throughout the growing season and turn a more vivid red by Winter. Built "Hen & Chick" tough!

Hens And Chicks-Assorted

Sempervirens cv.

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 4in. grouncover
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads,

Who hasn't seen Hens & Chicks growing in strawberry jars, rock walls and lunch boxes? I've seen them spilling out of an old boot, hung from an apple tree! This stock is a super hardy mix of colors and shapes. Need I say more about this hard to find, old- fashioned favorite?

Herniaria, Green Carpet

Herniaria glabra

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1/2in. x 6in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

We are talking 1/4" tall groundcover that will probably only increase its perimeter about an inch during the first season. It vaguely passes for a bright green version of "Elfin Thyme" and is just as hardy. A.K.A. "Rupturewort

Herniaria, Sea Foam Variegated

Herniaria glabra 'Sea Foam' PPAF

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1/2in. x 6in. wide
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

Walk-About, Mini Groundcover

Hardy Perennial (Zone 5-7 & S.W.)

New for 2007

It may look like "Thyme, Highland Cream", but it actually thrives in our summer humidity and winter cold. We have been growing this for years, waiting for the patent permission to propagate it. Well worth the patience and good Karma, as this is sure to find its way into every groundcover marketing program in the nation. Remember you saw it here first.

Heuchera, Mini Chiquita

Heuchera X 'Chiquita'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1 x 6in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Can there be a smaller Coral Bells and still be alive? We thank the folks at the breeder program out of Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens, for introducing these tough tiny wonders. Stock comes from 4000-6000 feet and should be quite hardy. Tiny 3/8� leaves form a ground hugging mat no more than 1 inch high by 6 inches across that lie in the shadow of 4� low white with pink flowers throughout the summer.

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