Mulberry Varieties for Florida

From Growing Mulberry website, Just Fruits and Exotics Nursery
and California Rare Fruit Growers

Mulberry Varieties for Florida

Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry- Fruits through Summer! (Morus alba)
The Dwarf Everbearing mulberry is a compact growing, dwarf tree (can be kept under 6 feet!) that fruits through the summer. Great variety for edible container gardens and patios. Fruit is medium size, black with a rich sweet flavor. Self-fertile. ¹
Zones 5-10B

'King White Pakistan' ('Shatoot') Mulberries – Pure White Seedless Fruit!
Just like the 'Pakistan' mulberry, 'Shatoot'' has long up to 4 inch seedless fruit – but they are white! If you like super sweet this is the mulberry for you. Fruit dries well for mulberry raisins. Fast growing trees one of the best edible landscaping shade trees. Fruit ripens in May.
Zones 9A-10B ¹

Mulberry 'King White Pakistan'

Fig. 1

'King White Pakistan'

'Illinois Everbearing' Mulberry (M. alba X M. rubra)
Originated in White County, Illinois. Introduced in 1958. Black, nearly seedless fruit large and very long, averaging 12 per ounce. Flavor good to very good, very sweet, considered best by by many. Matures over along season. Tree vigorous and somewhat dwarfed, extremely hardy and productive. ²
Trees are large growers, but can be kept small with a hard prune after fruiting. Fruit ripens early-May to early June. Self Fertile. ¹
Zones 5A-8B

Illinois Everbearing Mulberry

Fig. 2

'Illinois Everbearing'

'Pakistan' mulberry – Seedless 4 Inch Fruit! (M. alba)
Originated in Islamabad, Pakistan. Flesh firmer than most other named cultivars. Sweet with a fine balance of flavors. Quality excellent. Recommended for the deep South and mild winter areas such as southern California, but usually performs satisfactorily in cooler areas. ²
Imagine a whole tree of raspberry fruit! That is what this tree most reminds me of. 'Pakistan' mulberry fruit are large and long - up to 4 inches - and have a delicious, rich real raspberry flavor. Fast growing trees with large heart shaped leaves offer a dense cool shade. Fruit ripens mid to late May. ¹
Zones 9A-10B

Pakistan mulberry – Seedless 4 Inch Fruit!

Fig. 3

'Pakistan'

Boysenberry Black Mulberry – Rich Tangy Sweet Flavor!
'Boysenberry Black' mulberry is a Just Fruits find. The original tree was found at an old homestead Wakulla County Florida. Strong growing trees bear hefty crops of gigantic 1 1/2 inch long seedless black fruit. Distinct tart ‘boysenberry’ taste makes for great jam. Fruit ripens in May. ¹
Zones 7-9

Boysenberry Black Mulberry – Rich Tangy Sweet Flavor!

Fig. 4

'Boysenberry Black'

'Callie’s Delight' Contorted Mulberry – Fruiting Contorted Mulberry!
A fruiting ‘sport’ of the contorted mulberry Morus bombycis or Morus alba ‘Unryn’ (Dragon in the Clouds Mulberry) This tree was brought to our attention by Linda Bennet of Crawfordville Florida. Linda bough the original tree from us several years ago. She planted it as an ornamental and was surprised to find it fruiting soon after planting. Sports or branch mutation do happen in the world of fruit trees and often this is what gives us a new variety of fruit. Named after a relative she is quite fond of, 'Callie’s Delight' has all the great features on the original contorted mulberries with it’s gnarled and twisted branches. But it bears fruit too! Fruit are large over an inch, black and super sweet. Fantastic fast growing shade tree. Grows to 30 feet. ¹
Zones 5-9B


Fig. 5 'Callie’s Delight’'	Fig. 6 'Callie’s Delight’'

'East Coast' Mulberry – Fruits Well in Tropical Climates!
It’s hard to find a mulberry that fruits well in hot tropical climates, but 'East Coast' does the job. Great for Central and South Florida. Big, 1 1/2 inch juicy, sweet mulberry fruit with plenty of flavor. Fruit ripens in May. ¹
Zones 9-10

East Coast Mulberry – Fruits Well in Tropical Climates!

