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

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

Ragged Robbin, Dwarf

Lychnis flos-cuculi 'Nana'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Shade to Sun-P.Shade
Height: 2in. x 4
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy
Flowers: Early Summer to Late Spring to Middle Spring
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

This Cicely Mary Barker faerie plant is a curious miniature with twisting, tough, shiny, dark green leaves that form a weird-looking, tight mound complete with bright pink, ragged edged flowers in spring. Lewis and Clark were intrigued by this too.

Repelant

Rhododendron, Karin Seleger

Rhododendron X 'Karin Seleger' (R.impeditum X )

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

Compactness and extreme hardiness are trademarks of this rhody thanks to "her" parents. As a treat, violet-purple flowers cover each mound early spring. (R.impeditum x R.dauricum)

Rhubarb, Red Stalked

Rheum rhabarbarum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 5 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary,

Ribbon Cutting September 28, 2024

Root Beer Plant

Piper auritum (santum)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9b-11
Light: Shade to P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: 3-20 Feet
Water: Wet
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Culinary, , Fragrant

Let us explain. This is not the source for a rootbeer float but the fragrance is similar. The 8-inch heart shaped leaves are used to wrap fish or pork in Mexican and Indian cooking. A customer of ours from Central America (see our Culantro entry) told us she uses it like tamales. So, I steamed a corn bread/ stuffing-for-peppers blend, wrapped with root beer leaves. We ate the sweet leaves and all! Imagine Mark coming into our kitchen at the end of a long day and smelling that! Remember to find a moist large spot for this novelty herb and it will grow up to 4-5 feet, in the first growing season.

ROSEMARY

If rosemary grows well for a couple it is said that the woman rules the household or is it the man? Never mind, this is how you keep a rosemary alive, indoors, in winter, which is exactly where it needs to be in the North. (Of our three entrees in the C

Rosemary, Arp

Rosmarinus officinalis `Arp'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Early SpringLate Winter
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal

Perhaps the hardiest of all varieties, however, our winter breezes are still too stiff. In the past, we wrote about it's rangey form, but frankly, this year it was thick & well branched. Go figure. If you're in zone 6 or warmer, it's worth a try outdoors in winter. Leaves & blooms enhance jams & orange sauce for poultry or lamb.

Rosemary, Arp 5in.+

Rosmarinus officinalis `Arp'

Rosemary, Baby P.J.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Baby P.J.'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 8 inch trailing
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Miniature/Faery Garden, , Topiary, , Jar Gem

To our knowledge, this is the smallest rosemary cultivar in the world. From H & H Botanicals in Michigan, this is a chance seedling of ""Blue Boy"" which is about 1/3 smaller than ""dad."" Incredibly small leaves and flowers, but still great to eat! Cute R Us!

Rosemary, Baby P.J.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Baby P.J.'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 6h X 12w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Bonsai, Culinary, Containers

Possibly the "World's Smallest" rosemary is back. Exhibits tiny, needle leaves and compact growth for any dish garden or bonsai, yet it provides plenty of new shoots for cooking.

Rosemary, Creeping

Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet trailing
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Baskets, , Container, , Culinary, , Garden Railroads, Medicinal, , Topiary

This creeping variety has made a name for itself as the container rosemary. It looks natural in hypertufa containers & hanging baskets, & easily wraps around circular wire frames for victorian centerpieces. Fresh rosemary for Thanksgiving turkey, plucked from your table- impressive!

Rosemary, Focaccia with Olive Oil

serves 8

1 pkg. yeast
2 tsp. garlic, minced
1 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. warm water
1/2 tsp. pepper, fresh ground
4 c. unbleached flour
2 T. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
6 T. fresh sage, finely chopped (OR LESS)

In a large mixing bowl or heavy duty mixer, combine the yeast, sugar, water and 1/2 c. of the flour. Mix well. Let the yeast “proof” (let sit) for 5 minutes. Add the olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, herbs and remaining 3-1/2 c. flour. Work ingredients together until dough is smooth & firm. Cover dough. Let rise in a warm place, until doubled, about 1-1/2 hrs.

Punch the dough down, knead it a few times into a smooth ball and then stretch it out on a very well oiled, large baking sheet. Drizzle a generous amount of the olive oil over the dough. Work the dough with the tips of your fingers to make dimples all over the surface. Cover the baking sheet loosely with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise again until it has doubled in size or about 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 5 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30 minutes. Dip ripped pieces of focaccia in olive oil infused with “Italian herbs” (like dried oregano, chile peppers, onion & garlic granules, basil, marjoram, savory and thyme)

Rosemary, Golden Rain

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Joyce DeBaggio'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Foot
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Container, , Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

""Thanks for the Memories""Attractive chartreuse and green striped leaves with subtle, lemony flavor, adorn this stocky upright rosemary. Variegation is most prominent in cooler weather and is gorgeous with blue buds. Mark's favorite variety for container growing, as it appears as a mini alpine tree. Named for Tom DeBaggio's wife, Joyce. Along with bay, rosemary is my favorite Christmas herb.

