Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

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.

Babys Breath, Pink Faery Flower

Gypsophilia repens rosea

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4h x 6w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

Frothy mounds of airy, pale pink flowers cover semi-evergreen, low lying foliage, summer through fall.

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.

BASIL

Chosen 2003 “Herb of the Year.” America’s most popular herb, finally got its due and to celebrate, we continue to add new basils annually. We encourage those of you who are as enthralled with basils as we are, to check out "BASIL: AN HERB LOVER'S GUIDE," by Tom DeBaggio & Susan Belsinger. (Interweave Press. ISBN 1-883010-19-5).

Overall, basils love full sun, normal moisture (preferably applied below leaf canopy- their leaves respond poorly to direct, weekly, showers from above) and warmth. Planting right next to your house, under an overhang is ideal. Trim flowers and harvest foliage regularly for optimum flavor and growth.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, do not plant directly in the ground until the soil warms, which is usually at least 3 weeks after your frost free date. In Ohio that means no earlier than Memorial Day.

Fresh is best, frozen (by pureeing with oil, pouring into a dedicated-to-herbs ice cube tray and popping them into a freezer container after freezing into blocks) is second best. If you must dry basil, do it with warmth (100 degree max.), ventilation (ceiling fan?) and away from direct light to get it crisp dry quickly.

BASIL

Chosen 2003 "Herb of the Year" America's most popular herb, finally got onstage. To celebrate we added new basils to our offerings.

We encourage those of you who are as enthralled with basils as we are, to buy "BASIL, An Herb Lover's

Basil, African Blue

Ocimum X `African Blue'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3 x 2 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Ornamental

Excuse it's leggy nature in pots. Give it room in the garden. It transforms into a mound of dark green leaves with purple veins & flower spikes. Culinary quality of Opal Basil, although stronger, with a hint of sweet camphor. Go easy! Best basil for indoors. Born at Companion Plants, Athens, Ohio.

Basil, African Blue, Variegated

Ocimum X `Variegated African Blue'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3x 2 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Ornamental

Claude Monet might have wept upon seeing its pastel presentation of white, lime, and dark green leaves. Almost as vigorous growth as ""African Blue"" with slighty milder flavor. Breathtaking in the herb garden. Don't assume, you'll feel the same way about it on your plate. We received this marvelous mutation from Scott Kresge (Emily Mae Garden Shop in Pen Argyl, PA). Thank you, Scott!

Basil, Aromatto

Ocimum basilicum

Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 1.5w feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bouquets

Add color and scent to your bouquets with this, the tallest basil. Its 24” purple stems, dark purple flower bracts and bi-color foliage are used to fill in vases rather than your tummy.

Basil, Aussie Sweetie

Ocimum x citriodora 'Aussie Sweetie'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3 - 4 x 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental

""Thanks for the Memories""For those of you who don't read the cultural requirements below, this one gets 3-4 feet tall! Susan describes it as ""One of the most complex basil aromas and the strongest. The first sniff is loaded with cinnamon & has the background of allspice and cloves. Pumpkin Pie spice comes to mind."" And may we add it's just as good in a Cincinnati style spagetti sauce. Identical to Richters' ""Lesbos Basil"".

Basil, Cinnamon

Ocimum basilicum `Cinnamon'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 x 1 ½ Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Culinary, Edible Flowers, Fragrant, Ornamental

Green leaves with red veins and purple stems plus flowers from pink to purple, create such beauty, we'd grow it even if we couldn't flavor fruit, pancakes, and chili with its cinnamon touch.

Basil, Cuban

Ocumum basilicum 'Cuban'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Ornamental

It’s a perfect 1-1/2 foot globe of spicy basil flavor laced with a touch of mint. Mark admits to being disappointed initially with this variety, as it does not like a cool greenhouse, but man did it take off during the summer. We sheared it once in August and by October it still had not flowered. This was definitely the most frost tolerant of any basil we grew last year.

Basil, Lemon

Ocimum citriodora

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 18 x 18 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

We've brought back the traditional, tall, lemon basil. Keep flowers pinched off and use along with the foliage. Naturally pairs with fish, chicken and (infused in water that's added to make) the occasional lemon cupcake or frosting.

Basil, Pepper

Ocimum selloi

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade
Height: 2 1/2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, , Ornamental

Can you imagine this on your next salad? - fresh leaves with the smell & taste of bell peppers and basil! Definitely the sturdiest as well as the most polished of basils. To have the best flavor, grow in filtered sunlight to afternoon shade, to keep leaves tender and delicious. Emerald green shiny leaves form the perfect background for reddish pink flowers that never stop. Quite cold hardy too! For years, Madelene Hill has been promoting this rare beauty. We now join her in proclaiming this a “Must-Have” herb. See Pepper Basil featured in HerbCompanion’s Feb/March 2004 issue.

