Morus rubra
red mulberry
A medium-sized, upright, deciduous tree with dark green, oval-shaped leaves which turn yellow in autumn. Inconspicuous pale green catkin-like flowers appear in May and June, followed on female varieties by cylinder-shaped sweet and juicy red to dark purple blackberry-like fruits
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Red Purple | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Moraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- 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
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist, humus-rich, fertile soils with shelter from cold, dry winds. See mulberry cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Cottage and informal garden
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pruning group 1, prune in late summer to early winter to avoid bleeding
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to mulberry leaf spot, mulberry canker, coral spot, powdery mildews and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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