Mulberries - Part 2: A Guide to the Best Garden Varieties

Do you remember your childhood and the purple-stained fingers from the sweet fruits of a mulberry tree that grew somewhere along the road? These undemanding and generous trees are true treasures of our gardens. Today, however, we are no longer limited to random seedlings. Thanks to precise breeding, there are varieties that offer much more—huge fruits, intense flavor, and excellent resistance to our winters.

In this guide, we will look at four exceptional varieties that represent the pinnacle of modern cultivation. Three queens of the dark night and one treasure of a sunny day.

Queens of the Dark Night: Black Mulberries (Morus nigra)

Black mulberries are synonymous with a deep, rich, and intense flavor. Their juice stains a deep purple, and the taste is a perfect harmony of sweetness with a gentle, refreshing acidity.

Agate: The Reliable Classic for Everyone

This treasure from Eastern Europe is the embodiment of reliability. Agate is a large-fruited, productive, and absolutely undemanding mulberry that requires almost no care. It is the ideal choice for those who want a carefree tree with a guaranteed harvest.

  • Growth Habit: A strong and upright tree (3-5 m) with a dense crown.
  • Fruit and Taste: Very large fruits (up to 5 cm) are firm, purplish-black, and ripen gradually over six weeks starting in July. The pulp is juicy, seedless, and has a delicious, sweet taste with a berry aroma.
  • Yield and Hardiness: It comes into bearing very early (often in the 2nd year). Yields are high and regular. Frost hardiness reaches -20 °C.

Who is this variety ideal for?

For anyone looking for a proven and low-maintenance classic. It is the perfect combination of high yield and low upkeep, also suitable for urban environments.

Galicia: A Champion of Hardiness and Yield

This Ukrainian variety is proof that you don't need to be afraid of colder regions. Bred for harsh conditions, Galicia combines excellent taste with exceptional hardiness and enormous yields. Its fruits are firm and store well.

  • Growth Habit: A strong tree (3 m and more) with a compact crown.
  • Fruit and Taste: Very large, black-purple fruits (6-8 g) ripen in July. The pulp is dense, juicy, seedless, and has a refreshingly sweet taste.
  • Yield and Hardiness: A high-yielding variety—a 5-year-old tree can produce up to 40 kg of fruit! Frost hardiness is excellent, down to -25 °C.

Who is this variety ideal for?

For growers in colder, sub-mountainous regions who are looking for maximum frost hardiness and a huge harvest without compromising on taste.

Shelly: The All-Rounder Without Compromise

If you are looking for one variety that has it all, Shelly is the answer. This Ukrainian unique combines the most desirable traits: gigantic fruits, excellent taste, high yield, and great frost hardiness.

  • Growth Habit: A strong tree (3 m and more) with a compact crown.
  • Fruit and Taste: Extremely large, purplish-black fruits (up to 5 cm) ripen from mid-June. The juicy and seedless pulp has a delicious, refreshingly sweet, and aromatic flavor.
  • Yield and Hardiness: The yield is very high, stable, and regular. Frost hardiness is down to -23 °C.

Who is this variety ideal for?

For gardeners who want the best and don't like to make compromises. Shelly is a proven and reliable choice that delivers "everything in one."

The Sweetness of a Sunny Day: White Mulberry (Morus alba)

White mulberries offer a completely different taste experience. Their flavor is pure, honey-sweet, without a trace of acidity. They are ideal for children and lovers of extremely sweet fruit.

Shandong: Honey-Sweetness from China

This unique, less common mulberry with white fruits comes from China. It stands out not only for its large fruits but especially for their taste—it is so sweet that in Asia, its fruits are traditionally used as a natural sweetener.

  • Growth Habit: A strong and upright tree (3-5 m) with a compact crown.
  • Fruit and Taste: Very large fruits (4-5 cm) are milky-white. The pulp is exceptionally sweet and aromatic, with a sugar content of up to 22 °Brix.
  • Yield and Hardiness: The yield is high and regular, starting as early as the second year after planting. Frost hardiness is down to -23 °C.

Who is this variety ideal for?

For lovers of exceptionally sweet fruit and for families with children. Its fruits do not stain and offer the taste of pure honey.

From Dark Passion to Sweet Tenderness
From the intense flavor of the black queens to the honeyed sweetness of the white treasure—the world of mulberries is incredibly diverse. Each variety brings a unique character and the joy of a rich and undemanding harvest to the garden. Discover the right mulberry for you in our carefully selected range.

The Final Decision: Which Mulberry is Yours?

Still not sure? Here is a quick guide to help you choose the right one:

  • Looking for an absolute all-rounder with the largest fruits and great taste? Your choice is Shelly.
  • Need a champion for colder, mountainous regions with the highest frost hardiness? Go for the Galicia variety.
  • Want a reliable and low-maintenance classic that is guaranteed to produce a harvest? Choose Agate.
  • Craving the sweetest taste without any acidity, ideal for children? Your tree is Shandong.

Whether you prefer the deep flavor of the black mulberry or the sweetness of its white sister, these varieties prove that growing mulberries in our regions can be exceptionally easy and rewarding.

Which variety has won your heart? Let us know in the comments!