Origin
Mediterranean
Light
Full sun
Watering
Weekly
Care
Moderate
Flowering
Flowering
Edible & Fruit
Mûrier
The tree that funded the Silk Road: dense summer shade, black fruit that stains everything, and remarkable drought tolerance.
Care Profile
A guide to ensuring your botanical companion thrives.
Origin
China
Light
Full sun
Watering
Weekly
Maintenance
Easy
The silk tree
Native to China, the mulberry fed for centuries the silkworms whose rearing financed the trade routes between Asia and the Mediterranean.
Now a shade tree throughout the Maghreb, it builds dense foliage within a few years, tolerates drought once established, and drops black fruit that stains permanently.
"The mulberry clothed empires before it shaded courtyards."
01
Styling Tip 01
Full sun
Plant it in full sun and away from walls: its crown spreads widely within a few seasons.
02
Styling Tip 02
Establishment watering
Water regularly for the first two years; after that an established tree crosses summer on very little.
03
Styling Tip 03
Siting and pruning
Avoid terraces and walkways, which its fruit stains, and prune in winter to contain its vigour.
Similar plants
More botanical treasures to discover.
Origin
Mediterranean
Light
Full sun
Watering
Rarely
Care
Easy
Flowering
Flowering