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

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

Calamint, Alpine

Calamintha nepeta var. nepeta

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Culinary, Edible Flowers, Ornamental

The ideal perennial! Low maintenance,(i.e. no dead heading) with a perfect mound of delicate, sweet tasting, lilac-blue flowers that spoil us from June until after a fall freeze. It's true! Foliage has sweet minty fragrance, but it does not trespass like a mint. Essential as a faery garden plant.

Calathea / Mini Prayer Plant

Calathea micans cv.

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade – P. Sun
Height: 2h x 4w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

World's Smallest “Prayer Plant” This is an un-named, ½ sized cultivar of the species, that is not exactly a scaled miniature for landscaping but great for terrariums and dish gardens. It really likes it warm so if it goes dormant, it is NOT dead! It will resprout. Wish I could do that trick with my knees!

Calendula, Alpha

Calendula officinalis 'Alpha'

Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 2w feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Medicinal, Skin Cosmetic, Ornamental

Clear, bright blooms are easy to see but its chemistry suggests a high resin content, so admire it or infuse in oil for a healing skin preparation. There are many medicinal uses as well.

Calendula, Maayan

Calendula officinalis

Light: Full Sun
Height: 20h x 20w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Medicinal, Skin Cosmetic, Ornamental

Though it is Maayan, not Mexican, we'll add it to our herb fair garden this year for its flame colored flowers and brown centers that are as vibrant as they are medicinal. Many blooms exhibit twice the petals for a festive, ruffly appearance in the garden or in a vase.

Calendula, Resina

Calendula officinalis 'Resina'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 - 3 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bees, , Container, , Medicinal, , Ornamental, , Edible Flowers, Ornamental / Medicinal

HERB OF THE YEAR 2008 Healing skin & lip salves, Easter eggs and wool dyes, antiseptic tinctures and salad embellishments can all feature Calendula flowers. Yellow blossoms are what you can expect from 'Resina' with a few orange blossoms with light centers.

Calocephalus, Cushion Bush

Calocephalus brownii

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 12 x 12in.
Water: Normal- Dry
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Plants like this silver foliaged tumble-weed separate the passionate collectors from those with a casual interest in unique plants. It's easier to tell that it's alive vs. say the ""Skeleton Plant"", I give it that. Still, it's such a great contrast with its linear, jointed form that I really shouldn't belittle it.

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Shade to Shade
Height: 3 Feet tall +
Water: Wet
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Culinary, , Houseplants

Tropical plant which is the source of the very expensive Cardamom seed. It is one of the easiest herb houseplants since it's nearly impossible to overwater. Must reach mature height before it will flower. Leaves also have a very spicy fragrance.

Catalog 2018

Catalog 2024

CATMINT & CATNIPS

So what's the difference between the two? The names are interchanged regularly plus there's Calamints, mentioned previously, and the confusion never ends. Botanically, both are Nepetas. Until we nibbled the buds, we considered Catmints as only ornamental, while felines and humans consumed Catnip. In any case, they are long flowering, hardy perennials for faery or flower beds

Catmint, Creeping

Nepeta mussini (faassenii)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Ornamental

Our #1 recommended hardy perennial to plant under and in between roses. Small white-gray, fine toothed leaves form a 2 feet wide by 12"" high PERFECT mound, covered with blue flowers in June and occasionally in the fall. Although stronger and more pleasantly fragrant than common catnip, it doesn't attract any of our neighborhood cats, so it remains untouched. Plant several together in rock gardens, to take advantage of the relaxing, swaying ocean of rare, soft blue color.

Catmint, Six Hills Giant

Nepeta x 'Six Hills Giant'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 1/2 x 5 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Ornamental

This is ""Creeping Catmint"" on steroids! 2 1/2' mounds of sky blue flowers, make a dramatic show planted between delphiniums, foxgloves, and other spikes.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-Sun to Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Bees, Butterfly, Medicinal, Tea

Since this is the original ""6-Pack of beer"" for cats, protect new plantings until established. For humans, a medicinal tea is made from 2 tsp. dried catnip per 1 cup of water to aid in sleeping, colds and fevers. Flavor with honey or stevia. Remove flower heads before they mature to prevent self-sowing, unless you desire it for the entire neighborhood.

Catsfoot - Pussytoes, Pink

Antennaria diocica

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

A dwarf version of this popular (if not policially incorrect name) plant. Felted gray, spreading mat, grew beautifully last year along our ""Walk-About"" path, despite the humidity. Tiny pink clusters in summer.

