Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Catalog/Mulberry Miniatures

Mulberry Miniatures

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Welcome to Mark’s dream section. The smaller the plant is, the more he likes it. "I find these miniatures, so often overlooked 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. Certainly it has to do with no matter how many varieties I find, there are, literally, always room for more. And there's the fact that they are just darn cute, like the tiny doll furniture, that make you yearn to be just their size. I suppose I like 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."

We hope you enjoy these selections as much as we have reveled in collecting them.

Serissa Snowrose, Pink Mountain 5 in.+

Serissa foetida 'Pink Mountain'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: to 2 feet
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Winter to Late Winter to Middle Winter
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

A striking, variegated leaved miniature pink magnolia tree! Doesn't bloom as freely as ""Cherry Blossom"" but I have to admit, it does not need flowers to charm visitors. Like ""Cherry Blossom"", it prefers temperatures above 60 degrees (although a light freeze is okay) and does not like to dry out. Still, it is a great bonsai and miniature landscape tree.

Serissa Snowrose, Tiny Kyoto

Serissa foetida 'Kyoto'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: up to 1 foot
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Winter to Late Winter to Middle Winter
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

As Serissa go, this is the tiniest leaved variety, although it grows rather quickly. 'Tiny Kyoto' is precisely proportioned as a tree for the smallest scale railroad, or as a shrub in large scale. Yes, it's suited for Zone 9-10 growers but it does just fine indoors, over winter. Occasionally, we're treated to its rare white-pink flowers.

Serissa Snowrose, Tiny Kyoto 5in.+

Serissa foetida 'Kyoto'

Serissa Snowrose, Yatsubusa

Serissa foetida 'Yatsubusa'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: to 1 Foot
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Spring to Early Winter to Late Winter to Middle Sprin
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Leaves are larger than 'Kyoto' and rounded, but are stacked on top of one another. Has a very cool, miniature Dr. Seuss tree look about it.

Serissa Snowrose, Yatsubusa 5in.+

Serissa foetida 'Yatsubusa'

Leaves are larger than 'Kyoto' and rounded, but are stacked on top of one another. Has a very cool, miniature Dr. Seuss tree look about it.

Silene, Autumn Campion

Silene schafta

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2h x 4w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub, Rock Garden

Give late summer into fall a much needed boost in pale, plum color after the party has died down in the rock garden. The small needle-leaved cushions, much like a Dianthus, are pretty interesting as well.

Silene-Var Robin White Breast

Silene uniflora 'Druitt's Variegated

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1in. x 12in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Well Drained
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Walk About

We've offered other extremely low growing, variegated miniatures before but this one's Winter hardy here. The white flowers play second fiddle to the year round green and cream. Due to its low, but spreading stature, make sure you site it in a special, close-up garden with other morning sun loving, non-aggressive miniatures.

Silver Scilla

Ledebouria socialis (Scilla violacea)

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

This old soul was first described in 1870 as a native of South Africa. Another common name,“Leopard Lily”, refers to the dark green to turquoise markings over frosted-silver, strap-like leaves that are too huge for mini landscaping plus the (lily) bulb below. Though it resists drought in its native savannas, it's perfectly tolerant of terrariums and dish gardens. It sends up white flower spikes whenever it wants.

Skeleton Plant

Corokia cotoneaster

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3' x 3' wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Well Drained
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Yes it is Alive! From Australia, this is a desert survivor. Looks dead because in full sun, the leaves turn nearly black and are the size of the zig zagging black branches. This is how it has adapted to the blazing summer heat. In a more shady location or in winter the leaves become greener and wider. Although it can grow to 4' X4' it is easy to bonsia or keep pruned in the garden to a small tree in railroad gardens. Oh, almost forgot, tiny yellow flowers appear in winter.

Skeleton Plant 5in.+

Corokia cotoneaster

Snowbush \ Breynia, Dwarf

Breynia disticha 'Rosea Picta Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 3 feet (10 years)
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Karen has not been able to kill this one in the house! (What?! That's not true - no, wait a minute, you're right.) Phenomenally tolerant to low light, even dry conditions. White, pink and green marbled leaves are 1/2 inch across when given lots of soil and fertilizer, but quickly ""self-bonsai"" down to 1/4"" leaves when root bound, giving the appearance of a tricolored ""Redbud"" or ""Katsura Tree"". Our best miniature landscape tree for the summer shade garden and a delightfully colorful houseplant.