Fig. 7

'East Coast'

Edible Leaf Mulberry – Eat the Leaves, too!
You can have your fruit and eat the leaves, too! While all Morus alba varieties have edible leaves, this variety has very tender leaves with a better flavor. Young mulberry leaves are loaded with protein and have been used as a cooked green or made into a tea in many Asian countries for centuries. In spring, the variety will also produce 1 inch long, black mulberries with a tangy sweet flavor. Fruit ripens in May. ¹
Zones 7A-10B


Fig. 8 'Edible Leaf'	Fig. 9 'Edible Leaf'

'Ho’O' Mulberry – Bizarre shaped Leaves! Fruits Too!
'Ho’O' is a Japanese variety of Morus alba whose name means king or royalty. The leaves look like a living topographic map. The area between minor veins is distorted, so the leaf surface is crinkled or raised. Great yellow fall color. Mid size sweet black fruit. Ripens in May. ¹
Zones 5A-9B


Fig. 10 'Ho’O'	Fig. 11 'Ho’O'

'Pandora’s Box' Weeping Mulberry – Funky Tree and That Fruit Too!
Morus alba ‘Pendula’, This unusual tree is a sure show-stopper in the landscape! 'Pandora’s Box' twisted, gnarled trunk is crowned with a cascade of branches that weep to the ground. Produces an abundance of small black fruit in early summer. Self Fertile. ¹
Zones 5A-10B

Pandora’s Box Weeping Mulberry – Funky Tree and That Fruit Too!

Fig. 12

'Pandora’s Box'

'Ranger Ken’s' Mulberry – Sweet White Mulberries!
We often are on the hunt for local fruits that have stood the trials of our climate. 'Ranger Ken’s' mulberry was brought to our attention by several customers. We heard often about the incredible mulberries of Railroad Square. Railroad square is a industrial park turned art district in downtown Tallahassee. It is situated next to the historical old railway depot. The lots that surround the district are filled with seedling mulberries. Most are black but there are a few white mulberries in the bunch. White mulberries are known for their super sweet flavor and are really good for making raisins out of. Anyway Ranger Ken is the care taker of the Railroad Square Park, he’s a local gardening guru and can often be found selling produce at the local farmers markets. This mulberry is his favorite of the three we determined to be the best of the ones growing within the park. The fruit are large over an inch in length, the flavor has a nice rich honey sweetness to it. Fruit ripens early May. ¹
Zones 7A-9B


Fig. 13 ''Ranger Ken’s'	Fig. 14 ''Ranger Ken’s'

'Silk Hope' Mulberry – Yummy and Prolific! (M. alba X M. rubra)
'Silk Hope' is a Morus alba x rubra hybrid from North Carolina. Berries are 1 ½ inch long, black with an excellent sweet tart flavor. It has been shown to even out produce the 'Illinois Everbearing' mulberry! Silk Hope is a selection and favorite of Dr. A.J. Bullard, long time NAFEX mulberry consultant. Ripens in May. ¹
Zones 5A-9B

Silk Hope Mulberry – Yummy and Prolific!

Fig. 15

'Silk Hope'

'Valdosta' Mulberry – A Georgia Find! (M. alba X M. rubra)
The 'Valdosta' mulberry was passed onto us by a customer from Valdosta, GA. and we think it’s a winner! The 'Valdosta' produces HUGE 2 inch long mulberries with a rich, deliciously sweet flavor. It’s our new favorite! Fruit ripens in May. ¹
Zones 7A-9B

Valdosta Mulberry – A Georgia Find!

Fig. 16

'Valdosta'

'Wacissa' Mulberry – A local Find! (M. alba X M. rubra)
A Just Fruits find! 'Wacissa' mulberry was found in the sleepy little town of Wacissa Florida. The original tree must be close to 70 years old and continues to bear heavy crops of 1 1/2 inch deep purple fruit. Rich sweet blackberry flavor, very soft and juicy.
Fruit ripens in May. ¹
Zones 7A-9B

Wacissa Mulberry – A local Find!

Fig. 17

'Wacissa'

'White Beauty' Mulberry – Sweet White Mulberries!
We often are on the hunt for local fruits that have stood the trials of our climate. We heard often about the incredible mulberries of Railroad Square. Railroad square is a industrial park turned art district in downtown Tallahassee, Florida. It is situated next to the historical old railway depot. The lots that surround the district are filled with seedling mulberries. Most are black but there are a few white mulberries in the bunch. White mulberries are known for their super sweet flavor and are really good for making raisins out of. You really haven eaten good till you try mulberry raisin muffins. 'White Beauty' is one of the three we determined to be the best of the ones growing within the park. The fruit are large over an inch in length, the flavor has a nice rich maple syrup flavor to it.
Fruit ripens early May. ¹
Zones 7A-9B

White Beauty Mulberry – Sweet White Mulberries!