Catsfoot - Pussytoes, Red

Antennaria dioica 'Rubra'

Celery, Amsterdam Cutting

Apium graveolens

Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a 10b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot tall
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

Celery substitute, but MUCH easier to grow. No blanching required. Also known as ""Love Straw"" for its' hollow stalks, which are perfect for sipping delightful tomato juice drinks & ""Blood Marys,"" during our 'winter break."" (Just kidding, Valerian Tea is what we should be sipping now & again). Stalks & leaves can be added whenever celery is needed.

Celery, Par-cel

Apium graveolens

Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a 10b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot tall
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

Celery flavor with a touch of parsley. Our #1 volunteer declared this pseudo-celery her #1 favorite test plant last year. Now you can try it.

Ceramobonsai

Chair, Wire

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Chair, Wooden Faery

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

Chamomile, Double Roman

Chamaemelum nobile `Flore Pleno'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 4in.
Water: Dry-Normal Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Fragrant, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

The vaguely ""Granny Smith"" apple scented foliage forms a low growing groundcover which spreads slowly. Double daisy like flowers emerge, the groundwork for an almost maintenance free herb lawn, once established. Perfect for cracks between stepping stones. It has been consistently hardy for us. Has all the same uses as regular “Roman Chamomile” but is shorter and will not re-seed everywhere.

Chervil, Brussel Winter

Anthriscus cerefolium `Brussels Winter'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun
Height: 10-24in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Edible Flowers

This is an improved, vigorous European variety that is larger and slower to bolt than ordinary ""Chervil."" Use fresh or frozen leaves in salads, soups, fish white sauce, and quiche, ideally fresh or cooked less than 5 minutes. Start in early spring with lettuce since it will bolt into flower with summer heat. Collect seed & plant in August for a fall crop.

Chile, Mini Bonsai Tree

Capsicum frutescens 'Prik kee noo'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 12 x 12 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Bonsai

“World's Smallest Chile Pepper,” and with just a little lower stem pruning, it is the easiest bonsai tree to grow in just one season. Fine, burnt orange fruits announce themselves early followed by equally tiny leaves that form by season's end. Maybe it'll mature to a 12” X 12” tree, but our 3 year old has not yet achieved that size. Couldn't fill in a gig as a mini scaled apple tree for its fiercely, firey, pointed fruits would be a cruel joke if someone sampled.

CHIVE

Chive Growing Tips: Cut back to 1” high after blossoming. You’ll be rewarded with a second flush of growth and will prevent massive reseeding. (Not a worry for “Seed- Free.”) All are hardy to at least Zone 5. Use the flowers fresh in salads for a “No Tears” sweet “Vidalia or Walla Walla” onion flavor. Or how about in vinegars, fresh flower arrangements, or bouquets? Important: Snip leaf blades with scissors to avoid bruising with a knife.

Chives, Curly

Allium senescens var. `Glaucum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 4in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: Early Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Container, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

You have to see this quirky, miniature, curly, blue-leaved ""Allium"" for yourself. It is too sweet for rock gardens or small pockets. 2"" baby pink blossoms flirt with bees on top of 3-4"" stalks in June or July. Should be sprinkled sparingly due to a strong onion flavor.

Chives, Garlic

Allium tuberosa

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Cut Flower, Edible Flowers, Ornamental

Imagine: pristine, tall, white, 2"" globe, flower clusters in August. Also called ""Flat leaf Chives"" for their wider leaves; Add a mild garlic flavor, by simply sprinkling bits of flowers over chicken, Caesar salad, omelets and bread. I mean what doesn't need a dash of garlic?

Chives, Onion/Garden, Seed-free

Allium schoenoprasum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Cut Flower, Edible Flowers

Carefree, seed-free, just not free. Looks and tastes exactly like Garden Chives"", but will not form any viable seed. Wake Up! That means it will not take over the yard, while you're on vacation, if you forget to remove seed heads. It also blooms about 6 weeks longer since it's not ""worried about the kids"".

Chives, Onion/Garden, Staro

Allium schoenoprasum 'Staro'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Butterfly, , Culinary

Chose this “Oniony Chive” because of its heavier, thicker leaves which makes harvest, fresh use and freezing easier. Freeze by snipping leaves into 2 or 3” lengths, placing it on a cookie sheet and “flash freezing” it for about 30 minutes or until stiff. Throw them in labelled “Zip-loc” bags. This insures being able to pull out the leaves individual.

