White Mulberry 'Chelsea'

Morus alba 'Chelsea', often associated with the historic St. James's Park selection, is a distinctive and rare form of the white mulberry. Although the species is famous for being the primary food source for silkworms, this particular cultivar is prized for its ornamental value and its edible, though slightly different, fruit. It forms a medium-sized tree with a spreading, slightly weeping crown and large, heart-shaped, bright green leaves that turn a striking yellow in autumn. The fruits are shaped like elongated blackberries, ripening from white/green to a reddish pink or even dark purple depending on the specific clone and local conditions. They have a sweet, mild flavour without the acidic tang of the black mulberry. It is fully hardy in most of the UK but performs best in the warmer southern counties. It thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot sheltered from cold, drying winds. Once established, it is a long-lived and stately addition to a large garden or parkland setting.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May.