Fig. 18

'White Beauty'

'White Railroad' Mulberry – Local
We often are on the hunt for local fruits that have stood the trials of our climate. We heard often from local food foragers about the incredible mulberries of Railroad Square. Railroad square is a industrial park turned art district in downtown Tallahassee. It is situated next to the historical old railway depot. The lots that surround the district are filled with seedling mulberries. Most are black but there are a few white mulberries in the bunch. White mulberries are known for their super sweet flavor and are really good for making raisins out of. You really haven eaten good till you try mulberry raisin muffins. The 'White Railroad' produces lots of plump, white mulberries that are over 1 inch long. The flavor is so sweet like vanilla ice cream. Fruit ripens in May. ¹
Zones 7-9

White Railroad Mulberry – Local

Fig. 19

'White Railroad'

Other Morus alba cutlivars ³
'Beautiful Day', Zones 5-9
'Downing', Zones 5-9
Dwarf mulberry 'Issai', Zones 6-10
'Florida Giant', Zones 6-10
'Kokuso' (Korean), Zones 5-9
'Middelton', Zones 5-9
'Riviera', Zones 5-9
'Rupp's Romanian', Zones 6-9
'Russian' ('Tararica'), Zones 3-8
'Tehama', Zones 7-9
'Weeping', Zones 4-9
'World's Best', Zones 6?-10
'Sweet Lavender', Zones 5-9
'David Smith Everbearing', Zones 4-9
'Northrop', Zones 4-8
'4 Seasons', Zones ?-10

Other Morus rubra cultivars ³
'Hick's Everbearing', Zones 5-9
'Johnson', Zones 5-9
'Stubbs' (from 1870 Georgia), Zones 5-9
'Travis', Zones 5-9
'Wild type', Zones 5-10

Other Morus nigra cultivars ³
'AGM', Zones *6-10
'Black Beauty', Zones *6-10
'Chelsea-King James', Zones *6-10
'Jerusalem', Zones *6-10
'Kaester', Zones *6-10
'Noir of Spain', Zones *6-10

Other hybrid cultivars ³
Hybrids are formed only between Morus alba, M.rubra, M. macroura
'Collier', Zones 5-8
'Gerardi', Zones 5-9
'Oscar', Zones 6-9
'Shangri-La', Zones 6-10
'Tehama', Zones 7-9
'Tice', Zones 9-10
'Wellington', Zones 5-10?
'Miss Kim', Zones 6-10 ?

**Note: Morus nigra has been reported to thrive in dry winter locations of USDA Hardiness Zone 6,

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Bibliography

¹ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Mulberry Tree." Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product-category/fruit-trees/mulberry/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.
² "Mulberry." California Rare Fruit Growers, 1996, crfg.org.pubs/ff/mulberry.html. Accessed 16 Oct. 2017.
³ Travis, Mark. Growing Mulberry, www.growingmulberry.org. Accessed 20 Mar. 2020.

Photographs

Fig. ¹ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "King White Pakistan (Shatoot) Mulberries – Pure White Seedless Fruit!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/king-white-pakistan-shahtoot-2/#. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ² Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Illinois Everbearing Mulberry." Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/illinois-everbearing-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ³ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Pakistan mulberry – Seedless 4 Inch Fruit! " Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/pakistan-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ⁴ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. 'Boysenberry Black Mulberry – Rich Tangy Sweet Flavor!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/boysenberry-black-mulberry-tree/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ^5,6 Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Callie’s Delight’ Contorted Mulberry – Fruiting Contorted Mulberry!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/callies-delight-contorted-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ⁷ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "East Coast Mulberry – Fruits Well in Tropical Climates!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/boysenberry-black-mulberry-tree/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ^8,9 Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Edible Leaf Mulberry – Eat the Leaves, too!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/edible-leaf-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ^10,11 Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Ho’O Mulberry – Bizarre shaped Leaves! Fruits Too!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/hoo-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ¹² Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Pandora’s Box Weeping Mulberry – Funky Tree and That Fruit Too!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/pandoras-box-weeping-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ^13,14 Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Ranger Ken’s Mulberry – Sweet White Mulberries!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/ranger-kens-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ¹⁵ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Silk Hope Mulberry – Yummy and Prolific!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/silk-hope-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ¹⁶ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Valdosta Mulberry – A Georgia Find!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/valdosta-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ¹⁷ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "Wacissa Mulberry – A local Find!' Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/wacissa-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ¹⁸ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "White Beauty Mulberry – Sweet White Mulberries!" Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/white-beauty-mulberry-tree/#prettyPhoto. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.
Fig. ¹⁹ Cowley Gilbert, Brandy. "White Railroad Mulberry – Local." Just Fruits and Exotics, www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/white-railroad-mulberry-tree/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2017.

Published 26 Oct. 2017 LR. Last update 30 May 2021 LR