Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

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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.