Chrysanthemum, Mini Desert Jewel

Rhodanthemum 'Morocco'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 6w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

From the Atlas Mountains in Morocco comes inch high mounds of dark green, glossy leaves and white, red backed flowers, early spring through late fall. Naturally, a rock garden or trough is its home away from home, but its sweet daisies demand a shot in a faery scene. Requires draining soil to survive the winter temps.

CILANTRO & IMPERSONATORS

A difficult flavor to describe,and enjoy for some, Cilantro is so important to the world's cuisine. Therefore we offer you 3 different plants. Together they provide year round leaves in any climate. For true "Cilantro," we offer only 'Jantar' as it will produce the most leaf, yet still render Coriander seed, with a roasted, citrusy-sage flavor unlike the pungent leaves it resides above. "Vietnamese Cilantro" doesn't produce coriander-type seed but is thriving in August for salsas and is easily overwintered indoors. "Culantro" is just plain intimidating, looking more at home in the desert than the dinner plate.

Cilantro \ Coriander

Coriandrum sativum 'Santo'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Edible Flowers

This improved variety promises more fresh leaves and extra time to enjoy them in the spring. Grow with lettuce as it will fade with summer's heat. Small white flowers become large, brown, rounded seeds (Coriander). Use or reseed right away for a fall crop of Cilantro. One January we were still picking it during the mild winter! For salsas, salads, corn, chicken, beans, SW cooking and salmon.

Cilantro, Vietnamese

Persicaria odoratum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: Groundcover
Water: Wet
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Baskets, , Culinary

(RauRam) In only a short while, this cilantro impersonator is becoming a favorite. It looks like a weed, related to “Smart-weed,” (then again, aren’t they all?) and grows like one in the right situation, but will not flower. We have it year round because it’s dug up in the fall and planted in hanging baskets to overwinter. Use like “Cilantro” in Southwest, Asian & Mexican cuisines.

Cinquefoil, Yellow Creeping

Potentilla neumanniana

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

Everyone has seen the overused ""Potentilla"" in a landscape but imagine a petite version. The bright yellow 3/8"" single rose flowers reveal it's membership in the rose family. Because it is a slow spreading groundcover, it's an icon in our winter windowsill gardens with a rosemary tree and a lemon thyme.

CLASSES- follow us on FB

Check Mulberry Creek HerbFarm (FB & Instagram) & Mulberry Creek Winery Facebook posts for up to date info on classes.

Coleonema - Confetti Bush

Coleanema pulchrum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 18in. x 18
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Fall to Late Winter
Common Uses:Bonsai, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Fragrant, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Medicinal, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

Although this South African plant is often used as a diuretic (to promote urination), it does not give us the right to brutalize its botanical name as Colon enema. Skipping over Karen's sick sense of humor.... Single, white flowers, mature pink among the tiny fragrant needle leaves then sprinkle the root base like.... confetti!. It is hardy to at least 10 or 15 degree.

Coleonema - Confetti Tree

Coleonema pulchrum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 12 x 12 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Bonsai

Here's a bonsai artist's dream: Bring indoors in the fall then witness winter, white-pink blooms in perfect scale with the fine needled, green foliage. Just a few snips and cherry-bark trunks are revealed. Enjoy outdoors as a tree in any miniature landscape.

Coleus, Mini Red-Leaf

Coleus x 'Cantigny Royale'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 12 x 12in.
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

In autumn, there are few rivals to this red maple tree mimic in a miniature railroad or landscape due to its dark red, 1"" leaves. While it is a ""Coleus,"" by the time it matures into a 12"" form, it can easily be trained into the shape of a mini tree.

Columbine, Faerie

Aquilegia flabellata 'Cameo'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 4
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Butterfly, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Like ""Little Lanterns Columbine"", the flowers are almost standard sized, however, the height is shrunk to about 3"" tall, one of the smallest known cultivars. This is a mixture of different flower colors, that rise no more than 3 or 4 inches and will slowly re-seed themselves around the garden. As columbines go, these are long lived and cute!

Columbine, Little Lanterns

Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 10in. x 6
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Butterfly, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

This delicate, literally 1/2 sized version of our native eastern Columbine blooms in its second year. Lucky for you, we've grown them for over 12 months, so these should flower for you this summer with reds and yellows about the size of native Columbine on 10"" stems.