Rosemary, Gorizia

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Gorizia'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4 - 5 feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

""Thanks for the Memories""We call it Godzilla. Tom DeBaggio found it from Gorizia, Italy. Huge broad leaves are twice the size of ""Garden Rosemary"". Light blue flowers in spring-summer are also larger than other rosemaries. DeBaggios describe flavor as ""gentle, sweet and a bit gingery."" Tempura anyone? Mark is using this variety for a 3 foot tall, triple spiral standard topiary. In just 3 years, it's finished!

Rosemary, Herb Cottage

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Herb Cottage'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Bonsai, , Culinary, , Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden, Medicinal, , Topiary

When I escape the winter blues and enter our greenhouse, the fluorescent bright blue flowers on 'Herb Cottage' take my breath away. It's a solid well branched selection just jammed with leaves. Excellent for bonsai and topiaries. Formerly listed as 'Salem'

Rosemary, Herb Cottage 2 Year Old

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Herb Cottage'

Rosemary, Hill Hardy

Rosmarinus officinalis `Madalene Hill'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

""Thanks for the Memories""Madeleine Hill did not introduce this hardy variety (she introduced 'Arp'), rather it was named in her honor, by Tom DeBaggio. Long ago we were impressed with it's healthy and hardy growth habit. Not hardy in our open fields, but then all hardy rosemaries have a difficult time overwintering here. Plant against a south wall and protect from brisk winds with something transparent (not mulch!). A well drained, gravelly soil is also critical to prevent spring root rots.

Rosemary, Ingram

Rosmarinus officinalis `Collingwood Ingramii'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

Ingram is a very fast grower increasing up to 1-1/2 feet in a single year! Small plants start with upright growth and continue growing until they become heavy. they develop a prostrate posture making long stems perfect for Shish-ka-bobs. Darkest blue flowers.

Rosemary, Large-creeping

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Hungington Carpet'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet trailing
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

This is the largest creeping variety we offer. Prostrate varieties flower in winter with a similarr beautiful blue color. Because it is practically identical to 'Lockewood de Forest', we have dropped that cultivar.

Rosemary, Pink Flowering

Rosmarinus officinalis `Majorica Pink'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal

Pink flowers distinguish this strong, upright, short needled variety. Doesn't branch well, but reaches amazing heights in one season. Another companion for the grill with long stems for Shish-ka-bobs. Mark trained one into a 4 foot Christmas tree in just 3 years. Summer pruning promotes better branching.

Rosemary, Tuscan Blue

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4 - 5 feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

This rosemary always looks healthy! Is it it's broad leaves like 'Gorizia' but shinier and a bit smaller? Or is it the tall columnar form, reminiscent of an ""Irish Yew?"" It grows better than 7 feet in Zones 7-10. Best of all, I like it's fresh, Christmas scent.

Rosemary, White-flowering

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Nancy Howard'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun
Height: 2-3 Foot trailing
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Topiary

The unique white flowers that cover this masterpiece in late summer, early fall add to the legend of how Mary layed her cloak on a rosemary while escaping to Egypt, turning the white to blue. Was this that white shrub? Balanced rosemary flavor. Hardier variety to below 0 degree F.

Rue, Blue Mound

Ruta graveolens `Blue Mound'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Butterfly, Fragrant, Garden Railroads, Ornamental

The dwarf mounding habit of this ancient herb makes an excellent mate with roses, in groups of 7 or more. The semi-evergreen blue foliage contrasts well with almost any perennial, especially roses & yellow conifers for a winter color display. Rue's foliage, sunlight & skin MAY result in skin rashes. Please don't eat it.

Rue, Herb Of Grace

Ruta graveolens

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Butterfly, Fragrant, Garden Railroads, Ornamental

Chartreuse, star shaped flower clusters, bloom all summer contrasting with blue foliage. Its strong antiseptic foliage was credited for stopping plagues and the inspiration for ""clubs"" on a deck of cards. Can reseed itself with abandon. Rue's foliage, sunlight and skin may result in skin rashes. Please don't eat it.

RXR Solution

Remember to use plastic lawn edging along sections of railroad track to prevent root creeping ground covers from invading tracks. This will elimate the need to use herbicides.

DON JACOBSEN’S FAMOUS HERB BUTTER RAVIOLI

1 stick of butter about 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1 package of cheese ravioli 1 tablespoon fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried 1 tablespoon fresh parsley 1/2 cup tomatoes cut into chunks 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried salt and pepper to taste

Combine butter, oil, herbs, Parmesan cheese and herbs by using a hand mixer or you can do it by hand. Boil ravioli and drain. Add herb butter and mix to melt. Top with tomatoes, extra Parmesan cheese and extra parsley. Drizzle with olive oil. Can substitute grape tomatoes for chopped ones.