Create Your Garden

Morus rubra (Red Mulberry)

American Mulberry, Red Mulberry, Moral, Morus murrayana, Morus rubra var. murrayana

Morus rubra, American Mulberry, Red Mulberry, Moral, Morus murrayana, Morus rubra var. murrayana
Morus rubra, American Mulberry, Red Mulberry, Moral, Morus murrayana, Morus rubra var. murrayana
Morus rubra, American Mulberry, Red Mulberry, Moral, Morus murrayana, Morus rubra var. murrayana

A prolifically fruiting species, Morus rubra (Red Mulberry) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a short trunk and a broad rounded crown. The foliage is quite variable with deeply lobed or unlobed leaves, 8 in. long (20 cm), adorned with soft hairy undersides. The leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. Inconspicuous flowers held in short green catkins appear on separate male and female trees in early spring. The fertilized female flowers give way to edible, oval, dark purplish-red fruits, 1 in. long (2.5 cm). Fruits are sweet and juicy and may be eaten off the tree or used for jellies, jams, and wines. Birds feast on them. Native Americans used the fruits fresh, for beverages, breads and cakes, dumplings, and preserves.

  • Grows up to 30-50 ft. tall (9-15 m) and 30-40 ft. wide (9-12 m). Self-seed somewhat prolifically.
  • A full sun lover, Red Mulberry is easily grown in rich, moist, deepwell-drained soils. Tolerates part shade.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Look for borers, whiteflies, leaf scorch, canker, powdery mildew, scale, spider mites, and mealybugs.
  • Prune in late fall or winter.
  • Unripe fruit and milky sap from all parts have low toxicity if eaten.
  • Propagate by seed or cuttings.
  • Native to eastern and central North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 10
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7
Plant Type Fruits, Trees
Plant Family Moraceae
Common names Red Mulberry, Mulberry, Moral
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m)
Spread 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Recommended Companion Plants

Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
Aesculus pavia (Red Buckeye)
Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice)
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina Jessamine)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 10
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7
Plant Type Fruits, Trees
Plant Family Moraceae
Common names Red Mulberry, Mulberry, Moral
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m)
Spread 30' - 40' (9.1m - 12.2m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Morus rubra (Red Mulberry) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Morus rubra (Red Mulberry) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone