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

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

Papaya, Dwarf Waimanalo 5" pots

Carica papaya

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun - P. Sun
Height: 3 x 6 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary Fruit

Produces sweet, slightly acidic, melon textured, yellow and orange fruit when it's only 4-5 feet. These 2 year olds may attain that by Christmas given enough warmth, sun and good drainage outdoors and an indoor winter home. We grow it for the fancy foliage because honestly, papayas are dioecious, that is, male and female parts are on different plants, though some can produce fruit with just one plant. Since we don't know the sex until they flower, and they may or may not need a partner, I suggest you just enjoy its beauty and hope for the fruit!

Parsley, Italian Flat-leaf

Petroselium crispum `Gigante D' Italia'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses:Butterfly, Container, Culinary

The plant isn’t gigantic but the thick, juicy leaves are full of flavor. I used to think there weren’t big differences in parsley flavor. Can be a culinary band-aid if too much sage, garlic (is that possible?) or hot peppers are used. Rich in Vitamin A, C, iron, and magnesium.

Parsley, Triple Curled

Petroselium crispum `Krausa'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses:Butterfly, Container, Garden Railroads, Culinary

Parsley update: some curled varieties now have flavor, as well as good looks and breath cleansing qualities. Mark demands this variety. Best used fresh but frozen works. (See our Basil Intro. for freezing information.) Goes with anything short of sweets but, dried parsley?- forget it!

Patchouli

Pogostemon patchouli

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to P. Shade
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Bees, , Potpourri

Easy to grow houseplant in baskets or in the garden, just give it room. Scallop edged leaves are collected, then dried for potpourris. Bring into house before first frost and watch the flower clusters come out, knowing they will rob the leaf scent. To prevent “Patchouli” from flowering, it must have 12 hours of light. Grown commercially for oil in perfumes & incense. Groovy!

Paxistigma, Tiny Holly

Paxistigma cambyi 'Compacta'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Shade to Full Sun Only
Height: 6in. x 12
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bonsai, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

Raisin-sized holly-like evergreen leaves, packed on a 6"" tall and twice as wide plant. Perfect RXR shrub in hillside planting as its' spreading stems will help hold up the soil. Tough little grower, as long as it has well drained soil.

Pelargonium, Kilamangaro

Pelargonium laxum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 24in. x 6
Water: Normal-Dry dormancy
Soil: Sandy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM,

Penstemon, Alpine Blue

Penstemon hirsutus `Pygmaeus'

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

Pot up patriotic centerpieces with these short mounds of dark green leaves and white-n-violet flowers tinged with blue, usually in bloom by the 4th of July. Unlike some other Penstemons, this is long lived and very easy to grow.

Peperomia, Mini String-of-Heart

Peperomia prostrata

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

I call this the "Peace" plant because the light green etching over the 1/4 inch, medium green, oval leaves roughly resembles a peace sign. Its creeping, compact foliage loves to crawl all over a terrarium floor given enough light and humidity.

Peperomia, Pixie

Peperomia meridana 'Pixie'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 3 x 3 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Shrub

Under plants for terrariums and "Wardian Cases," you'll find this houseplant, a.k.a. "Crazy Quilt Peperomia." Reddish stems balance whorls of glossy, sunken veined, rich green foliage that is stacked tightly like shingles. Very tight compact shrub for faery garsdens

Peppers

Pilea, Trailing Blue Angel

Pilea sp.

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

Blue with silver streaked leaves is an uncommon find. Tiny, rust red flowers accentuate its pea sized foliage especially as it trails down the sides of tropical, shade, faery gardens. Perhaps you need a fast perennial groundcover (hardy in Southern Florida and warmer). Treat as an annual in most of US. Easily trimmed & controlled.

Plectranthus, Ernsts Baobab

Plectranthus ernstii

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 16in. x 16
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Bonsai, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

That's not for sale."" We must have told 1,000 customers when they asked about our 6 year old ""Ernsts Baobab."" Yes, it bloomed all season with delicate white, snowflake flowers in 2"" clusters on top of fleshy, scalloped shaped, minty leaves, but the real eye-catcher is the large swollen tree truck at its base. It really looks like one of those African ""Baobab"" trees that gets all the monkeys & warthogs drunk in the nature films. Now these are for sale.

Plectranthus, Ernsts Baobab 5 in.

Plectranthus ernstii

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 16in. x 16
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Bonsai, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

Pomegranate, Dwarf

Punica granatum "Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun - P. Shade
Height: 12 x 12 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Bonsai

Bonsai enthusiast love the twisting trunks of this South Asian native that are conducive to that ancient, gnarly form. Brillant orange fruits are encouraged by a bit of shade, dry soil and a slightly root bound state. Once fruit buds are set, then you can move it to more sun with protection from winds and frost. From that point, it likes water and a slightly acid soil. Prune gently as the branches are brittle.

