Mulberry Tree Seeds - Morus Species - White & Black

White & Black Mulberry Seeds – Grow Your Own Fruit-Bearing Trees in the UK

Bring heritage, beauty, and homegrown fruit to your garden with White (Morus alba) and Black (Morus nigra) Mulberry Seeds. These classic fruit trees offer both ornamental charm and long-term productivity, producing delicious, antioxidant-rich berries while supporting local wildlife. With the right care and patience, growing mulberry trees from seed is a fulfilling and sustainable way to enjoy fresh fruit right from your own garden.

Why Choose Mulberry Trees?

• Delicious berries: Perfect for fresh eating, drying, baking, winemaking, or preserves.
• Ornamental beauty: Striking foliage and mature trees with elegant, gnarled trunks.
• Wildlife-friendly: Loved by bees, birds, butterflies, and pollinators.
• Low-maintenance: Hardy, long-lived, and drought-tolerant once established.
• UK-suitable: Both white and black mulberries thrive in a range of UK climates when given the proper start.

Historical & Botanical Background

White Mulberry (Morus alba) originates from China and was historically essential to the silk industry as the primary food source for silkworms. These trees were introduced to Europe and North America centuries ago for sericulture and ornamental planting.

Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) is native to Persia and introduced to Britain in the 16th century, where it became prized for its rich, sweet, dark berries and visually stunning form. Despite its name, the fruit ranges from dark red to black when ripe and is widely regarded as having superior flavour to white varieties.

Growing Guide: Mulberry Seeds (UK-Specific)

Successfully growing mulberries from seed in the UK takes time and careful attention during the germination phase. Follow this detailed guide to get the best results.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Break Seed Dormancy)

Mulberry seeds need a period of cold stratification to mimic winter conditions and stimulate germination.

How to Stratify:

• Place seeds in a damp paper towel or mix with moist vermiculite or sand.
• Seal in a plastic bag or airtight container.
• Refrigerate at 2–5°C (35–41°F) for 6–8 weeks.
• Check every 1–2 weeks to ensure moisture is consistent (not soggy or dry).
• Seeds may begin to swell or sprout toward the end of stratification.

Tip: Use labelled containers and note the start date for accuracy.

Step 2: Sowing the Seeds

• Once stratified, sow your seeds in pots or seed trays indoors:
• Use a well-draining seed compost mixed with sand or perlite.
• Sow seeds 1cm deep, spacing them to allow for airflow.
• Water gently to keep soil evenly moist but not wet.
• Place in a warm, bright spot (ideally 18–22°C). Avoid direct sun at this stage.

Tip: Avoid waterlogging, which can cause rot or damping off in young seeds.

Step 3: Germination & Early Growth

• Germination can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks—be patient!
• Once seedlings emerge, provide bright indirect light.
• Keep temperatures stable and soil slightly damp (never saturated).
• Once seedlings develop 4–6 true leaves, pot them up into larger containers.

Step 4: Hardening Off & Outdoor Planting

When seedlings are around 10–15cm tall and all risk of frost has passed (typically late May to early June in the UK), begin the hardening off process:

• Move plants outdoors during the day for 7–10 days, increasing exposure gradually.
• Transplant to final positions in a sunny, sheltered site with well-draining, loamy or sandy soil (pH 6.0–7.0).
• Space trees at least 4–5 metres apart to allow for mature growth.

Tip: Mulberries are excellent for orchards, large gardens, or spacious borders.

Long-Term Care:

Water regularly during the first year to encourage deep root growth.

• Apply organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
• Mulberry trees are drought-tolerant once established.
• Minimal pruning required—remove only dead or overcrowded branches in late winter.

Fruiting & Harvesting

• Trees grown from seed typically fruit after 5–10 years, depending on conditions.
• Once mature, mulberries produce abundant berries from June to August, attracting birds and beneficial insects.
• Fruit drops when ripe—plant over grass or use netting to make harvest easier.

Additional Tips for Success

• Avoid clay-heavy or poorly draining soils.
• Shelter young trees from strong wind or late frosts.
• Consider planting more than one tree to increase cross-pollination and fruit yield (especially for Morus nigra).

Why Buy From Us?

• Hand-selected, quality-assured seeds from reputable suppliers

• Our seeds are stored in the perfect conditions to prolong freshness and viability.

• Growing information provided in the listing

• Ongoing support available from a member of our team if needed

Start your mulberry-growing journey today. Whether you want beautiful trees, nutritious fruit, or a wildlife-friendly garden, White and Black Mulberry Seeds are a long-term investment in natural abundance.