Basil, Purple

Basil, Rick’s Aussie Purple

Ocimum x citriodora

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3-4 feet x 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Culinary, Ornamental

New in 2006
Wavy, wine colored foliage much like 'Ebony Wonder' meets the tall columnar growth of 'Aussie Sweetie'. This will be Mark's 2006 topiary project, which, if half as pretty as 'Ausie Sweetie' topiaries, will surely grace many church weddings and elegant reception halls!

Basil, Sweet Genovese, EMILY

Ocimum basilicum 'Emily'

Light: Full Sun
Height: 15h x 9w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Containers

Keep the genovese flavor with this compact variety especially suited for a container. You'll get plenty of large leaves that have a long shelf life in pots, or fresh in bags or bunches.

Basil, Sweet Genovese, ENVIGOR

Ocimum basilicum 'Envigor'

Light: Full Sun
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

I do know this is an exceptionally healthy genovese-type basil resistant to three of the most debilitating viral diseases, but, there is no reference to height in the literature, so we'll all find that out this year. We also know we can expect the same luscious, large, intensely flavored leaves.

Basil, Sweet Thai

Ocimum sp. 'Thai'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 x 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bees, , Culinary

Basket, wicker Large

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Bay Leaf 5”

Laurus nobilis

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 5-20 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Spring
Common Uses:Borders, Culinary, Edible Flowers, Hedges/Shrubs, Topiary

'Fess up - How many of you are guilty of dried out, ancient bay leaves? Leaves loose 50% of their flavor in just 6 months. Reward yourself with sweet, fresh leaves. The difference is amazing! Fresh bay adds full flavor to stews, sauerkraut, beef, pork and coupled with red wine, are the secret to terrific spaghetti sauce. Grow directly in the ground for maximum growth. Dig up and repot in the fall for an ideal houseplant.

BAYLEAF- SHOO Moths

Knock on wood. I haven’t seen a “Miller” or any other cupboard pest in my pantry. I place 2 or 3 bay leaves in canisters of flour and grains to repel moths.

BEE BALM - OSWEGO TEA

Common Uses:Tea

Eye catching blooms in June, offer delicious flowers & leaves for a historical tea, coined after this hardy perennial’s common name. Leaves of Monarda didyma were collected, before flowering, then dried and steeped for a Revolutionary Tea during the Boston Tea Party; also named “Oswego Tea.” Tea eases our sore throats and colds. Some taste good, others are "interesting." All Bee Balms grow in full sun to afternoon shade, in normal soil, with extra organic matter to hold a lot of water, and plenty of room for roots (and tops) to spread. All are hardy to from Zone 5 through 8. POWDERY MILDEW CURE: IF, on the chance you spot that whitish haze in July when the dew is thick and slow to dry off, here's all you need do: Recycle a gallon jug and funnel in 2 T. of "Baking Soda" and 2 T. vegetable oil. Fill it up with water. Shake and spray this all over plant. Repeat every week until mildew is destroyed! Shouldn't take more than 2 applications. Good for "Bee Balms, Zinnia, Phlox" and other plants susceptible to this relatively harmless, but unsightly mildew.

Bee Balm, Coral Reef

Monarda didyma 'Coral Reef'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Wet
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Borders, , Butterfly, , Ornamental

Neon, coral pink flowers crescendo on top 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall stems, usually in July. Coming out of Morden Research Station, it's no surprise that it is also mildew resistant as are most new 'Monarda offerings.

Bee Balm, Jacob Cline

Monarda didyma

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal Wet
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Edible Flowers, Medicinal, Ornamental

Improvements in bee balms always include an emphasis on ""Powdery Mildew,""a disease that's relatively harmless or at least controllable, but definitely unsightly. Siting ""Bee Balms"" in part sun but away from a North exposure, where the dew takes hours to dry in the morning, helps. So does choosing this very mildew resistant herb with huge red flowers and vigorous growth.

Bee Balm, Marshall Delight

Monarda didyma

You may wonder with all the fuss over mildew resistance, why even choose a ""Bee Balm."" One look at these rich pink, confetti flowers that just happen to add a sweetness, found in no other herb, and your next Summer fruit salad will seem naked without it. Don't panic that it's also resistant to ""Rust."" I'm telling you, it's well worth a try.

