Weeping Mulberry Standards

Weeping Mulberry (Morus alba 'Pendula') is a grafted standard: a clear straight trunk topped with long stems that arch down to the ground. It settles at about 3m tall and 2.5m across, so it reads as a proper tree in a courtyard with no room for one. Sweet dark fruit ripens inside the curtain of foliage from late spring, and the leaves turn clear yellow in autumn.

Why you'll love it

• The graft sets the height for you. The head is budded onto a stem at close to its finished height, so it will not push past about 3m like a seedling mulberry.
• Fruit at picking height. Dark sweet mulberries hang within the skirt of foliage from late spring, easy to reach and popular with birds.
• Four seasons in one plant. Fresh green in spring, fruit in early summer, yellow autumn leaves, then a sculptural bare shape through winter.
• Tough once established. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, drought tolerant and wind tolerant, a rare combination in a small feature tree.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One plant is enough. Set it where the shape is seen in the round, at the end of a path or centred in lawn, with 2.5m to 3m of clear space.

Small gardens. The canopy is a dome, not a spreading crown, so it stays clear of fences and eaves.

Pots and containers. A pot 500mm or wider suits it. Potted trees crop a little lighter and need watering through summer, but the shape holds well.

Growing weeping mulberry in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest crop and the best autumn colour. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and frost is no trouble. Constant tropical humidity is the one climate it dislikes.

Soil. Deep, well drained soil is what it wants. Work compost through the backfill and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk. Average soil is fine; ground that stays wet is not.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper to a heavy drink in dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again after fruiting keeps growth strong.

Pruning. Prune in winter while the tree is bare: shorten the trailing stems where they pool on the ground, and thin the head so light reaches the centre. Rub off any shoot below the graft, because that growth comes from the rootstock and will take over.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied in one size, an established 400mm pot with the standard already formed, so the trunk and graft point arrive at close to their finished height. Plants ship upright and braced. Some leaf drop in transit is normal in warm weather, and a dormant winter tree may arrive bare, which is not a fault.

Expect the head to thicken over two seasons and a light crop in the first summer after planting. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to using weeping mulberry as a garden feature.
• Compare varieties in the mulberry tree range.
• Browse other fruit trees for Australian gardens.
• See more feature trees for small spaces.

Common questions

Will it grow taller than 3m?

Not by much. The trunk is a graft and does not extend, so the only height gained comes from the head filling out. Trimming the skirt holds it wherever suits the space.

Does the fruit stain?

Yes. Ripe mulberries drop through early summer and mark pale paving, so keep the tree off a light coloured path. In lawn or a garden bed it causes no trouble.

Can I grow it in a pot long term?

Yes, in a pot at least 500mm wide with good drainage. Water through summer, refresh the top of the mix each spring, and root prune every three to four years.