Portulacaria, Mini Elephant

Portulacaria afra

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

Compared to the ""Mini Variegated Portulacaria"" this clearly grows more erect and of course has solid green, succulent foliage. This is the better choice for dwarf trees. I suggest you add any ""Haworthia,"" a groundcover of ""Knawel Cushion"" and a ""Sweet Flag"" and you've got a sunny, tropical garden for indoors and out.

Portulacaria, Mini Elephant 5 in.

Portulacaria afra

Portulacaria, Mini Variegated

Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 3 x 3 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:, Alpine Rockery, Baskets, Garden Railroads, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Topiary

Start with a red stemmed ""Jade Tree"" and substitute the foliage with creamy white edged leaves that look like large, flattened peas studded all around the red stems. Really colorful succulent, that takes on the tree position in a dish garden.

Pot, Clay Small -1 Half Inch

Common Uses:Miniature/Faery Garden

Primrose, Cowslip

Primula veris

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P.Shade-Shade to Shade
Height: 3in. x 4
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Spring to Late Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Bedding Plant, Container, Groundcover, Medicinal, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

An English native full of myth, folklore and medicinal tradition with a rosette of dark green leaves look similar to florist primrose, but the yellow flower cluster is born on the end of an 8"" stalk. We apply mulch over soil to retain moisture.

Primrose, Gold Lace

Primula elatior-Hydrid 'Gold Lace'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P.Shade-Shade to Shade
Height: 3in. x 4
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Spring to Late Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Bedding Plant, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

This is the antique variety from England that so long ago inspired the ""Primrose Fairie"" by Cicely M. Barker. The dark red flowers have a beautiful golden, picotee (outside) edge to all the petals. Faeries are shy, but you know they'll appreciate it.

Primrose, Wanda

Primula X juliae

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P.Shade-Shade to Shade
Height: 2in. x 4
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic
Flowers: Early Spring to Late Spring to Late Winter to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Bedding Plant, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Shade

'Wanda' is among the first flowers of spring, exploding with a fuchsia fury. It is the perfect companion with daffodils, keeping them company their entire blooming season! We consider it the toughest, hardiest primrose there is, by its behavior in our open fields. Don't have large shady areas? Just plant it on the north side of any shrub and divide clumps every year after flowers have finish.

Privet, Mini Yellow

Lonicera nitida 'Baggescen's Gold'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 3 x 3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy Sandy
Flowers: No
Common Uses:Bonsai, Garden Railroads, Hedges/Shrubs, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental, Topiary

One look at this small sized privet and I imagine an English hedge outlining a slighty shaded faery garden. 3/8"" golden-yellow leaves share space on this very branchy plant. Although it can grow to 3 feet, it does so slowly and is easily pruned. Use as a bonsai, shrub, small tree in railroad gardens or around a down-sized, backyard cloister garden.

Privet, Mini Yellow Topiary

Lonicera nitida 'Baggescen's Gold'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to P.Shade
Height: 3 x 3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy Sandy
Common Uses:Garden Railroads,

Putatoria, Pink Trumpet Bush

Putatoria calibrica

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 4in. x 12in. wide
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Container, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

It looks like it can endure the intense heat of its native Mediterranean but NOT the extreme cold of an Ohio Winter. Tight clusters of loud, pink trumpets dominate over this low, spreading green shrub, Spring through Summer.

PAUL DECKER, bonsai artist, pruning specialist

As a young boy, growing up in a rural area, one of my daily chores in the summer was to help weed and cultivate what I thought was the largest garden in the whole neighborhood. If I had any spare time, I had to help mom weed the flower beds. Because of these duties, I really never enjoyed the garden or the produce as a child. It wasn’t until I married and had our first home, garden, and flower beds, that I learned to enjoy the outdoors. I took pride in our lawn and the wife’s flower beds. At the age of 40, I attended a silent auction to raise money for the local high school athletic association. In that auction, was what soon became my first of many Bonsais. That was 1985. This led to my joining the local Bonsai club, and after some time, I served as president for 10 years. I retired in 2007 and have greatly enjoyed my yard, flower beds and, of course, my collection of Bonsai. I eventually began working at Mulberry Creek Herb Farm and have enjoyed becoming one of their regular volunteers. Yet to this day, it is still very satisfying to see God’s gifts to us grow and become food to eat or plants that grow into nature’s products of beauty.

PAUL DECKER’S NEVER FAIL PRIME RIB

As a result of the things we grow at Mulberry Creek, it is easy to create recipes for your friends and families.

DRY RUB: 1/3 cup salt 3 teaspoons dry mustard 4 teaspoons fresh ground pepper 1 fresh garlic, minced 1-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon onion powder 2 teaspoons dried thyme 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons dried coriander

Allow your roast to stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Season the roast with the dry rub and place in a shallow roasting pan. Do not cover or add water. Put roast in oven and bake for only 1 hour. Turn off oven, but do not open the door at any time until ready to serve. Regardless of the size of the roast, or the length of time the roast has been in the oven, turn oven back on at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes before serving time. Let roast stand for 10 to 15 minutes before carving. The meat will be brown and crisp on the outside, pink and juicy on the inside. Garnish with parsley.