Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) Tree Shrub Seeds – Black Fruit, Hardy Shrub

Bring life and sweetness to your garden with Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) — a resilient North American native tree that produces juicy, dark-purple to black fruits. Known for their sweet-tart flavor, these berries attract birds, pollinators, and beneficial wildlife while offering abundant harvests for you.

Red Mulberry trees are easy to grow, drought-tolerant once established, and thrive in a wide range of conditions. Their broad leaves and spreading canopy also make them excellent shade trees for landscapes or edible forest gardens.

Features

• 🌳 Native & Hardy: Adapted to North American climates; grows in USDA Zones 4–9.
• 🍇 Delicious Fruit: Produces sweet black mulberries loved by people and wildlife.
• 🌞 Low Maintenance: Tolerates drought, poor soil, and light shade.
• 🐦 Wildlife Friendly: Attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
• 🌱 Fast-Growing: Can reach maturity and fruit within a few years.
• ❄️ Cold Tolerant: Survives harsh winters and adapts to variable soil conditions.

Specifications

• Common Name: Red Mulberry
• Scientific Name: Morus rubra
• Plant Type: Deciduous tree or large shrub
• Zones: USDA 4–9
• Mature Height: 30–60 ft
• Spread: 35–50 ft
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained soil
• Soil pH: 5.5–7.5
• Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once mature
• Temperature Range: -25°F to 90°F (-32°C to 32°C)
• Bloom Time: Late spring
• Fruit Season: Summer
• Fruit Color: Deep purple to black
• Germination Time: 30–90 days
• Pollination: Self-pollinating (but better yield with multiple trees)
• GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
• Uses: Fresh eating, drying, jams, jellies, wines, wildlife support

Planting Guide

• Stratify Seeds: Place seeds in damp sand inside a plastic bag and refrigerate for 60–90 days.
• Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Plant ¼ inch deep in moist, well-drained soil.
• Light: Provide full sunlight or partial shade.
• Temperature: Ideal germination range is 70–85°F (21–29°C).
• Transplant: Move young trees outdoors after frost danger passes.
• Spacing: 20–25 ft apart for orchard planting.
• Watering: Keep soil moist during establishment, then reduce frequency.
• Fertilization: Minimal; use balanced organic compost in spring.

Care Tips

• Prune lightly in winter to shape and remove weak branches.
• Mulch around base to conserve moisture and deter weeds.
• Protect young plants from deer and rodents.
• Harvest fruit as it ripens—mulberries drop easily when fully mature!