Solidago, Tiny Goldenrod

Solidago coulteri

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 3in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Late Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bees, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

A miniature version of north America's favorite and most beautiful hayfever / allergy trouble-maker. But at only 2 to 3 inches tall the cute golden-yellow flowers really can't cause any problems.

Spikemoss, Dwarf Mound

Selaginella brownii 'Pincushion'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Shade to P.Shade
Height: 2in. x 4
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade

If I could muster up a more flattering description than ""fuzzy green brains"", I would, because it does not do justice to how cute (and pet-able) it is for those difficult-to-grow shade gardens.

Spikemoss, Golden Creeping

Selaginella brownii 'Aurea'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Baskets, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

These living fossils literally covered the plant millions of years ago, providing us today, with our gasoline and natural gas. Luckily, today, this lovely golden groundcover still illuminates the shady container or moist garden. Has survived many winters here in protected areas.

Spikemoss, Ruby Red

Selaginella brownii 'Ruby Red'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Baskets, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade, Walk About

Spikemoss, Ruby Red

Selaginella erthropus 'Sanguinea'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: 1/2in. X 6in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Groundcover/Spiller

Sanguinea' refers to the ruby red color of the undersides of this, evergreen-on-top, foliage. No imagination necessary. An image of deep in the ocean, Jacques Cousteau shot of a swaying reef is instantaneous. Beuatiful contastly groundcover.

St. John's Wort, Mini Blue

Hypericum cerastoides rhodophaeum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 24in. spreading
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden

Will this miniaturization stop? Call it our stand against the fast food super size craze. Even St. John's Wort has been ""lowered"" to a 3!"" Blue, oval leaves lay flattened on whispy branches but eventually layer upon one another to form a low mound. Like its taller cousin, bright yellow flowers show off in early summer.

Stachys, Mini Lamb's Ear

Stachys byzantina 'Silky Fleece'

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

Combine 2"" grey and silver touched mounds, purple flower stalks and lilac-plum colored spikes and you've got a soft bed for the wee folk and the lady beetles. 3/4 inch, woolly leaves like felt, create tight clustering groundcover and a dramatic patch of silver foliage between rocks.

Stachys. Dwarf Betony

Stachys officinalis 'Nana'

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

Perhaps it was the 1/2 pint-sized, violet pink flowers hovering 3 or 4 inches above the dark green rosette of leaves which inspired Cicely Barker to illustrate this ""Dwarf Betony"" about a century ago. Suitable for sunny faery gardens.

Star Creeper, Alpine White

Pratia puberula 'Alba'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-Sun to Shade
Height: 1/2in. groundcover
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Garden Railroads, Container, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

Groundcovers are quite popular especially ones, like this, that flower and are hardy. Every situation is different. This plant continues blooming white well into the fall when pampered with normal to moist, shady conditions.

Star Creeper, Baby Blue

Pratia pendunculata (Laurentia)

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

Need a quick spreading groundcover for shade to sun, that has adorable baby blue, star-shaped flowers from late May until September? Flowers look like miniature umbrellas dancing above the dark green, corsican mint-like leaves (sans the scent). The perfect faerie garden plant or groundcover between plants or stepping stones. Likes loose, organic, rotted bark soil. Not invasive.

Star Creeper, Country Park

Pratia pendunculata 'Country Park'

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

Same as ""Baby Blue"" albeit dark blue flowers. Star creepers are a dream come true for all you folks looking for plants to tuch in between stepping stones or rocks in the shade.

Strawberry, Faery

Fragaria v. semper. 'Verbesserte Rugen'

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

Cute is good- edible is even better. This is not your main season, full sized berry but a delicious, pinkie sized fruit that you’ll be nibbling all Summer. Use as an effective groundcover under any shrub. Loves to spread (albeit slowly) over old bark mulch.

Strawberry, Woodland Faery

Fragaria vesva var. vesca

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P. Shade – Sun
Height: 8h x 16w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Groundcover, Culinary

We were intrigued by this ever bearing strawberry for its fruits “arch over the foliage.” Yes, you get handfuls of berries throughout the summer but they tiny, (very sweet!) and a pain in the butt to pick. Anything that makes harvest easier, catches our attention. What a wonderful groundcover for part shade too.