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.

Jade, Bonsai Tree 5 in.

Crassula sarcocaulis

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P-Shade
Height: 12x12in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Garden Railroads, Bonsai, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Clearly its common name demonstrates how easy it is to have bonsai look with not much intervention. It grows into a tree on its own. While it'll eventually reach 3 feet or more, you have many years to play around with it before you have to haul out a wine barrel sized container.

Jade, Gollums Trumpet

Crassula X 'Gollum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P-Shade
Height: 12x12in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, , Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Just as odd looking as Lord of the Ring's "Smeagol", imagine a normal Jade Plant but with the leaves rolled up giving the overall appearance of fluted rolls of wrapping paper stashed vertically in a small wastebasket. Geez! I wish we could afford that nice digital camera about now! Use it as a "tree" for a dish garden or an interesting strawberry jar topper.

Jade, Mini Pine Tree

Crassula tetragona

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P-Shade
Height: 3 x 3 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, , Alpine Rockery, Baskets, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Fast growing, pointed cigar-shaped leaves encircle the stem creating a kind of Ponderosa Pine looking Jade Tree.

Jade, Mini Pine Tree 5 in.

Crassula tetragona

Fast growing, pointed cigar-shaped leaves encircle the stem creating a kind of Ponderosa Pine looking Jade Tree.

Jade, Tiger

Crassula picturata

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P-Shade
Height: 2in. x 12
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden

Dime sized, shield shaped, dark green leaves spotted and striped in black, make a perfect background for the red flower buds which open a pale pink and white. Great houseplant in the north and "Jar Gem" during our growing season.

Jade, Tiny Bush

Monanthus subcrassicaulis

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P-Shade
Height: 4in. x 12
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Dark green, also black, 1/4 inch, miniature, "pickle" leaves form small bushes and are a great contrast in color next to "Aeonium Variegated" in your strawberry jar or shrub in a mini landscape.

Jade, Totally Tubular

Crassula tubulifolia

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to Full Sun
Height: 18in. x 18in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems TM, Garden Railroads, Bonsai, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Care for this as you would any other Jade with the advantage of slower growth allowing a few years in a mini landscape indoors. Like all our tender perennials in Ohio, we free these plants to the outdoors each Summer. More tree-like than "Hobbit" and totally tubular -man.

Jade, Totally Tubular 5in.

Crassula tubulifolia

Jade, Variegated

Crassula argentea 'Variegata'

Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 x2 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems TM, Houseplants, Container, Ornamental,

Take a clue from its species: argentea which refers to silver or white. Artistic strokes of creamy white shimmer to almost silvery highlights in the summer sun while the airbrushed pink margins deepen in hue. With such natural beauty and tolerance of our dry winter home, I don't mind scooping it into a container for our pleasure in December after we've enjoyed it outdoors in the warm months.

JAR GEM

Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

Stuffing vigorously rooting strawberries in those multi-orificed jars is like shoving Winnie the Pooh through the rabbit hole. Roots fill the container quickly, and require thrice a day watering. Dust off the jars and bring them back to overflowing life with little care during the growing season by selecting plants appropriate, even lustful, for those challenging conditions. "Jar Gems"TM. are our collection of great looking flowering and foliage plants, many of which are hardy, that will grow and thrive in these tough containers. Remember, that for great looking containers, we recommend that you repeat some of your selections. You can find full descriptions of these plants throughout the catalog, or let us put together a combination for you (just tell us how many "pockets your jar has and where you'll place the jar) at a nice price savings.

Jasmine, World's Smallest

Jasminum parkeri

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to P-Shade
Height: 6in. x 18
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bonsai, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

Popular for bonsai because with minimum care, it can easily be trained and also generously blooms in June with a mass of bright yellow, miniature trumpets. Look out! Tiny, dark green leaves form a wild tangled mass if left unpruned. Hardy to Zone 5, IF protected with a consistent layer of snow.

