White Mulberry
The silkworm is raised on the leaves of white mulberry—the foundation of the silk industry.
White mulberry is one of the oldest cultivated fruit plants, originating from China and accompanying humanity for millennia. This remarkable gift from the East was brought to Europe in ancient times and eventually spread across the globe. In Ukraine, white mulberry has thrived particularly well in southern and central regions, where it yields abundant harvests of sweet berries and becomes a true ornament of gardens.
This remarkable tree impresses with its undemanding nature and generosity. Its leaves display a characteristic heart-shaped form with fine down, and during flowering season (May–June), the tree becomes covered with small flowers that may escape attention but ensure a bountiful harvest. The berries change colour from white or pink to black as they ripen, developing a delightful sweet-tart flavour. Plant breeders have developed numerous varieties—from compact forms for small gardens to mighty specimens that become genuine long-lived treasures in family estates.
In the garden, white mulberry proves to be a versatile plant that harmonises well with other fruit crops such as apple, pear, or plum. It serves as an excellent shade tree, provides elegant foliage for decorative purposes, and most importantly, feeds the family with ripe berries year after year. Gardeners cherish white mulberry for its resistance to diseases and its ability to thrive in any soil type.
The true magic of mulberry lies in its historical significance: for 5,000 years, the silkworm has been cultivated on the leaves of this tree, producing the most delicate natural material—silk. This represents a connection between the plant world and human civilisation, worth remembering when you plant this tree in your own garden.
White Mulberry — planting & location
Fast-growing, edible berries, silkworm host plant.
How to water White Mulberry
Water young trees regularly; mature trees are drought-tolerant.
Fertilizing and pruning: White Mulberry
Remove dead and diseased branches.