Mulberry trees
King James 1st
A traditional English mulberry from the 17th century, also known as Chelsea. compareMore about Mulberry trees
Mulberries are primarily ornamental trees which are also grown for their fruit. There are two species, Morus nigra, also known as the Black Mulberry is the main fruting form. Morus alba, the White Mulberry, also produces edible fruits but is primarily grown for its ornamental value. White Mulberries are also used in silk production - silkworms feed on their leaves, which have a much finer texture than the leaves of the Black Mulberry.
All the varieties we sell in this category are Black Mulberries, i.e. the fruiting form, and are grown on their own roots (not grafted).
Mulberries are best-suited to large open gardens or parkland areas, and they grow slowly into large trees of about 6m-10m height and spread. If planting several trees, allow about 10m / 30ft between trees.
The fruit resembles raspberries or unripe blackberries, and has a tangy sweet-sharp taste. It can be eaten fresh or used for cooking (in other words, just like raspberries and blackberries). The fruit is borne throughout the canopy of the tree, usually out of reach from the ground - the usual method of picking is by shaking the branches when the fruit is ripe in late August.
Mulberries are easy to grow (if you have the space), usually unaffected by diseases, and self-fertile.
Mulberries are slow-growing and can be grown in large pots or planters for a decade or more, although trees grown this way may eventually need to be planted in open ground.
