Overview
Morus is a spreading branched trees in the genus Morus, part of the Moraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Morus grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include architectural, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance and edible fruit.
About
Morus, commonly known as mulberry, is a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs with broadly ovate leaves that can be deeply lobed. These plants produce small, green, inconspicuous flowers in spring, which develop into edible fruit that may be white, red, or black. Morus trees have a spreading branched habit and thrive in full sun with sheltered exposure, preferring fertile, moist but well-drained soils ranging from chalk to clay and sand. They are hardy to UK zone H5 and are suitable for architectural, cottage, wildlife, and low-maintenance gardens.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Morus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Morus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Trees, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Edible fruit
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Morus
- Propagation
- Seed,semi-ripe cuttings in summer,hardwood cuttings in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to mulberry leaf spot, mulberry canker, coral spot, powdery mildews and honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Morus?
Morus prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Morus need?
Morus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Morus hardy in the UK?
Morus has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Morus?
Seed,semi-ripe cuttings in summer,hardwood cuttings in autumn.
More in the Morus genus
- Morus alba 'Snowflake Lobed' (v)
- Morus macrouraPakistan mulberry
- Morus nigra 'Izvor' (F)
- Morus nigra 'Mulle' (F)
- Morus nigra 'Sham Dudu' (F)
- Morus 'Carman' (F)mulberry 'Carman'
- Morus 'Italian' (F)
- Morus alba var. tatarica