About
A deciduous shrub or small tree to 7.5m, with toothed, heart-shaped leaves to 15cm long; the foliage develops good autumn colour. In early summer the mulberry fruits ripen; they are edible but M. nigra produces tastier fruit.
About the genus
Morus are deciduous trees and shrubs with broadly ovate, sometimes deeply lobed leaves and inconspicuous green flowers followed by usually edible white, red or black fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeTrees, Shrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toE Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. See mulberry cultivation
PruningSee pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer, root hardwood cuttings in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to mulberry leaf spot, mulberry canker, coral spot, powdery mildews and honey fungus (rarely)