Columnea /Mini Lipstick Variegated

Columnea X 'Broget Stavenger'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade - P. Sun
Height: 1 inch Trailing
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Groundcover/Spiller

Bright red, 3/4 inch, trumpet flowers are strewn over draping variegated foliage. Would make a gorgeous hanging basket if it grew faster though we're quite content to host it in a terrarium or faery garden. Easy houseplant

Containers

Coprosma, Benton's Gold

Coprosma X kirkii 'Benton's Gold'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to Shade
Height: 2' x 2'
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Bonsai, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Gold and green blotched, spoon-shaped foliage suggests the name for this mini, tropical, woody tree. Its gray trunk is particularly interesting for bonsai enthusiasts. Great little plant from New Zealand.

Cotoneaster, Silver-Leaf 2 year

Cotoneaster cv.

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Sun – P. Sun
Height: 16h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Apple Tree, Bonsai

At least two characteristics distinguish this cotoneaster from the others: its fruits are the reddest of all and the foliage is, as you'd expect, quite felted silver.

Cotoneaster, Streibs Findling 2 year

Cotoneaster 'Streibs Findling

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Sun – P. Sun
Height: 12h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Apple Tree, Bonsai

This compares similarly to the standard of miniature cotoneasters, "Tom Thumb” but with redder berries. Makes a great alpine cascade or trained upright as an even better tiny apple tree.

Cotoneaster, Thyme-Leaved

Cotoneaster thymifolia

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Sun – P. Sun
Height: 16h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Apple Tree, Bonsai

Though this variety is in the “World's Smallest LEAVED Cotoneaster” club, it is a vigorous grower, reaching three feet tall and wide in several year. No worries. You can keep it easily pruned into a mini apple tree or hedge.

Cotoneaster, Tom Thumb 3 Year

Cotoneaster thymifolia 'Tom Thumb'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 12in. x 12
Water: Normal
Soil: Any Soil
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Miniature/Faery Garden, Garden Railroads, Topiary

Tom Thumb is small! - small leaves, small flowers, small berries. It is a ground hugging, compact version of the popular cotoneaster (pronounced cot'-won-e'-aster not cotton-easter), landscape staple. Absolutely cold hardy, with white spring flowers and fall red/orange berries-it's a faerie's apple tree!

Cotoneaster, Variegated Rock

Cotoneaster horizontalis 'Variegatus'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 x 3 feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

At a distance, you might think you are seeing a miniature, blooming apple tree, when, in fact, it is this cotoneaster. Why flower when it can have year round, white edged variegation lending to an elegant bonsai or that sweet, aforementioed apple tree in a railroad garden setting. Winter indoors in climates colder than zone 5.

Cremnosedum, Little Gem

X Cremnosedum 'Little Gem'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 4w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

This flowering succulent is a cross between a sedum and a lesser known succulent resulting in a tropical, "Hen & chick" look. Each leaf is plump but comes to a point on the end. Encourage winter, yellow blooms by placing it in a sunny south window. Like most sedums, it blushes when it is outdoors all summer.

Cuban Oregano, Compact Grey

Plectranthus sp

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 6-8in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Ornamental

Survivor Series: A favorite cooking variety of the local Puerto Rican community; Leaves look just like our ""Vick's Plant,"" except they are more gray and stems are very compact, forming a mound (as opposed to long and trailing), however the flavor is more minty-oregano & the scent, less ""Vapor Rub.

Cuban Oregano, Golden Ruffle

Plectranthus (Coleus) amboinicus 'Golden Ruffles'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Shade
Height: Spreading to 4'
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Baskets, Culinary, Houseplants, Ornamental

How about a “Survivor” for the shade? In fact, that’s where it’ll produce the best color. Much like the “Variegated,” but, with a warmer gold and green variegation and scalloped edged, thick leaves that “wave like a football stadium cheer.” (Mark,-the king of bad metaphors) More ornamental, than flavorful, which must’ve been lost during the selection process.

Cuban Oregano, Marble Ruffles

Plectranthus marginata 'Fosteri' sport

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade
Height: spreading to 4 Foot
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Baskets, Ornamental

Another ""survivor"" boasting dark green & chartreuse leaves, scalloped edges and a minty-oregano flavor, like Golden Ruffles. However, the color holds up to full sun. Actually shimmers as a groundcover carpet with red coleus growing up through it. Make a terrific ""Survivor Series"" basket by combining it with any of the Ice Plants and Society Garlic"".

