Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Alphabetical Listing of Herbs

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FAERIE FERN

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: Groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade, Walk About

This is a great group of ground-hugging "ferny" looking hardy perennials. Also a source of our botanical frustration - 'Leptinella' or 'Cotula'? After looking and researching, we decided to go with the former and present all of our plants with common names first. We don't change our minds as often as the botanist. All like shade and will tolerate partial sun.

Faerie Fern \ Brass Buttons

Leptinella (Cotula) squalida

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

A miniature looking creeping fern! Slightly felted, green, fern-like leaves creeping just under the soil to form a thick carpet with curious yellow ""Brass Buttons"" blooms. Ferns are a traditional Faerie Garden plant that symbolizes imagination. Superlative groundcover, even a lawn substitute, between stepping stones in loose shady areas. $ 4.29

Faerie Fern, Mini

Letinella (Cotula) minor

Cold Tolerance: Zone 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 3/4in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

Even smaller leaves and lower growing than other faerie ferns with all the same uses, just tiny! All of the """"Faerie Ferns"" thrive in small containers and miniature landscapes and especially suited to outdoor railroad and faerie gardens. All appreciate extra water during a particularly sunny spell. $ 4.29

Faerie Fern, Platt's Black

Letinella (Cotula) x 'Platt's Black'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 9b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade
Height: 1 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

Inch long, medium sized leaves are more dainty and finely textured than previous selections. Throw in some sunshine, they are jet black! In a little more shade they grow bicolored green with black tips. Grow over crushed white stone for best effect. Petite yellow buttons form in spring! We received an email that this plant's proper name is 'Platt's Black' after Kaila Platt, not 'Pratt's Black'. Once again we humbly apologize and shake our heads at the nursery industry for spreading bad names like rumors. $ 4.29

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. $ 4.29

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.

Faery Gardening? What's That?!

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

No matter what historical reference you use to spell human's name for "wee folk," faery, fairy or faerie gardening is a welcome trend for all ages. Perhaps you've read Mark's story about Ben and the "Elfin Herb" years ago and know that we point out faery herbs throughout our entries, because we believe! Like the spirit of Saint Nicholas, faeries are also known as "God's littlest angels," and their spirits live in our gardens. Ask any child.
Faery lore is a wonderful way for the older generation to teach young children about the magic of gardening. Using simple, fun stories to help them remember some rules (even those you make up yourself) are marvelous. One of my favorites is: Faeries stow away their babies in rosemary flowers, so when you pick and eat a flower, remember to first giggle it, so that the faeries can get their babes out of harm's way. (Avoids undesirable protein too.) Another is to "never eat a foxglove flower as this is where faeries nap during the day." Good memory jogger as they are also poisonous. As faeries are the caretakers of flora and perhaps early big tomatoes!, you would do well to invite these shy, hardworking, fun loving folks into your garden. Please, consider planting a secret faery garden with a child and pass on your love of gardening to the next generation.

Fans & Tiny wicker baskets each

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

$ 0.25

Fence White Picket 1 x 18-inch

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

$ 3.00

Fence, Large Rusty

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

$11.00

Fence, Small Rusty -6554-39

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

$ 2.00

Fennel, Bronze

Foeniculum vulgare `Bronze'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-4 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Edible Flowers, Medicinal, Ornamental, Tea

This beauty need not provide anything useful, but boy does it ever! Imagine fine feathery foliage with a bronze-red cast, tickling yellow hued ""Queen Anne Lace""-like flowers above. Does not produce a bulb but leaves and stems are tasty, finely chopped, added to salads, fish, and soups. A tea from the leaves or seeds eases our indigestion. After seeds begin to mature, cut entire stalks. Hang them upside down in a paper bag to finish ripen, and avoid self-seeding all over the garden. $ 3.79

Fennel, Florence Bulbing

Foeniculum dulce

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Butterfly, Culinary, Edible Flowers, Tea

This ""eat-everything-but-the-squeal herb"" is grown as a vegetable until full bulb forms, but harvest green foliage along the way. Dig up entire plant before bulb splits. Often mislabeled as anise in grocery store. Use in stews or cut into large chunks for steaming. Grate steamed bulb or add snipped leaves to lightly season pasta, white sauce or eggs. I make an apple, fennel bulb, bleu cheese and greens salad with balsamic vineagrette. Fennel is the preeminent anti-wrinkle herb, often used in facial steams, mouthwash and hair rinses. $ 3.29

