In the Garden there are representatives of both the ‘Black Mulberry’ and the lesser grown relative the ‘White Mulberry’. With autumn comes the fruiting season and this year both are bearing a heavy crop of fruit.

About 7 years ago we transplanted Morus nigra the ‘Black Mulberry’, from a damp site within an overhanging canopy to a well drained site in sun. The plant romped away with lush healthy foliage and has produced fruit for the past 5 years, but not as bountiful a crop as this season.

Full of juice that colours the skin when picked and very sweet to taste. Thought to originate in SW Asia but has been in cultivation for so long that its true geographical area is unknown.

The ‘White Mulberry’, M. alba is a much larger tree growing in the west border. It also has a profusion of white fruit. These are smaller and tart to taste. It is native to China where plantations are grown commercially as the leaves are used to feed silkworms.

Morus nigra

Morus nigra

Morus alba