Cuban Oregano, Variegated

Plectranthus (Coleus) ambionicus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to P. Shade
Height: 5 feet Trailing
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Baskets, Culinary, Groundcover, Houseplants, Ornamental

One of the best basket plants we've ever grown: it is hard to kill and tasty too! We admit it. We'd forget to water our own baskets on the porch for a week, but it was no problem. Use fresh in Mexican cooking as you would oregano. Break apart a large fleshy leaf and add to a chicken salad along with pineapple sage. The green and white variegation is a joy to use in the landscape, mixed container, moss basket or as groundcover. Makes great sunny window houseplant.

Culantro

Eryngium foetidum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun
Height: 6in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary

A retail customer of ours from Nicaragua, shrieked for joy when she spotted her favorite home country herb. Very rare. We selected this from ""Companion Plants"", due to its Cilantro flavor claim but we never imagined it could wound us. 3"" long green leaves form a rosette from which comes an almost non-stop source of miniature green thistles creating a beautiful rounded mound. Although it looks fiercesome, the leaves cook down easily and can be used year round. Flowers stalks are used the same until they become too mature. It is best grown in with afternoon shade and lots of water. Except in the ""Pacific Northwet"" where it can be grown in ""full sun"".

Curry Plant

Helichrysum italicum (angustifolia)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 10a10b6a6b7a7b8a8b9a9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 6-12in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Borders, Fragrant, Ornamental, Potpourri

Ornamental narrow gray leaves adorn this upright growing plant. We got it because it smells great, but it's at home as a white foliage feature in our moonlight garden. Has tiny bright yellow buds from July to September. Delightful curry scent, but don't confuse it with curry powder: a blend of cumin, turmeric, & assorted Mid-East spices. One of our retail customers uses it to flavor vinegar.

Curry Plant, Dwarf

Helichrysum italicum microphyllum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 4-6in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, , Culinary, , Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, , Topiary

A true miniature form of ""Curry Plant"", which is perfect for miniature container gardens, bonsai, and rockeries. Tiny, short needled leaves are easily pruned into mini hedges. Know someone with an outdoor model railroad? What a darling, fragrant addition!

CHRISTINE KROMER, retail, propagation, & soil mixing specialist

In college I majored in Environmental Science, specializing in “waste management” which meant I focused on how various chemicals traveled through soil. There, I met my future husband, a farm boy from Sandusky. I loved the farm- the tractors, the fields, and the animals. Over the past 20+ years, I have spent a lot of time at the farm, enjoying the work of it all. Working at Mulberry Creek, I have grown to love many herbs, which were relatively new to me. I especially like the sages- all the colors and textures. The smells of rosemary and scented geraniums make me smile every time. I have slowly introduced herbs into my flower beds, especially those that attract bees and butterflies. Gardening is therapeutic. Spring bulbs turn to summer beauties. Fall brings rest and new colors yet again. God’s treat to us all.

CATHY OSKO & JEANNE STASHICK, premiere transplanting team

First came Jeanne almost 20 years ago. Every time she shopped, she brought new friends which would’ve been reason enough to hire her, as she was well-connected, but I soon discovered this savvy business woman had terrific organizational skills, and she was fun- the perfect qualifications for operating our mail order business. A year later, she brought her cousin Cathy. We needed a math whiz and an efficient, hard working , fun-loving partner to Jeanne, and Cathy was it. Cathy’s description of growing up, fully immersed in the culture of Cleveland and stories about the international students she encountered as a professional at Cleveland State, made the afternoons fly by. They may be a dynamic duo and relatives, but their opposite preferences crack us up. Cathy loves opera and is always cold, while Jeanne heats up quickly and opera makes her “homocidal.” Like most of our employees, both are excellent cooks. They have hosted several progressive dinners for the staff , right after the herb fair. We look forward to March, April and May, when these two arrive to “play in the soil”.

SHELLEY’S HERBAL CHEESE BALL WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS

If your garden contains only a few culinary herbs, here is a recipe that even a beginning gardener can try.
Have fun and share with your friends for an instant “Party in the Garden”!

