Morus trilobata 'TESI UBALDO'

Three-lobed mulberry is a rare plant possibly from China where it was first described by Chinese botanist Siu Shih Chang. It seems to be non-existent in European horticulture where its place took a much more vigorous and larger-leaved clone, possibly a hybrid of m.alba and m.trilobata called Platanifolia - sometimes filed as a variety, sometimes as a separate species or hybrid which would probably be more accurate.

Deciduous leaves of the Chinese species have three narrow lobes out of which the central one is prominently long. Margins are entire and smooth so the leaf looks like 3 fingers. Unlike Tesi Ubaldo variety. This mulberry is very different. Its leaves are also 3-lobed but the margins are more or less incised with inward, rounded, and very decorative lobes. They are fresh green, quite glossy, and in autumn turn shining yellow in a shade similar to maidenhair autumn foliage.

The tree grows slowly unless it is pollarded or annually cut back in the same manner that plane-leaved mulberries are pruned: cut back previous year's branches leaving only 5-10 cm with 3-5 buds in early spring. New twigs will shoot out and make a handsome, umbrella-shaped canopy in no time. The tree is quite small and looks romantic when the canopy matures so it deserves a nice spot in your garden. Perfect for zen gardens.

Three-lobed mulberry prefers a location sheltered from drying winter winds. It grows in almost any well-drained soil but will thrive in deep, fertile soil, making longer branches and bigger leaves. Fertilizing in spring and summer is beneficial. Fully hardy to -24°C and withstands occasional swings to -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 15-02-2018