Mulberry Creek Herb Farm

Lavender, Hidcote Type

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' Type


This very dwarf cultivar (shorter than 'Munstead') with dark blue/purple flower spikes, upscales any container, border, or hedge. Along with cooking, it's also terrific in potpourris where only buds are desired. Intentionally selected and grown from cuttings, for finest plants.

Lavender, Karen Langan

Lavandula angustifolia `Munstead-type'
We selected from our “Munstead” seedlings the one plant that had the darkest blue flower buds, most silvery foliage & repeat flowered in the fall. Seed grown varieties vary in all those features. Finally, Mark named this variety after Karen for having put up with me for all these years. Believe me, this is the least she deseves it!

Harvest stalks before first flowers open. Use fresh or dried for arrangements, tussie-mussies, and wands. This is the very best lavender for long hedges and general landscaping.

Lavender, Melissa Pink

Lavandula angustifolia 'Melissa'


Horticulturists are always looking for colors that aren't ""normal"" for the species and we love contradictions like this PINK LAVENDER. White and flower stalks bloom from June through July for a delicate fragrant summer performance. Use like the other ""normal"" lavenders.

Lavender, Seal Seven Oaks

Lavandula angustifolia 'Seal Seven Oaks'


Lavender is so easy on the eye and disposition, why not extend the season? ‘Seal Seven Oaks’ bloom about 2 weeks earlier than other cultivars with light purple and violet clusters of flowers on long stalks.

Lavender, Twickel Purple

Lavandula angustifolia 'Twickel Purple'


Among the many lavenders, ""Twickel Purple"" distinguishes itself in its growth habit. Two foot stems fan out around the plant culminating in narrow, dark purple-violet spikes above.

Lemon Balm, Golden

Melissa officinalis `Aurea'


Golden is a compact, gilded leaf version of the species. Matures to green but is very ornamental, nonetheless and it'll come up golden again the following spring. Makes a great lemonade! Not as aggressively self-sowing as regular ""Lemon Balm"".

Lemon Balm, Improved

Melissa officinalis 'Quedlinburger'


Higher oil content and hardier than species, so use it abundantly, fresh or frozen, in summer sun teas, soups and fish. As flowers appear in summer, cut back 1/2 and use, to avoid self sowing seed. This is an herb that encourages you to use it!

Lemon Balm, Improved

Melissa officinalis 'Quedlinburger Niederliegende'
Lemon Balms are often creeping the first year then upright in growth habit, the second as in the case of this improved variety. The “upgrade” is in heavier yields and intense lemon aroma. Tea anyone?

Lemon Balm, Lemona

Melissa officinalis 'Lemona'
We shall test this variety, flown in from Germany, to see if it has a deeper lemon flavor than our standard variety. I'll have to test it in fruit salad, lemon curd, and lemonade. As they say, “It's a tough job...”

Lemon Balm, Lime

Melissa officinalis ‘Lime’


Offered with honesty, this variety is mildly ""lime scented."" We offer in hopes that some breeder can multiply this subtle flavor and introduce a powerful lime flavored variety.

Lemon Balm, Lime

Melissa officinalis ssp. Altissima
Lemon and lime balms have tiny, whitish flowers which go unnoticed thanks to the euphoric citrus fumes that rise up with just a brush of your hand or the lawn mower. Whatever recipe you'd add the lime fruit to, substitute it for this foliage or better yet, add it. The fruit and this foliage add a depth that is synergistic.

Lemon Balm, Seed-free

Melissa officinalis `Sterile'


Check off another plant from Mark's wish list. When he saw it featured in Herb Companion magazine, awhile ago, he went on the hunt. Not only will this not make seeds that spread flamboyantly, but it is also a compact, mounding variety. Victory, at last!

Lemon Balm, Variegated

Melissa officinalis `Variegata'


A shorter version of the species with splashes of bright yellow, mixed randomly, on spring leaves which matures to green as summer heats up. The following spring, it will emerge with splashes again.

Lemon Verbena

Aloysia citriodora (A. triphylla)


Bright green elliptical leaves give off the most scintillating lemon flavor in fruit salad, cake and sorbets. Difficult to overwinter, but summer's growth provides enough to freeze or dry for tea and winter treats. For the winter gardener, we recommend allowing it to receive 1-2 frost to kill leaves before bringing in for the winter & starting new. This will leave any spider mites, whitefly or aphids outside!

Mint, Apple

Mentha suaveolens


Fluffy, upright posture with almost dusty green foliage clumsily describes this mildly apple scented mint. I most often use the soft, prickly leaves in my herb infused water, lemonade or tea (hot or cold).

Mint, Chocolate

Mentha piperata 'Chocolate'


When I eat a mint chocolate leaf, I get the sensation of a ""Peppermint Patty"" flavor. Imagine this dark leaved variety in brownies, ""Mud Cakes"", or, (Mark's favorite) morning coffee for a minty, chocolate flavor without the typical artificial after-taste. Squeeze and swirl it in hot coffee. Couldn't be easier.

Mint, Curly Spearmint

Mentha spicata `Crispa'


A novelty spearmint variety with ruffled curly edges and a fresh, mild flavor for peas. This is the prettiest green leaf mint, in my opinion. Do NOT cram it in a corner as it's slightly susceptible to rust disease. With air movement, it's no problem.

Mint, English Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium
This low groundcover Pennyroyal variety repels fleas and is wonderfully fragrant. Rub fresh leaves on pant legs before entering woods, to repel ticks and mosquitoes. Plant next to kennels or by paths where cats prowl. It seems to be hardier mixed in lawns. 4"" tall blue flower spikes bloom in summer. Avoid ingestion if pregnant! Don't use the essential oil of Pennyroyal on pets. Only use leaves.

Mint, Habek

Mentha longifolia


This is one of the true Middle East varieties used for the authentic ""Tabbouli"" of bulgar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, plenty of parsley & mint, cool vegetables and maybe sunflower seeds. Two inch, very narrow, bluish-green leaves have a completely different look from other mints.

Mint, Kentucky Colonel Spearmint

Mentha spicata`Kentucky Colonel'


This is our favorite spearmint, flavor-wise. It has a truly sweet flavor added to cookies, tea, jellies, beef, lamb, peas or corn. We use it frequently during the flu season. Makes a cool rejuvenating bath too. Known possibly in the trade as ""The Best

Mint, Peppermint

Mentha piperata


Peppermint's versatility and ease in growing make it the perfect beginner's herb. Smooth edged, shiny, dark green leaves are indispensable for teas, candies, and flavored sugar. Use dried in teas for stuffy noses, indigestion and mild headaches.

Mitchella / Patridge Berry

Mitchella repens
Squaw vine, its common name is what drew us to this medicinal miniature resembling a mini vinca vine. Native American women made a tea from the slightly evergreen flavored leaves and berries during childbirth. The shiny, dark evergreen foliage and white flowers are nice but it's the red berries that really show up in a shady garden or even a terrarium.

Oregano, Chef’s Greek

Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum


Don't confuse this one with the purple flowered ornamental oregano. This one is for cooking. It's still a vigorous grower, which will form 3-4' clumps, so give it room to grow. Harvest frequently. Sprinkle flowers or leaves over pizza, spaghetti, heavy meats or stews, venison, and other ""manly"" fare.

Oregano, Dittany of Crete

Origanum dictamnus


Gray-white, round fuzzy leaves & reddish-pink, hop-like flower heads are a fine match. Most people don't realize it's an oregano. It's a natural in hanging baskets, strawberry jars, and other mixed containers. Herb of Fertility: So, here you go grandma wanna-bees.

Primrose, Cowslip

Primula veris


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.