Red mulberry (Morus rubra 'Super Dwarf')

Overview

The Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ cultivar offers the structure of the native Red mulberry in a uniquely compact form suitable for smaller landscapes or rock gardens. Discovered as a witches’-broom mutation, this slow-growing dwarf shrub exhibits tightly packed branches and significantly smaller foliage compared to its towering parent tree. Gardeners appreciate this variety for its manageable size, offering interesting texture without overwhelming space constraints.

While the full-sized Red mulberry is known for its edible, dark purple fruit, flowering and fruiting capability in the ‘Super Dwarf’ introduction are currently unknown or rarely observed. This dwarf form is valued primarily for its evergreen structure and low-profile habit, making it a unique textural element. It requires medium care but rewards dedicated gardeners with dependable growth within its appropriate hardiness range.

Its versatility allows it to fit comfortably where a standard tree cannot, offering a dense, rounded shape ideal for foreground planting or specimen interest. When planning your garden, consider the needs of Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ for rich soil and consistent moisture to ensure the best performance from this unique cultivar of Red mulberry.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Moraceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-3 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: March to April
• Bloom Description: Insignicant
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Planting Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ should occur when conditions favor root establishment, ideally in spring or fall, avoiding the stress of summer heat. This shrub thrives best when set into rich, moist, well-drained soils. Although it tolerates part shade, ensure sufficient light for the best growth habit, as full sun is generally preferred for optimal development of the dwarf structure.

Consistent watering is crucial, particularly during the establishment phase, matching its medium water needs. Fertilization should be light; excessive feeding can encourage legginess, counteracting the desired dwarf form. If pruning is necessary, schedule it for late fall or winter; pruning during active growth can cause the sap to bleed excessively from the cuts, which is a notable characteristic of the species.

Maintenance is moderate, largely focused on monitoring for potential pest issues common to the larger Red mulberry relatives. Remember that ‘Super Dwarf’ may produce viable seed, leading to some proliferation of standard trees nearby if reproductive viability is confirmed. Easily grown from cuttings, propagation efforts should target maintaining the genetic traits of Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’.

Landscape Uses

The compact, dense habit of Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ makes it an excellent choice for situations demanding low-growing structure. Due to the concerns associated with the fruit of standard Red mulberry—namely staining walkways, vehicles, and patios—this dwarf, potentially non-fruiting cultivar is a safer bet near residential hardscaping. This makes the Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ ideal for use as a neat border plant along paths or in foundation plantings where low height is essential.

Consider placing this shrub in contemporary rock gardens or alpine settings where its small, textured leaves and tight mound shape will provide contrast against stone or gravel mulch. If your objective is to incorporate a piece of native genus structure without the substantial size commitment of the tree form, this cultivar is highly suitable. While companion planting suggestions are broad, utilize plants with similar medium moisture needs and sun tolerance in the surrounding design.

Standout Features

Noteworthy Characteristics

Morus rubra, commonly known as red mulberry, is noted for its variable leaves, milky sap, reddish-brown bark, and edible fruits on the standard form. The ‘Super Dwarf’ cultivar, discovered as a witches’-broom, is a slow-growing dwarf shrub featuring one-quarter size leaves on tightly packed branches, growing only 2 to 3 ft tall and wide, making it especially suitable for rock gardens. Its suitability is currently centered on its architectural form, as its fruiting habits remain uncertain.

Tolerances

Potential Problems

While the Red mulberry generally avoids severe pest or disease issues, gardeners should remain vigilant. Borers can pose a threat, especially in warmer southern climates. Watch for common issues like whiteflies, scale, mites, and mealybugs that may colonize the dense foliage. Diseases such as bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and root rot require good air circulation and proper soil drainage to prevent. Management often involves targeted treatments or ensuring cultural conditions, like drainage, are optimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ suitable for?

The Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ is generally considered hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.

How large does Red mulberry grow?

The ‘Super Dwarf’ cultivar is specifically bred to remain small, typically reaching only 2 to 3 feet in both height and spread at maturity.

What sun exposure does Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ need?

This dwarf shrub prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, making it adaptable to various landscape locations.

When does Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ bloom?

If it blooms, the insignificant flowers of this selection appear relatively early in the season, typically between March and April.

Conclusion

The Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ is a standout choice for gardeners seeking the lineage of the native Red mulberry in a perfectly scaled, low-mounding shrub. Its compact size and medium maintenance requirements make it an invaluable textural element for specialized gardens like rockeries. Always confirm your local hardiness zone matches USDA Zones 5-9 before planting this unique cultivar.

Companion Planting

Selecting companions for $Morus rubra$ ‘Super Dwarf’ is simplified by focusing on plants that share its preference for rich, moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun exposure. Consider pairing it with low-growing ferns, such as Japanese Painted Fern ($Athyrium niponicum$), which enjoy similar dappled light conditions and moisture levels, creating a lush understory effect near the smooth texture of the dwarf shrub.

Groundcovers that spread slowly and tolerate somewhat bright conditions, like selected varieties of wild ginger ($Asarum$), can help suppress weeds immediately around the base of the $Morus rubra$ ‘Super Dwarf’ without competing aggressively for root space. Ensure any companion plant does not mature to a height that would obscure the desired low profile of this compact Red mulberry cultivar.

Propagation Tips

Propagation of this unique Morus rubra ‘Super Dwarf’ is best accomplished through cuttings taken from semi-hardwood growth. Softwood or hardwood cuttings can also be attempted, though success rates depend heavily on timing and the use of appropriate rooting hormones to encourage establishment. Because this plant originated as a witches’-broom, maintaining its clonal identity via asexual propagation is essential to ensure the resulting plants retain the desirable dwarf habit.

Growing new plants from seed, if the female plant were to fruit, is not recommended for preserving the ‘Super Dwarf’ characteristics, as seedlings would likely revert to the standard, much larger Red mulberry tree phenotype. Focus your propagation efforts strictly on cuttings to guarantee the retention of the 2 to 3 ft size parameter inherent in this valuable landscape introduction.