Bee Balm, Pink Petite Delight

Monarda x 'Petite Delight' PP#10784

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Normal,,Wet
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Spring
Common Uses:Borders, , Butterfly, , Culinary, , Ornamental

You could stop at the dwarf (12 to 15 inch height) and be satisfied but this new lavender/pink 'Monarda' boasts mildew resistance as well. Shiny, deep green foliage offsets lavender pink summer explosions. I like to site these in morning sun but they could tolerate full sun in most areas of the U.S.

Bee skip on pick

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Begonia

Begonia, Blue Cuban

Begonia cubensis

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade
Height: 12h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree

Discovered in Cuba in 1858, it has small, waxy grayish green leaves on short, thin woody stems. The best part is the nearly continuous, bright pink flowers held above the foliage. Add to that, it is a mildew resistant, easy to grow compact begonia a.k.a. “Cuban Holly.”

Begonia, Fuchsia Red

Begonia fuchsioides 'Rubra'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade
Height: 16h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Bees, Butterflies

Glossy is what begonias are all about and this red blooming beauty follows suit. Not to be outdone, sumptuous, fuchsia type flowers dangle like heavy ear rings. Imagine that in your home this winter.

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, Red Planet

Begonia 'Red Planet'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade
Height: 5h x 6w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub, Houseplant

Though it is an excellent ornamental for a shady summer garden, it'll be ready to jump into a container and onto a winter windowsill. Dark maroon to chocolate brown splotches zigzag over its smooth, glossy leaves resulting in a unique and adorable specimen.

Begonia, Rhinestone Jeans

Begonia 'Rhinestone Jeans'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade
Height: 4h x 6w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub, Houseplant

Yes! Four inches tall by six inches of cuteness in the form of deep green leaves with purple-black mottling and heavy “eyelash” edges. Begonias do not want to be overwatered. You'll strike that balance between slight moisture and soggy, the latter being what you avoid.

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.

Begonia, Tiny Fuchsia

Begonia foliosa var putzeysiana

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade
Height: 9 x 9 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Bonsai

This world's smallest leaved begonia “dressed in fuchsia's clothing” will eventually grow up, in 5 to 10 years! Glossy green foliage sits well with non-stop, rose colored flowers not unlike a floral ballet.

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.

Ben's Wine Menu

Ben's Wines

Bench, Wire

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Bench, Wooden Faery

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Berberis, World's Smallest Barberry

Berberis stenophylla 'Corallina Compacta'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Sun - P. Sun
Height: 6h x 8w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree

Begins as the world's smallest holly look-alike tree, but it'll slowly reach 3 feet in a decade or two. Glowing coral flowers are followed by black fruit. Miniature landscapes should include thriller, spiller and filler plants. This one's a thriller!

Bird Bath, Rusty

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Bird House on a Stick-Rusty

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Bird House, Hang Rusty 1632-46

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Birdbath

Blue Globe Daisy, Mini Blue

Globularia repens (G. cordifolia Nana)

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

Absolutely pure blue, miniature ""Scabiosa-like"" flowers in late spring top a very slow creeping green mound of leaves are half the size of G. cordifolia. I'd speculate this is a choice selection for a float in faerie parades but we use it as a ground cover between stepping stones. Light traffic only please.

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, Devon Skies

Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Devon Skies'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4h x 6w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

Flanked at the base of a mini arbor, these 4 inch clumps, dressed up with baby blue flowers, carry you away into a anti- super-sized kingdom. Looks like miniature iris. 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.

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.

Borage, White

Borago officinalis 'Alba'

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Culinary, Ornamental

Harvest white flowers when young for an easy cucumber substitute. When are prickly or flowers have been open awhile, foliage is inedible and floral flavor compromised.

Botanicalinterestsseeds

Bouquets By Terrie Picsart

Boxwood, Kingville Mini

Buxus microphylla 'Kingville'

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

Boxwood, Kingville Mini 5in.+

Buxus microphylla 'Kingville'

Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 6 x7in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden, Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Hardy Shrub

Boxwoods can be a challenge to maintain, but the smaller versions, like this 12""x12"" is not only the tiniest boxwood available, but more apt to overwinter without chunks of the plant succumbing to drying winds. It willingly accepts pruning into a ball or other shape, so it's naturally an ideal bonsai, hedge or mini RxR tree. Even amid flowering miniature perennials, it stands out as a trough specimen.

Broom, 3-inch Mini

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Bucket, Rusty -6552-75

Cold Tolerance: Zone 1 11
Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Burnet, Mini Copper

Acaena microphylla

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun – P.Shade
Height: 2 inch groundcover
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:RxR, Groundcover, Faery Garden

Some might know this easy going alpine as “New Zealand Burr for its greenish summer flowers that mature into copper red burrs. Put them in between flagstones, by lawn's edge or in a container . You need a firm hand as it can go into unintended places but if you have bambi infestations, consider this as a lawn substitute as it's not on their list of favorites.

