SPECIFICATIONS:
- Projected height and spread: 8–12 ft. in the ground; easily maintained at 4–6 ft. with regular pruning; suitable for large containers
- Growth habit: Spreading, bushy deciduous shrub; compact, everbearing; Morus nigra type; self-fruitful
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade; full sun preferred for best fruit production
- Fertilizer requirements: Moderate; balanced fertilizer in early spring; tolerant of lower fertility soils; an annual light application of balanced fertilizer can be beneficial
- Water requirements: Regular watering during growing season; moderately drought-tolerant once established; tolerates most well-draining soils; plant away from walkways as ripe fruit stains
DESCRIPTION:
Black Dwarf is the mulberry for gardeners who want abundant, delicious fruit without devoting a large chunk of their yard to a full-sized tree. This compact, bushy form of black mulberry (Morus nigra) produces sweet, deep black, blackberry-like berries throughout spring and into summer, with fruit continuously produced over an extended season. Black mulberries are widely considered to produce the finest-flavored fruit of any mulberry species: intensely sweet with a pleasant hint of tartness, excellent fresh or dried for snacking.
The bush form makes Black Dwarf well-suited to smaller East Bay yards, raised garden beds, or large containers on a patio or deck, where it can be maintained at a manageable height with occasional pruning. In the ground it can reach 10–15 ft. if left unmanaged, but responds extremely well to hard annual pruning and can easily be kept much smaller. It is self-fruitful, widely adapted, and requires very low chill hours, making it productive across a range of Bay Area locations. Mulberries as a group have very few pest or disease problems, which makes them especially appealing for gardeners who prefer to minimize pesticide use. A standout choice for anyone who values both flavor and space efficiency.