16 ounces of soft cheese, (cream or goat cheese, at room temperature) 1 cup edible flowers, rinsed & air dried (sweet violet, chives, monarda, gem marigold, OR nasturtium flowers) 5 tablespoons chopped fresh or 5 teaspoons dried herbs (chives, parsley, thyme, oregano, OR savory) small round bottom bowl plastic wrap

Gently fold herbal blend into softened cheese. Set aside. Put sheet of plastic wrap into bowl and press down.
Arrange edible flowers face down in an attractive arrangement. Gently fold softened cheese mixture into bowl over flowers. Cover tightly and refrigerate
several hours or overnight. When ready to serve, invert onto plate. Remove plastic wrap and arrange remaining flowers around the edge of the cheese
ball. Serve with crackers or small toasted bagels. Enjoy.

Cindy Carruthers

Cabbage- CARAFLEX

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

main season cabbage for Spring

Cauliflower, ADONA

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

(58 days)- orange heads brighten when lightly cooked

Cauliflower- FLAME STAR

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

good-sized, white-ivory head heirloom

Collards, COLLARD GREEN

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

enjoy as long as you can in cool spring or fall weather

Cucumber- Bush H-19

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

(57 days) compact, pickling type with great flavor

Cucumber- Burpless, SUYO LONG

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

(61 days)- Chinese, bitterfree, burpless; can pickle too!

LEMON, GINGER, CLOVE HOMEMADE COUGH DROPS

FROM THIS GREAT WEBSITE:
helloglow.co/lemon-ginger-clove-homemade-cough-drops/
Author Lindsey Rose Johnson

Yield 5 dozen

Help soothe a sore throat and suppress coughs.

1/2 cup water 1 cup evaporated cane juice or granulated sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, or more, ground ginger 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves powdered sugar or cornstarch, for coating

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, or greasing very well. A marble slab comes in handy and helps the drops cool quickly.
2. Combine the ingredients, except for powdered sugar or cornstarch, in a heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan.
3. Cook to hard crack stage, about 300°F. This may take between 15-20 minutes, or longer depending on the pan and stove.
4. Test by dropping a little from a spoon into a bowl of ice water. If it cracks, it’s ready. If it’s chewy, cook for a few more minutes.
5. Remove from the heat. Be careful not to let it burn - the temperature rises quickly at the end.
6. Let the mixture cool slightly. Drop onto baking sheet into rounds.
7. Allow to cool completely. Dust with the powdered sugar or cornstarch.
8. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from any moisture. (Moisture will cause them to stick together.) Alternatively, they can be dusted and wrapped individually in small pieces of waxed or parchment paper.

Notes

Adapted from Mind Body Green. Note: These only take about 25-30 minutes to make, but need extra time for cooling.

Cucumber- GREEN FINGER

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

(55 days)- Main crop, american slicing cucumber, 9"" long

HOMEMADE COUGH SYRUP IN THE INSTANT POT

FROM THIS GREAT WEBSITE:
traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/recipes/instant-pot-cough-syrup/
Author Lindsey Dietz

Makes 2 cups

2 cups water 8 sprigs fresh thyme 1/4 cup ground ginger finely chopped 1 cup raw honey preferably local 1 lemon juiced 1/8 teaspoon dried ground cayenne pepper

1. Put water, thyme, and chopped ginger into the Instant Pot.
2. Press the Saute button.
3. Simmer the herbs in water until reduced by half.
4. Allow to cool until the temperature is warm, not hot, steeping the herbs the entire time.
5. Strain.
6. Discard or compost the thyme and ginger.
7. Return the thyme-ginger tea to the Instant Pot.
8. Whisk in honey, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper, if using.
9. Transfer to an airtight jar or bottle.
10. Syrup will keep in a dark cupboard for 1 week. After that, it should be stored in the refrigerator.
11. Administer a tablespoon as often as necessary to soothe a sore throat and calm a cough.

Cucumber-Slicer, LEMON*

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

(70 days)- round, yellow, juicy, sweet, thin skinned

KATHY ADDS:

The following link is my “new thing to try this year.” My grandma used to make a black drawing salve that she swore by. I am looking for a recipe that would be comparable.

I have made plantain salves in the past and use it liberally on myself and my dogs and cats for small wounds, sunburn and insect bites. Check out: learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/chickweed-salve

2 cups water 8 sprigs fresh thyme 1/4 cup ground ginger finely chopped 1 cup raw honey preferably local 1 lemon juiced 1/8 teaspoon dried ground cayenne pepper