Burnet, Mini Purple

Acaena inermis "Purpure'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2 inch groundcover
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:RxR, Groundcover, Faery Garden

We cherish the contrast this hot and sunny groundcover offers with smoky, purple, fern-like leaves tipped in red. Looks antique! It prefers a loose, well draining soil to provide a porous playground for underground runners. Mulch underneathe with light colored stones to show it off.

Butterfly Garden

Common Uses:Butterfly

Make a garden where Monarch and Swallow Tail Butterflies will canonize you. Some of their favorites include: "Anise Hyssop, Bee Balms, Butterfly Bush, Butterflyweed, Bloodflower, Chives, Coltsfoot, Echinacea, Gem Marigolds, Hyssop, Lavenders, Thymes, and Verbenas. angelica

$Butterflyweed \ Bloodflower$

Butterflyweed \ Bloodflower

Asclepias curassavica

Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a 10b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-4 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Ornamental

Irrepressible orange and red star flowers in 4” clusters caught customers' attention all summer. This easy to grow, South American species, is also a favorite of Monarch Butterflies in the garden or any large mixed container. We combined this with Sweet Potato `Blackie’ - WOW!

Butterflyweed \ Pleurisy Root

Asclepias tuberosa

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Butterfly, Medicinal, Ornamental

One of the most important plants you can buy to help save the Monarch Butterfly and give yourself a beautiful, bright orange, hardy perennial simultaneously. The dried powdered roots can be decocted to make a powerful expectorant and when combined with Angelica archangelica was used to treat Pleurisy. Once established, it will not transplant well.

Butterflyweed, 'Gay Butterflies'

Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a10b9a9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-4 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Butterfly, , Ornamental

Irrepressible orange and red star flowers in 4” clusters caught customers' attention all summer. This easy to grow, South American species, is also a favorite of Monarchs in the garden or any large mixed container. We combined this with Sweet Potato `Blackie’ - WOW!

BEVERLY ANDERSON, retail manager, succulent specialist

Growing up, I spent weekends harvesting vegetables and taking care of animals at my aunts' and uncles’ farms in the Oberlin area, so it wasn’t a stretch for me to become Mulberry Creek’s first employee. I had met Karen at “Jazzercise” class, so when she called (in 1996) asking for help in retail, my adventure with Mulberry Creek began. I left a couple of times, pursuing my art interests. I returned to the herb farm about a decade ago, and have been with Mark and Karen ever since. My many interests include cooking, animals, outdoors in general, meeting new people and staying healthy. I like to spend my free time in my flower and vegetable gardens, puttering in the midst of my beautiful, free range chickens. My favorite activities are creating with my hands, chatting with friends (and strangers!), and learning which is why Mulberry Creek is the perfect fit. I propagate plants in the winter, sell them in the spring and get excited about the new plants we add every year!

Ben in Germany

Ben Langan, eldest son of Mark & Karen, has helped in the greenhouse and gardens since about the age of eight. He earned a Bachelor's in Business from Kent State University. In the process, Ben studied abroad in Germany, adding an international business degree and an appreciation for masterfully created wines inspiring him to complete an enology (wine-making) degree, also from Kent State. You will find Ben at Quarryhill Winery (Berlin Heights) as he is their winemaker!

Broccoli, Belstar

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

(62 days)- high in protein; large head for early Spring/Fall

Broccoli- BURGUNDY

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

(60-90 days)- compact; tolerant of drought & chilly falls

Broccoli, DE CICCO*

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

(48 days)- old fashioned, italian heirloom; mini bunches of broccoli

Broccoli, IMPERIAL

Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

(58 days)- tight, compact, main season crop for fresh/frozen

Bean And Bacon Soup

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 10-16 ounces applewood-smoked slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch slices 2 medium onions, finely chopped 1 large shallot, finely chopped 2 quarts homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock 4- 15 ounce cans assorted beans (Cannelini, White Northern, Pinto, Black) 3 large thyme sprigs 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 garlic clove, minced Freshly ground pepper 1 bunch each, kale & Swiss chard, sliced into slivers

Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add bacon, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 12 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate. Add onions and shallot to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and soft, about 8 minutes.
Return bacon to pan. Stir in stock, beans, thyme, and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Add garlic glove, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
Stir in chard and kale. Cook 8-10 minutes. Season with fresh ground pepper. (I omitted salt with the bacon & chard being salty already.)