STANDARD / Morus alba 'Pendula' 1.8m

Weeping Mulberry

Botanical Name: Morus alba 'Pendula' (standard)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: China (East Asia)
Plant Type: Deciduous tree (grafted standard)

Overview

Morus alba ‘Pendula’ (standard, typically grafted at ~1.8 m) forms a graceful umbrella canopy with cascading branches—perfect for statement planting in Adelaide gardens. Fresh bronze-tinged spring leaves mature to lush green for summer shade, then glow yellow in autumn. Unlike fruitless ‘Chaparral’, ‘Pendula’ is usually fruiting, giving sweet, dark mulberries in summer—beautiful, but best placed away from paving due to potential staining.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 2–3.5 m H × 2–4 m W (as a maintained standard)
• Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Mid-green, glossy, often heart-shaped leaves; bronze tint on new growth; yellow autumn colour
• Flowers: Inconspicuous spring catkins; followed by edible dark-purple/black mulberries in summer (birds love them)
  
• Seasonal Interest: Spring flush and blossom; dense summer shade with fruit; golden autumn foliage; elegant winter framework
• Wildlife Value: Fruit provides seasonal food for birds; dense canopy offers shelter (flowers have minimal nectar)
• Tolerance: Heat-, wind- and drought-tolerant once established; frost hardy; handles urban conditions; avoid waterlogging
• Planting Density: Avenue/specimen: 1 tree per 9–16 m² (space 3–4 m apart), depending on desired canopy
• Pet Friendly: Yes — fruit/leaves generally non-toxic; unripe fruit or large quantities may upset stomachs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun (best canopy density, fruiting and autumn colour)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam; add organic matter; avoid chronically wet sites
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; rarely in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Winter prune to shape the weeping framework and keep skirts off the ground; remove any shoots from below the graft; light summer tip-prune to tidy; mulch in spring; slow-release feed in early spring. Consider bird netting in fruiting season and site away from paving/cars to avoid stains
• Lifespan: 25–50+ years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate & Mediterranean SA gardens; shelter from heavy coastal salt spray
• Soil pH: Slightly acid to neutral (≈6.0–7.2); tolerates mildly alkaline with added organic matter

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Feature over lawns or near seating for living shade
• Avenues of standards along paths/driveways for a classic umbrella rhythm
• Large statement pots (50–60 cm+) in courtyards; underplant with low, silver or blue groundcovers for contrast

Why You Will Love It

Romantic, cascading form with real seasonal drama—spring flush, cool summer shade and golden autumn leaves—plus delicious summer fruit. In Adelaide’s climate it’s tough, fast and easy to shape into a picture-perfect weeping silhouette.