Add mulberry foliage and fruit to your garden

If you’ve dreamed of having a backyard orchard but have limited space, why not try smaller trees? Dwarf varieties still produce full-sized fruit but when mature, are smaller compared to standard-sized trees. This is due to the rootstock used, or naturally dwarfing characteristics of certain varieties. If you have a mulberry tree on your to-plant list, try the following.

Mulberry 

• Height Pruned 2m
• Width Pruned 2m
• Sun/Shade Full sun
• Harvest October to January

CLIMATE ZONE: Subtropical  Arid/semi-arid  

While most mulberries grow as large trees, there are a couple of varieties that stand out for their smaller size. Check out White Shahtoot and Red Shahtoot, both of which grow long, finger-length berries. White Shahtoot is especially sweet and its white-coloured fruits add an extra layer of protection against birds. Whereas the Red Shahtoot is a fabulous, coloured mulberry that doesn’t stain clothes (or driveways!). Mulberries are a self-pollinating, heat-loving deciduous tree, making them great to pop on the western side of a house to help shade from hot, summer afternoon heat, and allow light in during cool winters. Alternatively, plant it by a chook pen to provide much-needed shade in summer and as a bonus, the chooks can help clean up dropped fruit. Be sure to locate your tree in a sheltered spot to prevent immature fruit drop.

There’s more ideas to help you find fruit that fits a small space in our Early Winter 2024 issue (OG 149). It’s easy to subscribe here.