{"title":"Tea Plants","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"caroline-raspberry","title":"'Caroline' Raspberry- 2gal.","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘Caroline' is a popular cultivar renowned for its exceptional flavor and outstanding productivity. It is widely considered an upgrade over the industry-standard 'Heritage' variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e•    Flavor: Exceptional sweetness with a rich, intense, full-bodied raspberry flavor.\u003cbr\u003e•    Size \u0026amp; Texture: Produces large, firm, and juicy berries.\u003cbr\u003e•    Uses: Highly valued for fresh eating, freezing, and processing into jams, jellies, sauces, or desserts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowth \u0026amp; Harvest\u003cbr\u003e•    Fruiting Type: An everbearing (primocane-fruiting) variety. It yields fruit on first-year canes in late summer through autumn, and can yield a second crop on second-year canes (floricanes) the following July.\u003cbr\u003e•    Long Harvest Window: Ripens 1 to 3 weeks earlier than older standard varieties, often producing fruit for 6 to 8 weeks continuously until the first heavy frost.\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollination: Self-fertile\/self-pollinating variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight Requirements\u003cbr\u003e•    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) to partial shade (2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight part of the day).\u003cbr\u003e•    \u003cbr\u003eSoil Preference\u003cbr\u003e•    Must have good drainage.\u003cbr\u003e•    Thrives in an acidic pH (\u0026lt; 6.0) environment.\u003cbr\u003e•    Adaptable to multiple textures including clay, high organic matter, loam (silt), and sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWildlife Benefit\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator Forage: The spring and summer flower clusters strongly attract bees, butterflies, and other native pollinators for nectar.\u003cbr\u003e•    Ecosystem Food Source: The sweet aggregate drupe fruits are heavily consumed by songbirds and small mammals.\u003cbr\u003e•    Wildlife Cover: The thick, arching bramble growth form provides excellent protective wildlife cover and habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman Uses\u003cbr\u003e•    Edible Crops: Fruits can be eaten raw, cooked, or processed into pies, preserves, and wines.\u003cbr\u003e•    Herbal Teas: Dried leaves are brewed into a medicinal herbal tea that some utilize as a coffee substitute.\u003cbr\u003e•    Crafts \u0026amp; Manufacturing: Cultivated as a natural dye plant.\u003cbr\u003e•    Landscape Design: Grown on trellises or vertical spaces in edible, butterfly, children's, and pollinator gardens. It can also be massed to form a protective barrier, screen, or privacy hedge due to its prickles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResistance to Challenges\u003cbr\u003e•    Disease Tolerance: Exhibits excellent tolerance to Phytophthora root rot and a high resistance to gray mold (Botrytis).\u003cbr\u003e•    Climate Hardiness: Broadly adaptable across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. It is uniquely well-suited for warmer Southern climates where it can begin ripening as early as June.\u003cbr\u003e•    Foraging Mammals: Features a recorded resistance to damage from browsing deer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thistlebird Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48916977123571,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/files\/CarolineRaspberry-1.jpg?v=1786445325"},{"product_id":"spotted-horsemint","title":"Spotted Horsemint","description":"\u003cp\u003eLight Requirements\u003cbr\u003e•    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) to partial shade (2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight part of the day).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoil Preference\u003cbr\u003e•    Thrives in loam (silt) and sand soil textures, including dunes and sandy areas.\u003cbr\u003e•    Requires good drainage; it prefers moist soil but adapts well to poor soil and occasionally dry locations.\u003cbr\u003e•    Can also handle wet soil parameters, making it versatile enough for rain garden edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWildlife Benefit\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator Powerhouse: Visually striking flower whorls are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, wasps, hover flies, and hummingbirds.\u003cbr\u003e•    Specialized Native Bee Support: Generates targeted nutrition that supports specialized bee species: Dufourea monardae, Perdita gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis.\u003cbr\u003e•    Larval Host: Acts as a host plant for the caterpillars of the Gray Marvel moth (Anterastria teratophora) and Snout moths (Pyrausta generosa and P. signatalis).