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.

Erodium, Double Rose

Erodium chamaedryoides 'Dark Eyes'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2in. x 4
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Spring to Early Summer to Early Winter
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

I spied it in a winter window-sill container with a rosemary tree and asked, ""Is that a true dwarf true geranium?"" ""Nope,"" Mark replied, ""but it is related"". Loves the same cultural conditions as rosemary (with a different texture), and rarely stops showing off its adorable bright pink, red streaked, fully double flowers. Hardy to only Zone 6 (with snow protection), it is ideal for indoor containers, flowering all winter.

Euonymus, Mini Creeper

Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2in. groundcover
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary, Walk About

Not only is this superior as a ""Walk-About"" between stepping stones, but it remains strong, often not going dormant, as a miniature ""wintercreeper"" outdoors in Ohio. Always welcome in indoor miniature gardens as well. Its tiny dark green leaves will add shades of scarlet in the fall.

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.

Faerie Fern, Bronze

Leptinella perpusilla

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade
Height: 1in. 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

A bronze colored version which looks like it was the parent to ""Platt's Black"", although I'm just guessing. I like this softly shimmering, lighter color of bronze that shows up better against dark soil, than ""Platt's Black.

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.

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.

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.

Faery Money, Golden

Lysimachia japonica minutissima

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 inch
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Butterfly, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Walk About

Minutissima (in the botanical name) describes this dark green groundcover for the shade, precisely! Bright yellow flowers in late spring/early summer pop up between stepping stones, miniature landscapes, english troughs and, of course, faerie gardens. This is also one of the very best R X R groundcovers as it is hardy, spreads well, but will not take over the tracks.

Fern, Dwarf Lady's

Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 10in. x 10in. wide
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Borders, Miniature/Faery Garden, Shade

Faery gardens are not complete without true ferns. Little mounding rosettes of delicately cut, green foliage require the companionship of miniature hostas, primroses, and coral bells.

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.

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.

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.

Ficus, Tiny Limey

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. New grow is lime green maturing to dark green. 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.

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.

Ficus, Too Little 5 in+

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

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!

Ficus, Willow -Leaf 2 year

Ficus subulata (salicifolia)

Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade or Full Sun
Height: 3 x3 Feet
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, Houseplants, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

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.

Forsythia, Mini-Leaf 2 year+

Forsythia viridissima 'Klein'

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

So it's a dwarf mounding forsythia with golden flowers in the spring and often fall as well. Like most miniatures, it will slowly grow, this one reaching 2 or 3 feet tall, but you have plenty of years of miniature enjoyment before then.

Fuchsia, David

Fuchsia X 'David'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P. Shade – P. Sun
Height: 12h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Edible Flowers

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.

Fuchsia, Garden Hardy

Fuchsia richardii 'Cape Horn'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Sun-P.Shade to Shade
Height: 24in. x 24
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy

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!