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. $ 4.79

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. $ 4.79

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

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

Clusters of 1/2"" white daisy flowers reach 6"" above green, deeply lobed leaves that forms a 2 foot tall by 2' wide rosette. Customers have tried fresh leaves hidden in a mayonnaise sandwich (to mask bitterness) for reducing the severity & frequency of migraines. $ 3.79

Feverfew, Mini Pompom

Tanacetum parthenium 'Plenum Florum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Ornamental

We love medicinal herbs which are exceptional. Just being among them, heals our soul. Lilliputian white ""pompoms"" adorn this charming herb early summer through fall. We grow it from cuttings to insure fully double flowers, which seed grown plants cannot reliably produce. $ 3.79

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. $ 4.79

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. $ 5.29

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. $ 5.29

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! $ 5.29

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. $ 5.29

FOXGLOVE

Why do we offer so many foxglove varieties? They stand up to our hellacious winds that inevitably arrive in March, departing before summer's heat, here on the farm. These "slim Paris models" perform best in crowded gardens, where they tower, then disappear, "off-stage." Many rebloom for us in the fall. Although we provide their first winter chill, some varieties may not flower this year. Please note height & hardiness when making selections, or just order 1 each. All varieties are hardy to as cold as Zone 5 through the warmer Zone 8, with "Dwarf Amber" to Zone 6. Although they are rooted in medicinal use, ALL FOXGLOVES ARE CONSIDERED POISONOUS TO DEER, RABBITS AND HUMANS.

Foxglove, Chocolate

Digitalis parviflora

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Ornamental

Milk chocolate-red flowers look good enough to eat- but don't. You couldn't squeeze in another flower between the narrow, glossy green leaves on sturdy stems. Seed stalks are dried for outrageous flower arrangements. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Dwarf Amber

Digitalis obscura

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 15in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Narrow dark green leaves and amber yellow flowers that have red spots on the "throat" result in a tidy, 15 inch foxglove and a solid choice for the front of a perennial border. Bloomed most of the summer and beyond, begging to be dried or stuck fresh into a pumpkin for Halloween arrangements. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Garden Apricot

Digitalis purpurea 'Apricot'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3 - 4 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Ornamental

Need a tall, stylish wind tolerant beauty in your garden? Well this is it. All three ""Garden"" Foxglove varieties put on a colorful summer show, and re-seed themselves loyally. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Garden Purple

Digitalis purpurea `Foxy'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Ornamental

This biennial foxglove proudly bears 3' tall spikes of pink-purple bell flowers the first year! Although breathtaking, absolutely no part of this plant should be eaten. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Garden White

digitalis purpurea 'Alba'

A luminous addition to a moonlight garden and a welcome pause for your eyes in the border. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Giant Yellow

Digitalis ambigua (grandiflora)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2- 1/2 to 3 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Ornamental

This hardy perennial (not biennial) has voluptuous, light yellow 2"" bells ringing on nearly 3 foot tall stalks. Shorter foxgloves will tolerate windier locations. Cool lemon spikes are always a premium. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Herold�s Yellow

digitalis ferruginia `Gigantea Gelber Herold'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 3-5 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Ornamental

A true giant among the perennial foxgloves, it can reach 5 feet if grown in a rich, acid soil with good summer water. Gigantic, yellow flowers are not to be passed up either. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Pam�s Choice

Digitalis X 'Pam's Choice'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Ornamental

Huge white flowers with a maroon red spotted throat are a five alarm siren for any hummingbird in the area. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Silver Fox

Digitalis purpurea 'Heywoodii'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Ornamental

Tall, short-lived foxgloves, step aside. We're tickled with this compact cultivar which endures year after year and picture this- woolly white hairs covering the foliage and soft pink, speckled flower balanced above. $ 3.79

Foxglove, Spanish Peaks

Digitalis thapsi

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 1/2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer
Common Uses:Bees, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Toss out the stakes. Reach for this short, woolly gray leaved foxglove. 2"" purple-rose flowers have sweetly spotted throats. It flowers for about one month, in June, before other foxgloves and repeats in the fall for us. As a native of east Portugal & western Spain, it will tolerate a higher soil pH. The foxglove of faery gardens. $ 3.79

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! $ 4.79

Mulberry Creek Herb Farm
3312 Bogart Road, � Huron, Ohio 44839
Phone: (419) 433-6126 � Fax: (419) 433-6126
mulberrycreek@yahoo.com