GERARDI mulberry tree

🍇 Gerardi Dwarf Mulberry Tree

🌸 Origin and type

• Name: Gerardi Dwarf
• Species: Morus alba × Morus rubra
• Origin: Discovered by Louis Gerardi in Illinois, United States
• Type: Hybrid dwarf mulberry tree

🌳 Tree characteristics

• Habit: Compact, bushy
• Mature height: Approximately 2 to 3 m
• Hardiness: USDA Zone 4b (down to -25°C)
• Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, tolerates various soil types
• Growth: Slow, short internodes

🍇 Fruit

• Shape: Elongated, cylindrical
• Size: Approximately 3 to 4 cm
• Color: Dark red to black
• Flavor: Sweet, slightly tart
• Harvest: June to August
• Use: Fresh, jams, pastries
• Storage: 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator

🌼 Flowering and pollination

• Flowering: Spring (April to May)
• Pollination: Self-pollination
• Planting distance: 3 to 4 m between trees

🛠️ Cultivation and care

• Planting: Fall or early spring
• Watering: Regular, especially in the first few years
• Pruning: Light, to maintain shape and remove dead wood
• Thinning: Recommended if the tree bears a lot of fruit
• Diseases: Good resistance to common diseases

🍽️ Uses

• Fresh fruit for eating
• Jams, compotes, pastries
• Less suitable for drying or freezing
  

💡 Advantages

✅ Suitable for small gardens thanks to its compact growth habit
✅ Good cold resistance
✅ Harvest spread over several weeks
✅ Good taste

⚠️ Points to watch

• Slow growth, requires patience
• The fruits are fragile and require careful harvesting
• Choose a sheltered location to avoid wind damage