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.

Hosta, Green Dagger

Hosta x 'Green Dagger'

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

“Green Dagger” is the masculine counterpart to “Feather Boa” hosta with a thicket of solid green, slightly rippled, foliage. It is the parent to many lanced shaped hostas.

Hosta, Itsy Bitsy Spider

Hosta x 'Itsy Bitsy Spider'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2in. x 4in. wide
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Ornamental, Shade

Hosta, Peanut

Hosta 'Peanut'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2in. x 4in. wide
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Ornamental, Shade

Relatively small yet this multi-variegated white, gold and green streaked variety perks up shaded pockets with purple scapes in July.

Hosta, Shiny Tot

Hosta x 'Shiny Penny'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2in. x 5in. wide
Water: Normal-Wet
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

I've not heard of a legend connected to this hosta, but perhaps you could bring one to life for a child about 'Shiny Penny.' Examine the glossy green leaves with red spots on the stems, note the 2"" height, witness how nicely it spreads along shady garden edges or troughs and a ""tiny tale"" might come to mind.

Hosta, Stilleto

Hosta x 'Stilleto'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P. Shade – P. Sun
Height: 4h x 9 w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini or Faery Gardens, Troughs

Put on the ritz in elegant, long, narrow green leaves and a rippled white margin beginning at the “ankle” to the tip of the “toes.”

Hosta, Tiny Venusta

Hosta venusta

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2in. x 4in. wide
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Ornamental, Shade

Solid green tufts of 2 inch long leaves cuddle at the base, from which arise 6 inch tall stalks of purple flowers in the summer. Tougher and faster growing than Cat's Eye and also requires extra summer watering. Suitable companion of Faerie Ferns, Star Creepers, and Pearly Wire Vine and other faerie flora. This is not for the Southwest.

Hosta, Tips for the South

For gardeners in the deep southern states, in November, cut back foliage to 1 inch. Dig up crowns. Pack the roots with peat moss & place in a plastic bag, leaving stems exposed. Place these in a refrigerator (fruit drawers are great) for 6-8 weeks. Replant as normal and enjoy

Hosta, X-Rated

Hosta 'X-Rated'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 4in. x 18in.
Water: Normal-Wet
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Add this long ""legged"" hosta to your collection of rounded leaves. 4"" x 1"" wide, rippled, white centered, green edged leaves put on a show all Summer climaxing with bright purple flowers in August. Sport of ""X-ray,"" by the way.

Houstonia - Bluets, Tiny

Houstonia serpyllifolia

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P. Shade – P. Sun
Height: 2h x 2w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

We've been building stock for years to make available this USA native miniature. We originally found this right here in Ohio. Two inch, delicate baby blue flowers brighten the shade (though it tolerates plenty of sun) in waves, that is, each blooming lasts about a month. If you deadhead, just sit back and wait for next wave. Sun or shade, cute as all get out - we can't grow enough of this perfect perennial.

Hutchinsia / Crystal Carpet

Hutchinsia alpina

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Sun - P. Sun
Height: 2h x 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Groundcover, Spiller

Often posed among stones, this European native could be called "alyssum of the mountains." The clue to siting it in the rock garden is revealed in the species name alpina. Tiny cut-leaved foliage makes this a great Thriller "shrub" under any mini tree.

Iberis- Candytuft, Snow Cushion

Iberis sempervirens 'Snow Cushion'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 12in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Perhaps our Creator took the perennial, Spring blooming Candytuft, stuck it in the dryer too long and pulled out this shrunken version a mere 2"" high and a foot in diameter. Distribute these white bloomers in front of Summer & Fall flowers for a full season of changing colors.

Iberis- Candytuft, Tiny

Iberis candolleana

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 4in. wide
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads,

Iberis- Candytuft, Tiny

Iberis candolleana

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

We grew these out from seed and selected the smallest, tightest ones in a quest for the world's smallest. Dozen of white petals with a touch of pink unite creating a sea of tiny umbrellas over green, low growing foliage.