Jasmine, World's Smallest-2year

Jasminum parkeri

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to P-Shade
Height: 6in. x 18
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Bonsai, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

Kalanchoe, PANDA PLANT

Kalanchoe tomentosa

Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 x2 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems TM, Houseplants, Container, Ornamental,

Panda is an appropriate common name for this plant if you compare appearances. Both are fuzzy, gray, and adorable but the plant is unquestionably easier to care for indoors, where most gardeners need to move it, in the frigid months. More specifically, 3" long leaves, with black dotted edging, radiate from a central stem that can branch with careful pruning. Partner this panda in the sun with a "Wooster's Dwarf Bamboo" nearby in light shade and see if anyone is clever enough to catch the connection.

Kenilworth Ivy, Mini

Cymbalaria muralis 'Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to Full Sun
Height: 3in.x 18
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

All summer, pale pink, miniature snapdragon flowers prance over tiny, ivy-leaved, bright green foliage. Don't be fooled by its delicate appearance- it's a tough, ground-hugging, politely spreading groundcover, but, the more sun it gets, the more water it wants.

Lady's Mantle, Dwarf Red-Stem

Alchemilla erythropoda

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 5in. x 12
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Here a 3" version that grows about the size of "Alpine Lady's Mantle" but has more of the typical leaves, except they are very blue-green and have rhubarb red stems. Confused yet, well suffice to say that this one looks very unique and makes a great addition to an afternoon shady faery garden, trough, or alpine garden.

Lady's Mantle, Dwarf Rock

Alchemilla glauca

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun to P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: 3in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Butterfly, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

Blue foliage (like that of a blue spruce) distinguishes this "Dwarf Lady's Mantle." Compared to the standard form, it mimics the leaf shape and preference away from harsh hot sun, however, it can fit into smaller pockets, secret gardens and containers.

Lady's Mantle, Mini Alpine

Alchemilla farenoensis pumila

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1in. x 6
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Garden Railroads

Absolutely the smallest, shortest, most compact Lady's Mantle ever (or until we find one smaller). The sharply toothed 3/4" leaves with that wonderful silver edge absolutely hug the ground in full sun. Looks like a miniature "Bear's Breach" or rhubarb depending on scale.

Ladys Mantle, Alpine

Alchemilla alpina

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 4in. x 12
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery

This miniature version of the popular traditional herb has a silvery edge that collects morning dew, appearing like tiny jewels. Magical rock and faery garden plant that is comfortable under almost any other plant. After flowering, it continues to look great without the "cat-sat-in-the-middle" look.

Lampranthus, Trailing Tiger Jaws

Lampranthus blandus 'Pink Vygie'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2in. Trailing
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""" TM, Baskets, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Last year we featured South Africa at our annual herb fair. We sought out plants from that country and this is one from West Cape, S.A. Blue-gray "Tiger Jaw" leaves decorate long, pink trailing stems. Large, pale pink-red flowers upscale the traditional Strawberry Jar.

Limomium, Tiny Sea Statice

Limonium dictiocladum

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

Remember those frothy filler flowers paired with a bouquet of roses? You will freak as you witness, from these tiny mounds of spoon shaped leaves, an eruption of 2" tall sprays of miniature "Sea Statice" lavender flowers.

Limonium, Mini Sea Statice

Limonium minatum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Sun
Height: 4-6in.x 6
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Butterfly, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Surely a faery bridesmaid would carry this mini cutflower in a bouquet much like we use German "Statice or Sea Foam".

Linaria, Neon Lights Snaps

Linaria aerugimea 'Neon Lights'

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

Intense heat and humidity may dog other alpines but these miniature snapdragons do not complain. Steady, Summer moisture and well drained soil is all that is needed. Another quality of plants is, like fragrances, they can transport you to other times. For me, as a curious child, playing with snapdragons was a daily, warm weather activity. Guess that's why this one's so special.

Lotus, Mini Double Yellow

Lotus corniculatus 'Plenus'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 16in. mat
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

Since it makes its own nitrogen, this is a super tough, bright green, weed smothering groundcover, not to mention its summer time red flower buds that open to bright yellow.

Mondo Grass, Dwarf

Ophiopogon japonicum 'Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Shade Only to P.Shade-Sun
Height: 2in. x 4
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Dark green, grassy leaves form tight little "humocks" that are often planted under ones favorite bonsai tree. This tough, cooperative little guy with white tinted, lavender flowers in summer is quite popular among railroaders who use it as mini pampas grass. Rare lavender flower spikes that produce the most amazing sapphire colored mini "easter eggs" shaped fruits.

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