Morus alba

RHS Plant Profile

white mulberry

Other common names

Russian mulberry, sycamine tree, white-fruited mulberry

Synonyms

Morus kagayamae
Morus acidosa
Morus alba bombycis
Morus bombycis
Morus australis

Trees Fruit Edible

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A small to mid-sized deciduous tree, with a spreading habit and ovate to heart-shaped, glossy, toothed green leaves, turning pale yellow in autumn. Pale green catkins are produced in late spring and early summer, followed by edible, raspberry-like fruits that begin white and develop to reddish-pink or near-black. Silkworms are traditionally fed on the leaves of this tree

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): H5

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: China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soil in full sun, with shelter from cold, dry winds. See mulberry cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by hardwood cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1, in late autumn or 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)