\u003cbr\u003e•    Avian Value: An Audubon-recognized ecosystem addition that attracts songbirds and supports beneficial\/predatory insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman Uses\u003cbr\u003e•    Landscape \u0026amp; Theme Design: Excellent for borders, mass plantings, and containers in pollinator, butterfly, rain, cottage, meadow, herb, or night gardens.\u003cbr\u003e•    Ethnobotanical Tea: The leaves are fragrant (smelling distinctly of Greek oregano) and can be harvested for brewing herbal teas.\u003cbr\u003e•    Floral Arrangements: Unique, stacked rosettes of purple-speckled flowers and pinkish bracts function beautifully as long-lasting cut flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResistance to Challenges\u003cbr\u003e•    Foraging Mammals: Highly resistant to browsing damage by deer and rabbits.\u003cbr\u003e•    Environmental Pressures: Displays high drought tolerance and serves as a highly beneficial, resilient choice for coastal or dune conditions. It is also generally resistant to structural damage from insect pests.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thistlebird Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48917068710131,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/files\/SpottedHorsemint-1.jpg?v=1786388257"},{"product_id":"wild-bergamot-1-quart","title":"Wild Bergamot— 1 Quart","description":"\u003cp\u003eLight Requirements\u003cbr\u003e•    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) is preferred.\u003cbr\u003e•    Tolerates partial shade (2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight part of the day).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoil Preference\u003cbr\u003e•    Performs best in moderately moist soils with good drainage\u003cbr\u003e•    Highly adaptable to clay, dry soils, and shallow-rocky soils.\u003cbr\u003e•    Naturally handles occasionally dry soil conditions, though moisture stress leaves it vulnerable to disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWildlife Benefit\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator Magnet: Strongly attracts bees, butterflies, and moths; Ruby-throated hummingbirds actively visit the blooms for nectar.\u003cbr\u003e•    Specialized Bee Support: Supports specialized native bee species including Dufourea monardae, Perdita gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis.\u003cbr\u003e•    Nesting Habitat: Native bees utilize the dead, hollow stems to nest. Gardeners are advised to leave them standing at 12 to 24 inches high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman Uses\u003cbr\u003e•    Edible \u0026amp; Tea: The aromatic, grayish-green leaves are edible and commonly harvested to make teas.\u003cbr\u003e•    Landscape Design: Adds summer color and texture as a border plant in butterfly, native, pollinator, rain, and herb gardens, or naturalized meadows.\u003cbr\u003e•    Cut Flowers: Offers fragrant, showy terminal clusters that make excellent cut flower arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResistance to Challenges\u003cbr\u003e•    Foraging Mammals: Highly deer and rabbit resistant.\u003cbr\u003e•    Environmental Stress: Displays strong tolerance to drought, dry soil, and black walnut toxicity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thistlebird Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49192757002483,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/files\/WildBergamot-1.jpg?v=1786362537"},{"product_id":"scarlet-beebalm-1-quart","title":"Scarlet Beebalm— 1 Quart","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eLight Requirements\u003cbr\u003e•    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day).\u003cbr\u003e•    Tolerates some partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoil Preference\u003cbr\u003e•    Prefers moist, well-drained soils.\u003cbr\u003e•    Accommodates clay and high organic matter textures.\u003cbr\u003e•    Needs acidic (pH \u0026lt; 6.0) to neutral (6.0–8.0) soil conditions.\u003cbr\u003e•    Tolerant of wet soils and occasionally wet drainage conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWildlife Benefit\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator Powerhouse: Attracts bumblebees, swallowtail butterflies, moths, and Ruby-throated hummingbirds.\u003cbr\u003e•    Specialized Bee Support: Specifically supports specialized native bee species including Dufourea monardae, Perdita gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis.\u003cbr\u003e•    Nesting Habitat: Native bees utilize the dead, hollow stems to nest.\u003cbr\u003e•    Larval Host: Acts as a host plant for larvae of the hermit sphinx, orange mint moth, and raspberry pyrausta.\u003cbr\u003e•    Avian Value: Serves as an Audubon-recognized bird-friendly wildlife food source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHuman Uses\u003cbr\u003e•    Edible \u0026amp; Tea: Historically used by the Oswego Indians for tea. Leaves and flowers are edible and used to flavor jellies, soups, stews, and fruit salads.\u003cbr\u003e•    Ethnobotany \u0026amp; Medicine: Plant resins have been applied externally to soothe bee stings. It is also utilized in broader herbal medicine.