Description
The berries are large, dark, and richly flavored when fully ripe, delivering classic mulberry sweetness with a soft, juicy texture. This staggered ripening habit makes Illinois Everbearing especially enjoyable for fresh eating, since fruit can be picked repeatedly as it reaches peak quality.
The tree itself is vigorous and adaptable, tolerating a wide range of growing conditions while remaining productive year after year.
For growers who want consistent fruit rather than a one-week glut, Illinois Everbearing remains a standout choice.
Overview
- Extended, uneven ripening over much of the summer
- Large, sweet mulberries with classic flavor
- Reliable producer once established
- Cold-hardy and adaptable
- Self-fertile
Growing Details
Latin Name: Morus alba × Morus rubra ‘Illinois Everbearing’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 4
Rootstock: Russian mulberry (Morus alba tatarica)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 15-20 ft tall and wide without pruning
Flowering: Spring; inconspicuous catkins (not showy)
Ripening Time: Early summer through late summer; timing varies by climate
Pollination: Self-fertile
Pests & Diseases: Generally low-maintenance with few serious issues
Yield: Productive over a long season once mature
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: The real value of Illinois Everbearing isn’t just fruit quality—it’s timing. By ripening unevenly over weeks rather than days, it turns mulberry season into a steady rhythm instead of a short scramble. We keep our in ground specimens pruned to roughly 8′ tall and let them sprawl out wide.
- Regional Insight: Performs especially well in cold-winter regions and the Midwest, but also succeeds in the Pacific Northwest and other temperate climates.
- Harvest fruit as it fully darkens and softens for best flavor.
- Excellent for fresh eating; surplus fruit can be dried or processed.
- Explore more mulberries in our collection: Mulberry Trees
