Black Mulberry
The berries of black mulberry stain hands and clothing with a persistent dark colour when touched.
Black mulberry is one of the oldest cultivated fruit plants, grown by mankind for approximately five thousand years. Native to Western Asia, it has long been established in the gardens of southern and central Ukraine, where it has found a second home. Its adopted history is like a tale of how certain plants become truly Ukrainian through time and the dedication of gardeners.
Black mulberry impresses with its simplicity and generosity. On a tree with a thick, spreading habit, elongated leaves develop, and when May arrives, delicate flowers quietly transform into wonderful berries. Unlike its white sister, black mulberry produces larger, darker fruits—nearly black, with a characteristic, delicious sweet flavour. Each berry is a unique combination of softness and flavour complexity.
In the garden, black mulberry is an excellent companion for cherries and sweet cherries, creating a harmonious fruit ensemble. It readily adapts to various conditions, requiring neither complicated care nor constant attention. In summer, beneath the tree you can establish a cosy retreat—its dense crown provides blessed shade. However, it is worth noting: when ripening, the berries easily stain hands and clothing in a persistent dark colour, which gives them a certain wild beauty.
For a true gardener, black mulberry is not merely a fruit crop, but a symbol of patience and annual reward. Plant it once, and it will feed you and your generation, undemandingly and generously.
Black Mulberry — planting & location
Large dark berries that are more flavourful than white mulberry; less frost-hardy
How to water Black Mulberry
Drought-tolerant once established
Fertilizing and pruning: Black Mulberry
Remove diseased and dead branches