Morus rotundiloba Mojo Berry - Mullberry

The Bonbonberry® 'Mojo Berry' Dwarf Mulberry is a recent variety with exceptional qualities. It forms a bushy subject with a particularly compact size, about 1.50 m (5 ft) in all directions, ideal for growing in pots on the terrace or balcony, in vegetable beds or even in an ornamental garden. In short, for all places where space is limited! 'Mojo Berry' also stands out for its rapid fruiting: it bears fruit on the wood of the current year, no need to wait to be delighted by its delicious little fruits. This charming mulberry will be loved by both children and adults. It produces fruits in a continuous manner from summer to autumn. Easy to maintain, hardy, resistant to diseases... a guaranteed success!

The Morus or mulberry belongs to the family of Moraceae. Like all members of its family, it produces latex in its tissues. Morus rotundiloba is believed to be a cross between the white mulberry (M. alba) native to Mongolia and India, and the black mulberry (M. nigra), native to the Middle East and Central Asia and introduced to the Mediterranean basin since ancient times. Both species form medium-sized trees, reaching about ten metres in all directions when mature.

The Bonbonberry® 'Mojo Berry' variety, sometimes known as 'Charlotte Russe', was selected by Hajime Matsunaga. Its qualities were recognised at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in 2017, where it was voted "Plant of the Year". This dwarf mulberry naturally has a compact habit, usually not exceeding 1.50 m (5 ft) in height and spread. The deciduous foliage is polymorphous, meaning that the appearance of the leaves can vary depending on their position on the branches. They are alternate, with petioles, either simple and heart-shaped, or divided into 3 to 7 lobes of varying depth, with irregularly toothed margins. The upper surface of the shiny lamina is pale green, turning golden yellow in autumn. This self-pollinating variety develops male or female flowers throughout the summer on different parts of the same plant. Pollination is carried out by insects such as bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. The flowers are followed by abundant ovoid fleshy fruits, almost black when ripe, edible and with a slightly acidic taste. They are actually composed of small drupes clustered together, which detach very easily from the bush when ripe. With 'Mojo Berry', the fruits can be harvested for a very long period, from May to September. This is due to the fact that this exceptional variety bears fruits on both old and new wood, significantly extending the harvest. As a result, fruiting occurs from the first year, unlike other mulberry species.

The Bonbonberry® 'Mojo Berry' Mulberry, very hardy, grows in fertile, well-worked, and well-drained soil, in a warm and sunny location. It tolerates pollution well but is sensitive to coastal areas and sea spray. This beautiful variety will find its place in a small fruit hedge, along with blackthorns, mirabelle plums, medlars, viburnums, and dogwoods, much to the delight of birds. Both decorative and delicious, it is particularly suitable for growing in pots on the terrace or balcony, in vegetable beds, in an ornamental garden, or even along the edges of vegetable gardens. When grown in pots, make sure to water regularly, as the soil dries out more quickly than in open ground. The fruits can be consumed fresh or as jellies, jams, or syrups.