Pakistan Mulberries: Exotic Trees with Record-Long Fruit

The white, red and black Himalayan mulberry varieties for patios and winter gardens

Himalayan mulberries of the species Morus macroura are among the most fascinating fruit trees you can grow on your patio. Their fruit reaches a length you will never see on common mulberries – from 7 up to an astonishing 12 centimetres. In this article we introduce three rare varieties imported from Islamabad, Pakistan, in the 1980s: the snow-white 'Pakistan White', the deep-red 'Pakistan Red' and the legendary purple-black 'Pakistan Black'.

12 cm
maximum fruit length
20+ °Brix
sugar content
Year 2
first fruiting
Jun–Aug
harvest period

A shared origin of three sisters

All three varieties originate from the Himalayan region encompassing Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal and northern India. Cuttings of the rare white selection were obtained in 1986 by George A. White, a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), directly from the city of Islamabad. The black 'Pakistan Black' is the original classic selection, from which the coloured mutations – white and red – later emerged or were discovered alongside it.

What is parthenocarpy?
All three Pakistan mulberries are parthenocarpic – they set fruit entirely without pollination and without the presence of another mulberry. This is why their fruit is juicy and almost seedless. They bear on one-year-old shoots.

Three varieties, three characters

'Pakistan White'

An exotic gem with creamy-white to pale-yellow fruit measuring 10 to 12 cm. The flavour is intensely honey-sweet with notes of sugar melon and a sugar content above 20 °Brix with minimal acidity. The key advantage is that the pale fruit does not stain paving – ideal for patios and pathways. It ripens gradually from late June to late August and starts fruiting as early as the second year.

'Pakistan Red'

A large-fruited variety with elongated cylindrical fruit measuring 7 to 8 cm and weighing 8 to 10 g. At full ripeness it takes on an enticing deep-red colour and an original, distinctly sweet and aromatic seedless flavour. A major advantage is that the ripe fruit does not drop and holds firmly on the tree. It begins growth earlier than our native species and ripens from late June to mid-August.

'Pakistan Black'

The true king among mulberries and the most sought-after of the trio. The thin cylindrical fruit commonly reaches 8 to 10 cm, and up to 12 cm under excellent conditions, shifting during ripening from green through red to purple-black. The flavour is exceptionally rich – intensely sweet with a delicate, balanced acidity reminiscent of a blend of blackberries and raspberries. The fruit has a firmer texture and does not fall apart easily during harvest.

The flavour of 'Pakistan Black' is considered one of the finest among all mulberries – its sweet depth is complemented by a gentle acidity that makes it unforgettable.

Variety comparison

Trait White Red Black
Fruit colour creamy white deep red purple-black
Fruit length 10–12 cm 7–8 cm 8–12 cm
Flavour honey-sweet, melon sweet, aromatic sweet with acidity
Stains paving no slightly yes, heavily
Cold hardiness to -15 °C to -15 °C to -12 to -15 °C

Growing in our climate

A shared characteristic of all three varieties is their reduced cold hardiness. They withstand frost only down to roughly -15 °C, which rules out year-round cultivation in open ground in Central European conditions. They are therefore grown as portable container plants and require overwintering in an unheated greenhouse, garage or winter garden. In containers they grow to a height of 2 to 3 metres and are easily maintained by pruning.

Caution: Pakistan mulberries leaf out and flower very early in spring, which makes them prone to damage from late frosts. Do not move the container out of its winter quarters too soon – wait until the risk of late frost has passed.

Health and care

The good news is that all three varieties have excellent natural resistance to diseases and pests. They can be grown completely without chemicals, making them suitable for organic cultivation. Their high ornamental value is rounded off by enormous heart-shaped leaves and a slightly weeping habit that lends a tropical, decorative appearance.

Quick selection guide

White – if you want a clean, stain-free patio and a honey-sweet flavour.

Red – if you value fruit that does not drop and holds on the tree.

Black – if you are after the most complex flavour and the longest fruit.

Grow exotic fruit at home

Our Pakistan mulberries 'White', 'Red' and 'Black' will reward you with record-long fruit right on your patio. Pick your favourite from our range of hardy, organically grown saplings ready for a successful start.

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