Morus mongolica

RHS Plant Profile
Mongolian mulberry

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Mongolian mulberry John Fielding
Trees Shrubs

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Moraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
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
Correct
Plant Range
E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. See mulberry cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer, root hardwood cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
  • Edible fruit
  • Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to mulberry leaf spot, mulberry canker, coral spot, powdery mildews and honey fungus (rarely)