To paraphrase Tolstoy, a great mulberry fan, all happy genera are alike. They're beautiful, adaptable, and have many beneficial uses. And that's an apt description of the mulberry tribe. The white mulberry, Morus alba, was introduced to the U.S. long ago for silkworm culture. This species has hybridized with the American mulberry, Morus rubra, across the Midwest and Southeast to form sheltered spots near pastures, lakes and rivers. A classic tree for the barnyard, where chickens and geese gobble down the berries as they drop, the fruits of these wild trees provide shelter and food for many animals. But it's the Black Mulberry, Morus nigra, that wins the flavor prize, along with the undiluted Morus alba cultivar 'Pakistan.' This variety hails from Islamabad and is famous for the intensity and complexity of its huge fruit. All mulberries are deciduous, self-fertile, and grow quickly in youth then slow their pace. Their flavorful fruit is so delicate that they break down during travel, so the only way to enjoy mulberries is to grow your own. You and your friends, feathered and otherwise, will be glad you did. A note on hardiness: gardeners are reporting wildly different experiences across the U.S. Some Vermonters are successfully growing the Black Beauty mulberry, yet that plant has died over the winter in Pennsylvania. We suspect aspect, hardening off, and using some sort of protection against the cold affects survival in zones 4-5. So be sure, if you live in these colder areas, to plant Black Beauty in the warmest spot in your garden, and to gradually withdraw water in late summer to prepare the plant for the winter. Temps below zero can kill Black Beauty absent these precautions. Above photo courtesy of Elizabeth Albritton. Shipping charges, applied at check-out,are 25% for CA, 30% for OR and WA, and 40% for rest of continental U.S. |
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| Contorted Mulberry Morus alba 'Contorta.' A fabulous landscape specimen, this contorted shrub will grow to 15' tall and 15' wide if not pruned. Easy to control with winter/early spring pruning and fruit is produced on young growth. The spiraling branches make outstanding bouquets, the dark berries are small but tasty, and the glossy large leaves are quite beautiful on their own. Full sun, adequate water. Zones 5-10. Grown in 1 gal containers, about 2' tall. | |
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| Pakistani Mulberry Tree Morus alba 'Pakistani.' The king of mulberry trees not only for its large ultimate height of 50' or more, but for the 4" long fruit that makes everyone swoon. Make sure to partake only of ripe fruit unless you want a puckered mouth for the day. Early summer harvest. The fruit blends sweet with tart in a complex berry flavor that reminds some of raspberries on steroids. Full sun, moderate summer water. Does not stain to the extent of other mulberries. Grown in 5 gal containers. Pruned to fit into 4' x 1'x 1' braced boxes. Some reports of success in zone 6, but reliable grower for zones 7-10. | |
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| Black Beauty Mulberry Bush Morus nigra 'Black Beauty' has intensely flavored black and juicy fruit from late Spring through mid-Summer on established bushes. You can keep this shrub down to 8' x 8', or let it grow larger into a tree to about 15'. Prune in early Spring because cut branches bleed during growing season. Makes a wonderful low-care hedge or wildlife habitat, but also excellent in pots on the terrace. Very hardy, to zone 5 with protection, but needs little winter chill. Grown in 5 gal containers. SOLD OUT UNTIL SPRING 2010. | |
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| Black Beauty Mulberry Bush 2 gal Morus nigra 'Black Beauty.' The same cultivar with the same great qualities as the 5 gal version. This smaller bush will catch up fast in your garden. Grown in 2 gal containers. | |
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