Mulberry trees have been growing in Germany for a long time, have almost been forgotten and are experiencing a renaissance today - rightly so, because the juicy fruits taste excellent and the trees adorn parks and gardens.
The History of Mulberries
Friedrich I brought the white mulberry to Germany and gave it some importance. At that time, the mulberry tree was used for silk production. The silkworms ate their leaves, they didn't eat anything else. The cocoons were then processed into raw silk.
Silk production was an important branch of the economy 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 mulberry are cultivated as useful but also as ornamental plants. In Germany, 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, only cold wind does not do the frost-sensitive black mulberry particularly well. 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 coloring fruits of the black mulberry are not wanted in the vicinity of 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 pruning is not necessary, just a permeable soil, enough irrigation water and regular fertilization. Then you can look forward to a large quantity of fresh juicy mulberries.
tips and tricks
You can get a variety of mulberry trees in well-stocked nurseries. Let us advise you which variety best fulfills your wishes. The name only says something about the color of the fruit to a limited extent. The fruits of the red mulberry can be almost black, those of the white mulberry can also be light purple.