Mulberry Creek Herb Farm

Cilantro, Vietnamese

Persicaria odoratum
(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.

Cuban Oregano, Golden Ruffle

Plectranthus (Coleus) amboinicus 'Golden Ruffles'


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
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
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.

Elfin Herb, 5 in. Assorted

Cuphea hyssopifolia `Alba'
A radiant white version of other Elfin Herbs; Leaves are slightly darker and more narrow, and the entire plant is more compact. Tolerates both sun and shade better than ôPurple.ö Try it in a magical moon garden.P.S. Surely a faerie folk lengend by now.

Elfin Herb,Assorted Colors

Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Baby Pink'


As promised in 2003, here is a delicate ""pink"" version of the popular miniature tropicals that railroaders and faerie gardners admire. Like all of the ""Elfin Herbs"", it can grow as well in full shade or partial sun. However, flower color and quantity is better with at least some direct sun during the day. Great houseplant under some fluorescent lights for year round flowering!

Fuchsia, David

Fuchsia X 'David'
Some spill over baskets but this fuchsia is destined as a trained, upright miniature blooming tree. Flowers are small with red tubes, red sepals and deep purple corollas. For a tropical fruit salad, add these tasty blooms. Remember harvesting initiates more blooms just as clipping foliage encourages more leaves.

Gota Kola, Variegated

Hydrocotyl sibthorpioides



If conditions are right you can site this polite spreader anywhere. Its variegated, round leaves brighten a shady path (where hardy), or cozy up to ""Impatiens"" in a shady annual basket. Grown in full sun, tuck them in wet soil, around wet bogs and pond edges. We don’t know if it contains the brain strengthener constituents of the non-variegated Gotu Kola but the leaves taste exactly the same.

Gotu Kola

Hydrocotyl asiatica minor


Scratching her head, a customer told me, ""I just read about Gotu Kola but I can't remember what it was used for."" I smiled and gently replied, ""it's said to improve brain function, particularly, memory."" I have read, (though I can't remember where) ;), you can add 1 tsp dried leaves to 1 cup boiling water daily; or stronger when used for a wound wash to reduce inflammation. Northerners, take indoors or protect.

Ice Plant, Heart-Leaf Apple

Aptenia cordata `Red Apple'
Our neighbor, Mr. Johnson, a plant and train collector, gave us this beauty of carmine red, 3/4ö flowers on a carpet of emerald green, heart shaped leaves. Nearly every walk-in customer asked what it was. For months we weren't sure. After selling out, we tracked down the botanical name. Grows anywhere, including full shade, albeit with fewer flowers. Fills a 12ö hanging basket by summer's end!

Ice Plant, Heart-Leaf Apricot

Aptenia cordata sp.
After the incredible response for ôHeart-Leaf Apple,ö Mr. Johnson came by with this, which ended up just as popular. Whoever's responsible for these 3 introductions - Thanks!. Combine with ôMarble Ruffles Cuban Oreganoö for theultimate low maintenance basket.

Ice Plant, Heart-Leaf Variegated

Aptenia cordata 'Variegata'


Check another ôHoly Grailö off Mark's list. While researching ôHeart-Leaf Carpet Appleö there was a reference to a strongly variegated form with red flowers and he found it. True to its flashy description, it sold out as fast as we could propagate it for our retail public. Order early!

Ice Plant, Trailing Yellow

Delosperma sp. (ie we haven't a clue)


A drought ""Survivor"" like the popular 'John Proffit' but with sunshine yellow ""stars."" Narrow, blue-green leaves grow faster & long. This tender perennial is winter hardy to Zone 7 and a cheerful addition to baskets or rock garden.

Ice Plant, Tufted Fuchsia

Delosperma sphalmanthoides


Shimmering, fuchsia-pink flowers force themselves up between the sardine packed, petite, blue, finger-like leaves. This stunning contrast is best showcased in an upright tile or basket near eye level. Railroad mountain landscapes also benefit from this touch.

Ivy, Henrietta

Hedera helix 'Henrietta'


I've yet to see a smaller, more heavily variegated ivy than ôHenrietta.ö Great as a houseplant & an easy miniature topiary standard. Perfect for faery gardens as Ivy stands for friendship. So add one to your garden and make friends with ôGod's littlest angels.ö

Ivy, Mini Anita

Hedera helix 'Anita'


Precious, micro, maple-leaf foliage make a lush filler to any planting. Don't forget this faerie garden standard symbolizing friendshop & fidelity.

Jade, Mini Pine Tree

Crassula tetragona


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.

Lampranthus, Trailing Tiger Jaws

Lampranthus blandus 'Pink Vygie'


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.

Mint, Pineapple

Mentha suaveolens `Variegata'
White & green variegated leaves hold their color even in the summer heat. Try it in baskets with ""Opal Basil"" & ""Attar of Roses"" geranium. A colorful, fruity addition to cool sorbets, coleslaw, jell-o, pizza, iced tea, and tuna sandwiches.

Monkeywort, Creeping Blue

Lindernia grandiflora
Go bananas over the dark blue and white flowers that never quit blooming above glossy green, heart shaped leaves. The flowers remind me of a miniature Mimulus. Although it is a tropical groundcover that loves the heat, we have found it be very compact and rather slow to spread. It just wants to flower. Great for mini landscapes or zone 8 and warmer, rainforest, railroad gardens. A Florida native.

Nasturtium, Empress Of India

Tropaelum majus`Empress of India'
Exotic, deep red flowers on dark green foliage form a semi trailing habit. This best selling annual compliments yellow gem marigolds, lantana, pineapple mint, or hot colored flowering plants. Tasty!

Nasturtium, Variegated Alaska

Tropaelum majus`Alaska Variegata'




This flamboyant specimen is not for the weak of heart. Mixed colors of red, yellow or orange compliment round, green leaves, swirled in random yellow streaks. Everybody's favorite for mixed containers. Highly ornamental, even when it isn't in bloom. Flowers are prized for their sweet peppery flavor. Green seed pods are ""radish"" hot!

Oregano, Dittany of Crete

Origanum dictamnus


Gray-white, round fuzzy leaves & reddish-pink, hop-like flower heads are a fine match. Most people don't realize it's an oregano. It's a natural in hanging baskets, strawberry jars, and other mixed containers. Herb of Fertility: So, here you go grandma wanna-bees.