\u003cbr\u003e•    Landscape Spaces: Adds bold summer color to cottage gardens, rain gardens, borders, and children's\/playground areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eResistance to Challenges\u003cbr\u003e•    Foraging Mammals: Highly resistant to damage caused by deer and rabbits.\u003cbr\u003e•    Environmental\/Chemical Stress: Resistant to wet soil conditions. It also tolerates black walnut toxicity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thistlebird Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49192971239667,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/files\/ScarletBeebalm-1.jpg?v=1786360720"},{"product_id":"narrowleaf-mountain-mint","title":"Narrowleaf Mountain Mint","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eLight Requirements\u003cbr\u003e•    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) to partial shade (2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoil Preference\u003cbr\u003e•    Highly adaptable to all types of soil, including clay, loam, sand, shallow, and rocky soil.\u003cbr\u003e•    Prefers acidic soil (pH \u0026lt; 6.0) with good drainage.\u003cbr\u003e•    Highly tolerant, managing moist, occasionally dry, or occasionally wet conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWildlife Benefit\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator Magnet: Strongly attracts bees (native sweat bees, bumblebees, honey bees), butterflies, and other pollinators for nectar and pollen.\u003cbr\u003e•    Larval Host: Serves as a host plant supporting larvae of the Wavy-lined Emerald moth (Synchlora aerata).\u003cbr\u003e•    Bird Food: Serves as an Audubon-recognized wildlife food source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHuman Uses\u003cbr\u003e•    Edible \u0026amp; Beverages: Dried leaves and flowers are used to make teas and flavorings.\u003cbr\u003e•    Pest Deterrent: Crushed leaves can be rubbed on the skin as a mosquito repellent.\u003cbr\u003e•    Landscape \u0026amp; Sensory Design: Ideal for pollinator, rain, native, or sensory gardens (garden for the blind), as well as meadows, slopes, and pond edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eResistance to Challenges\u003cbr\u003e•    Drought \u0026amp; Dry Soil: Displays strong resistance to drought and dry soils.\u003cbr\u003e•    Soil Erosion: Excellent for stabilization on slopes and banks due to erosion resistance.\u003cbr\u003e•    Pest\/Disease Resilience: Highly resilient with no significant insect or disease problems reported.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thistlebird Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49192974614771,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/files\/NarrowleafMountainMint-1.jpg?v=1786360607"},{"product_id":"american-elderberry","title":"American Elderberry","description":"\u003cp\u003eLighting Requirements\u003cbr\u003e•    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily).\u003cbr\u003e•    Partial shade (2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoil Preference\u003cbr\u003e•    Tolerates a wide variety of wet to dry soil textures including clay, high organic matter, loam (silt), and sand.\u003cbr\u003e•    Prefers rich, moist, and slightly acidic soil (pH \u0026lt;6.0 to neutral 6.0–8.0)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWildlife Benefit\u003cbr\u003e•    Attracts pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and bats to its fragrant blooms.\u003cbr\u003e•    Provides food via fruits eaten by mammals and many songbird species.\u003cbr\u003e•    Offers cover and excellent nesting sites for birds, quail, and pheasants.\u003cbr\u003e•    Serves as browse for deer, who eat the leaves, twigs, and fruit.\u003cbr\u003e•    Supports native bees, which use the dead, hollow stems for nesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman Uses\u003cbr\u003e•    Culinary: Cooked berries are used in pies, pancakes, jellies, marmalade, yogurt, and desserts.\u003cbr\u003e•    Beverages: Flowers and fruits are used in winemaking.\u003cbr\u003e•    Crafts: Twigs and fruit create basketry dyes; stems are used for flutes and whistles.\u003cbr\u003e•    Landscape: Serves as a hedge, barrier, or rain garden plant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Fsg96\"\u003e\u003c!--TgQPHd|||[]--\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResistance to Challenges\u003cbr\u003e•    Heat\u003cbr\u003e•    Drought\u003cbr\u003e•    Soil compaction\u003cbr\u003e•    Wet soil and erosion (making it highly effective for erosion control in moist sites)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thistlebird Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49201094852851,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/files\/Elderberry-1.jpg?v=1786280237"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9635\/0963\/collections\/PurpleConeflower-1.jpg?v=1787047631","url":"https:\/\/thistlebirdfarm.com\/collections\/tea-plants.oembed","provider":"Thistlebird Farm","version":"1.0","type":"link"}