Mulberry trees have been growing in Germany for a long time, have been almost forgotten and are now experiencing a renaissance - and rightly so, because the juicy fruits taste excellent and the trees decorate parks and gardens.
Are there mulberries in Germany?
Mulberry trees, especially the white and black mulberries, thrive well in Germany and are cultivated as useful and ornamental plants. They are easy to care for, relatively resistant to diseases and pests and their juicy fruits taste excellent.
The History of Mulberries
Friedrich I brought the white mulberry to Germany and gave it a lot of importance. At that time, the mulberry tree was used for silk production. The silkworms fed on its leaves; they did not eat anything else. The cocoons were then processed into raw silk.
Silk production was an important economic sector in southern Europe and shaped entire regions. At the beginning of the 20th century, cheap imported goods from China came to Europe, which largely brought European silk production to a standstill. Occasionally you can still find the white mulberry on old avenues.
Mulberries today
Numerous species of mulberries are cultivated as useful and ornamental plants. In Germany, the white and black mulberries are particularly well known. However, the red mulberry is becoming increasingly important. Its gnarled growth makes it particularly decorative.
The mulberry generally copes well with the climate in Germany, but cold winds are not particularly good for the frost-sensitive black mulberry. It thrives best in wine-growing regions because it prefers the same climate as the wine.
Ornamental forms of the white mulberry are particularly popular in parks, because the strongly colored fruits of the black mulberry are not desired near traffic areas. In addition, the white mulberry is less sensitive to frost.
The mulberry in the home garden
The easy-care mulberry is also suitable for garden beginners. It is relatively resistant to diseases and pests. A complicated cut is not necessary, just a permeable soil, enough irrigation water and regular fertilization. Then you can look forward to a large amount of fresh, juicy mulberries.
Tips & Tricks
You can get various mulberry trees in well-stocked nurseries (€15.00 on Amazon). Let us advise you on which variety best meets your needs. The name only says a limited amount about the color of the fruit. The fruits of the red mulberry can be almost black, those of the white mulberry can also be light purple.