Ice Plant, M & Mini Apricot

Delosperma rogersii 'Mulberry Mini Apricot'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3 x 6 inch spread
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Container, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden

We found this midget apricot version of ""Mini Yellow"" and now it's your's (well if you order it and send the bucks.) Apricot, star shaped flowers never seem to stop on this mounding succulent. Durable enough for alpine trough gardens because ""Jar Gems"" not only forgive you, they love neglect!

Ice Plant, M & Mini Purple

Delosperma rogersii 'Mulberry Mini Apricot' X D. eckloius 'P

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3 x 6 inch spread
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden

Chalk up another Mulberry Creek introduction. This one has the purple flowers of ""Palmiest Bridge"" with the compact, slightly fuzzy, succulent leaves of ""Mini Yellow"". Although these are not winter hardy for us, they flower all eyar around, through the long winter in the greenhouse and our home. Just fun!

Ice Plant, M & Mini Sunshine

Delosperma rogersii 'Mulberry Mini Sunshine'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3 x 6 inch spread
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

We selected this seedling because of its slighty larger and distinctly brighter yellow flowers than ""Ice Plant, Mini Yellow."" Same tight little mound with flowers that stop blooming only when it is overwatered. Sounds like a ""Jar Gem"" to me.

Ice Plant, M & Mini Wine

Delosperma rogersii 'Mulberry Mini Wine'.

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3 x 6 inch spread
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Chianti red flowers covering 2-3"" mounds distinguish this fine ""Ice Plant"" adaptable to a miniature garden, in ground, in container or in a hanging basket with other sun lovers. Here's an idea for a mini landscape: choose a tree (""Spicy Globe Basil""), a shrub (this plant & and ""Erodium""), a lawn interest (""Knawel Cushion"") and grass (""Blue Eyed Grass, Dwarf Purple or Yellow"").

Ice Plant, Tiny Pink

Delosperma sp. ex. Beaufort West

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2in. x 12
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Container, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

An outstanding addition to our non-stop blooming ""Mini Ice Plant"" collection is this baby pink delosperma from Michigan's Arrowhead Alpines. It is described as ""From the Niewveld Mountains outside Beaufort West"" (wherever that is). Root some pieces in the fall for indoor winter blooms and an insurance policy that you have it for next year.

Ice Plant, Tiny White

Delosperma aberdeenense 'Abbey Snow'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2in. x 12
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Fall to Late Spring to Late
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

In a strawberry jar, these pure white, all season flowers and succulent small leaves add balance and needed ""breath"" to bright, tropical combinations.

Ice Plant, Tropical Tequila Sunrise

Malephora crocea 'Tequila Sunrise'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 12in.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Either shock the neighbors with an outrageous pairing of their hot, orange-red flowers and ""Voodoo Sedum"" in a strawberry jar OR compile a sunny hanging basket with ""Trailing Yellow Ice Plants."" In any case, you've got color all Summer including their large, blue, thick needled succulent foliage.

Ice Plant, Tufted Fuchsia

Delosperma sphalmanthoides

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1in. x 8
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Baskets, , Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

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.

Ice Plant, Yellow Rosette

Delosperma basuticum (congestum Gold Nugget)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1in. x 8
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Alpine Rockery, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

This ranks second hardiest of our ""Ice Plants."" Large 1 inch yellow flowers in late spring/early summer bedeck the succulent, cylindrical, blue/green leaves. At home in our sloped rockgarden or at the edge of the miniature perennial border.

Inch Plant, Pink Buttons

Callisia repens 'Bianca'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P. Shade - P. Sun
Height: 2h x 5w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

Pea-sized pink, cream and green, oval leaves, like that of its cousin "Wandering Jew" create the quintessential hanging basket, provided bright light and moist soil. Perhaps it's easier to not let it dry out in a terrarium or tropical faery garden.

Indigofera, Creeping Blue

Indigofera pseudotinctoria

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 12
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads,