Mulberries are a delightful addition to any garden, offering not only luscious fruits but also attractive foliage and shade. For gardeners in North Carolina, choosing the right type of mulberry tree is essential to ensure healthy growth, abundant fruit production, and adaptation to the local climate. This article will explore the best types of mulberry trees suitable for planting in North Carolina, covering their characteristics, benefits, and care tips.
North Carolina’s climate varies from the coastal plain to the mountainous regions, generally characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall. Mulberry trees thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9, which comfortably includes most parts of North Carolina. They are well-adapted to the region’s soil types and weather patterns, making them an excellent choice for home gardeners and commercial growers alike.
Mulberries offer multiple benefits:
There are primarily three species of mulberries that are commonly grown: White Mulberry (Morus alba), Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), and Black Mulberry (Morus nigra). Each has varieties that can thrive well in North Carolina’s environment.
Origin: Native to China and extensively cultivated worldwide.
Description: White mulberries vary widely due to extensive cultivation. Leaves can be variable in shape; fruits range from white to purple or even black.
Suitability: White mulberry is highly adaptable and fast-growing. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including clay and poor soils commonly found in parts of North Carolina.
Benefits:
Popular Varieties for North Carolina:
Planting Tips:
White mulberries grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They prefer well-drained soil but are drought-tolerant once established. Pruning is recommended to maintain shape and encourage fruiting.
Origin: Native to the eastern United States, including North Carolina.
Description: The red mulberry has larger leaves with a rough texture on top and a hairy underside. The fruits start green, turning red to dark purple when ripe.
Suitability: Since it is native to North Carolina, it is well adapted to local climate and soil conditions. Red mulberries tend to be more resistant to pests and diseases common in the region.
Benefits:
Characteristics:
Red mulberries can grow quite large (up to 70 feet tall) if left unmanaged but are usually pruned smaller for ease of harvest. These trees thrive in rich moist soils but adapt well to various conditions.
Planting Tips:
Plant red mulberries where they have space to spread out. They do well in full sun but tolerate some shade. Regular watering during dry spells improves fruit quality.
Origin: Native to southwestern Asia; prized for its flavorful fruit.
Description: Black mulberries have rough leaves with deeply serrated edges; their fruits are dark purple-black when ripe with a sweet taste similar to blackberries.
Suitability: While not native, black mulberries can grow successfully in North Carolina’s warmer zones (7 to 9) when protected from extreme cold or frost damage during winter.
Benefits:
Planting Tips:
Black mulberries prefer well-drained fertile soil and full sun exposure. They may need protection from strong winds or late frosts that can damage buds.
A hybrid type known for large berries with exceptional sweetness. It grows well in warmer parts of North Carolina (Piedmont regions) and produces fruits throughout summer into early fall.
For gardeners with limited space, dwarf cultivars such as “Dwarf Everbearing” offer compact growth while yielding abundant fruit suitable for container growing or small yards.
Choose a location with:
Mulberries tolerate various soil types but perform best in fertile, loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Amend poor soils with organic compost before planting.
The best time to plant mulberries in North Carolina is early spring after the last frost or during the fall when temperatures are cooler but before the first freeze.
Newly planted trees require regular watering until established (generally one year). Mature trees are drought tolerant but benefit from watering during prolonged dry spells especially throughout blooming and fruiting stages.
Apply balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 NPK) once per year in early spring to encourage healthy growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen which may promote leaf growth at expense of fruit production.
Prune during late winter or early spring before new growth begins:
Pruning encourages better light penetration improving fruit yield and quality.
Mulberries generally face few serious pests or diseases in North Carolina but watch out for:
Regular inspection combined with good cultural practices like adequate spacing can minimize problems. Organic insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils help control pest outbreaks when necessary.
Fruits ripen over several weeks starting from late spring through summer depending on variety and location within North Carolina. Ripe berries easily detach from stems; they should be harvested promptly as they spoil quickly once fully ripe.
Mulberries can be eaten fresh, dried, made into jams, pies, wines, or smoothies — an excellent versatile fruit crop!
North Carolina gardeners looking to cultivate mulberries have several excellent species options suited to their regional climate conditions:
With proper site selection, planting techniques, and care routines tailored for North Carolina’s diverse environments, these mulberry trees will reward gardeners with years of delicious harvests combined with ornamental appeal. Whether you seek wildlife-friendly native plants or exotic sweet berries, mulberries are a fruitful choice worthy of your garden space.