Mulberry Creek Herb Farm

Agastache, Sunset or Rootbeer Hyssop

Agastache rupestris
We first saw this delicate, cool summer beauty in Seattle labeled ""Root Beer Plant. This caught our attention, as we have the same common name on a different plant. While not as strongly scented as our Root Beer Plant (Piper auritum), it's fragrance lingers all summer from apricot-pink flowers hovering above finely cut gray foliage. Has definite tea possibilities.

Butterflyweed \ Pleurisy Root

Asclepias tuberosa
One of the most important plants you can buy to help save the Monarch Butterfly and give yourself a beautiful, bright orange, hardy perennial simultaneously. The dried powdered roots can be decocted to make a powerful expectorant and when combined with Angelica archangelica was used to treat Pleurisy. Once established, it will not transplant well.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria
Since this is the original ""6-Pack of beer"" for cats, protect new plantings until established. For humans, a medicinal tea is made from 2 tsp. dried catnip per 1 cup of water to aid in sleeping, colds and fevers. Flavor with honey or stevia. Remove flower heads before they mature to prevent self-sowing, unless you desire it for the entire neighborhood.

Chives, Onion/Garden, Seed-free

Allium schoenoprasum
Carefree, seed-free, just not free. Looks and tastes exactly like Garden Chives"", but will not form any viable seed. Wake Up! That means it will not take over the yard, while you're on vacation, if you forget to remove seed heads. It also blooms about 6 weeks longer since it's not ""worried about the kids"".

Elderberry, Black

Sambucus canadensis
This hardy small tree is loaded with 5"" white flower clusters in early summer which turn into small black tasty berries, rich in Vitamin C and used to make wine, jelly, and pies. Flowers can be used in a tea for colds, as a face wash, or battered and deep fried. Leaves can comfort minor bruises. Berries are best in pies (See our recipe) and immune building syrups, especially safe for children. The prime component of ""Sambucol"" (childrens' syrup) sold in health food stores.

Hops, Golden

Humulus lupulus `Aureus'
CAN NOT SHIP TO WASHINGTON STATE.Young golden leaves mature to dark green, giving a two-tone appearance. Tiny hop blossoms are used for sleep pillows and pilsner-style beers. Site in afternoon shade to prevent sun scald. It forms into a thick climber hiding chain link fences. ‘Munstead Lavender, Dazzling Pink Chives and Golden Hops” created our most vivid trio of all.

Hops, Golden 2year

Humulus lupulus `Aureus'
CAN NOT SHIP TO WASHINGTON STATE.Young golden leaves mature to dark green, giving a two-tone appearance. Tiny hop blossoms are used for sleep pillows and pilsner-style beers. Site in afternoon shade to prevent sun scald. It forms into a thick climber hiding chain link fences. ‘Munstead Lavender, Dazzling Pink Chives and Golden Hops” created our most vivid trio of all.

Hops, Golden 2year

Humulus lupulus `Aureus'
CAN NOT SHIP TO WASHINGTON STATE.Young golden leaves mature to dark green, giving a two-tone appearance. Tiny hop blossoms are used for sleep pillows and pilsner-style beers. Site in afternoon shade to prevent sun scald. It forms into a thick climber hiding chain link fences. ‘Munstead Lavender, Dazzling Pink Chives and Golden Hops” created our most vivid trio of all.

Arenaria, Micro Lawn

Arenaria balearica
Rivals only ""True Elfin Thyme"" for the tightest, lowest, most micro-leaved groundcover we've spyed. Perfect ""Walk-About"" for those too sunny OR not sunny enough pathways. Because it needs good drainage and frequent water, it is the ideal lawn for mini landscapes and railroad gardens. Thyme-sized, white flowers decorate the foliage like frosting buds on a cake.

Catsfoot - Pussytoes, Pink

Antennaria diocica
A dwarf version of this popular (if not policially incorrect name) plant. Felted gray, spreading mat, grew beautifully last year along our ""Walk-About"" path, despite the humidity. Tiny pink clusters in summer.

Catsfoot - Pussytoes, Red

Antennaria dioica 'Rubra'
A dwarf version of this popular (if not policially incorrect name) plant. Felted gray, spreading mat, grew beautifully last year along our ""Walk-About"" path, despite the humidity. This one has dark pink/red flower buds

Columbine, Faerie

Aquilegia flabellata 'Cameo'
Like ""Little Lanterns Columbine"", the flowers are almost standard sized, however, the height is shrunk to about 3"" tall, one of the smallest known cultivars. This is a mixture of different flower colors, that rise no more than 3 or 4 inches and will slowly re-seed themselves around the garden. As columbines go, these are long lived and cute!

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.

Faerie Fern, Bronze

Leptinella perpusilla
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, Tiny Tim

Letinella (Cotula) gruveri
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.

Aeonium, Irish Eyes

Aeonium sedifolium
This miniature rosette ""Aeonium"" of bright green foliage can be a favorite on next year's St. Patrick's Day. Because of its thumb-sized rosettes on 4"" woody stem, it makes a no hassle ""Jar Gem"" as well as a tree in miniature desert landscapes.

Basil, African Blue, Variegated

Ocimum X `Variegated African Blue'
Claude Monet might have wept upon seeing its pastel presentation of white, lime, and dark green leaves. Almost as vigorous growth as ""African Blue"" with slighty milder flavor. Breathtaking in the herb garden. Don't assume, you'll feel the same way about it on your plate. We received this marvelous mutation from Scott Kresge (Emily Mae Garden Shop in Pen Argyl, PA). Thank you, Scott!

Basil, Aussie Sweetie

Ocimum x citriodora 'Aussie Sweetie'
""Thanks for the Memories""For those of you who don't read the cultural requirements below, this one gets 3-4 feet tall! Susan describes it as ""One of the most complex basil aromas and the strongest. The first sniff is loaded with cinnamon & has the background of allspice and cloves. Pumpkin Pie spice comes to mind."" And may we add it's just as good in a Cincinnati style spagetti sauce. Identical to Richters' ""Lesbos Basil"".

Basil, Rick’s Aussie Purple

Ocimum x citriodora
New in 2006
Wavy, wine colored foliage much like 'Ebony Wonder' meets the tall columnar growth of 'Aussie Sweetie'. This will be Mark's 2006 topiary project, which, if half as pretty as 'Ausie Sweetie' topiaries, will surely grace many church weddings and elegant reception halls!

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, 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.

Curry Plant, Dwarf

Helichrysum italicum microphyllum
A true miniature form of ""Curry Plant"", which is perfect for miniature container gardens, bonsai, and rockeries. Tiny, short needled leaves are easily pruned into mini hedges. Know someone with an outdoor model railroad? What a darling, fragrant addition!