Morus rotundiloba ‘Mojo Berry’® – Dwarf Mulberry ‘Mojo Berry’
Origin and characteristics
Developed from recent horticultural selections, the Mojo Berry is a dwarf mulberry variety bred for a long fruiting season and compact growth. Unlike traditional mulberries, it can produce an abundance of fruit from its first year and maintains a modest height, making it accessible to everyone, even without a garden.
Description and special features
The Mojo Berry is a self-fertile dwarf mulberry with deciduous foliage and flexible branches. It blooms discreetly in spring, then produces numerous small red fruits turning black when ripe, with a sweet flavour reminiscent of wild blackberries.
- Type : Dwarf fruiting shrub
- Mature height : 1.20 to 1.50 m
- Spread : 1.50 m
- Foliage : Deciduous, medium green, oval and serrated
- Flowering : April – May – June (reblooming in August)
- Fruiting : From May to September (October), in successive waves
- Fruits : Red then black, small, elongated, very sweet
- Fragrance : Soft, sweet, fruity
- Self-fertile : Yes
- Hardiness : Good (down to -15 to -18 °C)
- Habit : Compact, rounded, easy to manage
- Lifespan : Long, with proper care
Flowering and fruiting
The discreet flowers give way to delicious fruits in great numbers, often from the first year after planting. The Mojo Berry has the particularity of fruiting on the current year's wood, allowing for a fruiting period spread over several months, from May to September.
The fruits can be eaten fresh, made into jam, used in pastries, or dried.
Exposure and soil
- Exposure : Full sun or partial shade (best production in full sun). Tolerates heat and drought once established.
- Soil : Light, moist, fertile, and well-drained. Tolerates slightly calcareous soils.
- Ideal in pots or in open ground with good compost.
Planting
Plant in spring or autumn, in pots or in the ground. Can be planted year-round if purchased in pots (ensure regular watering).
- In pots: horticultural compost + compost + drainage (clay pebbles or gravel). Use a container at least 30 cm deep, with drainage at the bottom.
- In the ground: enrich the planting hole with well-rotted compost.
Watering
- Regularly in pots, without excess (slightly moist soil).
- In the ground: water during the first year, then only in case of drought.
- Mulching is recommended to retain soil moisture.
Pruning
- Formative pruning after fruiting if needed (late summer or early autumn).
- Remove dead or unbalanced branches.
- Light pruning to maintain a harmonious shape.
Propagation
- By cuttings in summer (fairly easy).
- Protected variety: commercial propagation requires authorisation.
Garden uses
The Mojo Berry is perfect for:
- Small urban or family gardens
- Terraces, patios, or balconies
- Container growing on a plant table
- Edible gardens in raised beds or gourmet borders
- Also ideal for introducing children to gardening!
Disease protection
- Resistant and not prone to many diseases.
- Possible aphid or powdery mildew attacks in very humid weather: monitor and treat if necessary with natural solutions (black soap, nettle manure).
- In pots: ensure good ventilation and avoid overwatering.
Tips for a great harvest
- Place in full sun to encourage abundant production.
- Lightly fertilise in spring (fruit fertiliser or well-rotted compost).
- Prune moderately to balance shape and stimulate fruiting.
- Harvest regularly to encourage further fruiting waves.
The Dwarf Mulberry ‘Mojo Berry’ is a modern, compact, and highly delicious fruit shrub, perfect for small spaces and container growing. Its long harvest period, ease of maintenance, and hardiness make it a top choice for urban gardeners, families, and lovers of fresh fruit within easy reach.