Morus alba Bistro -White Mulberry

Morus alba 'Bistro' is a rare fruit variety of White Mulberry, sought after for its abundant and high-quality production. It is also a beautiful shade tree with abundant deciduous foliage that turns golden yellow in autumn. It produces an abundance of large fruits that are violet to almost black when fully ripe. They are harvested for about 5 weeks, usually in the heart of summer. The fruits are edible, delicious, juicy, and sweet. The 'Bistro' White Mulberry is self-fertile, but cross-pollination produces higher quality fruits. It is therefore advisable to plant another White Mulberry like 'Giant Fruit' nearby.

Morus alba 'Bistro' is a variety of White Mulberry of Polish origin. It is a cultivar derived from the common Chinese Mulberry. This deciduous tree belongs to the Moraceae family and produces latex in its tissues, like all members of its family. Originally from Mongolia and India.

The 'Bistro' White Mulberry forms a tree with a rather short and thick trunk, topped by a widely conical crown. When mature, its dimensions range between 6 and 8 m in height and 5 to 6 m in width. Its growth is rapid during the first years, then slows down. Its Light grey bark cracks to become thicker, and then turns grey-brown. The deciduous leaves are polymorphous, meaning that their appearance can vary depending on their position on the branches. They are usually entire but can be lobed. Each leaf measures 6 to 8 cm in diameter and 10 to 20 cm in length, with an irregularly toothed margin. The shiny upper surface is pale green, turning golden yellow in autumn. The White Mulberry typically develops male or female flowers in different locations on the same plant, usually in May. Its inconspicuous flowering consists of male or female catkins composed of tiny green-yellow flowers. From early July, the female flowers produce ovoid fleshy fruits, measuring 3 to 4 cm in length. They successively change from white to pink and dark violet, almost becoming black when ripe. The fruits of this variety are edible and have a pleasant taste. They are highly sought after by both gardeners and birds. The White Mulberry's root system, both taproot and running, does not tolerate transplanting well. Its vigour requires planting it at a respectable distance from buildings.

Morus alba 'Bistro' thrives in fertile, well-worked, and well-drained soil in a hot and sunny location. It tolerates pollution but not coastal conditions. It can be planted in an orchard or a large fruit hedge, alongside blackthorns, 'Mirabelle de Nancy' plum trees, 'Westerveld' medlar trees, male dogwoods, and other saskatoon juneberries, to the delight of birds. It can also be a beautiful specimen planted alone in the middle of a lawn or near the terrace to provide much-needed shade in summer. The fruit of the 'Bistro' White Mulberry is suitable for direct consumption, drying, freezing, and various preparations such as jams, preserves, and syrups.