Description
Mojo Berry® is a compact, fruiting mulberry developed specifically for gardeners who want real mulberries without a full-size tree. Unlike standard mulberries that quickly outgrow small spaces, Mojo Berry® stays remarkably dwarf, making it well suited to containers, patios, borders, and small gardens.
This variety was originally developed by Japanese breeder Hajime Matsunaga and is botanically classified as Morus rotundiloba. It is also known under the name ’Charlotte Russe’ in some markets. Mojo Berry® gained international recognition after being named RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year in 2017—an acknowledgment of both its ornamental appeal and its unique fruiting habit.
Under good conditions, Mojo Berry® is known for fruiting at a young age and for producing berries over a longer window than most mulberries. Fruit ripens red before turning black when fully ripe, and plants may set fruit on both older wood and new growth—helping explain the extended harvest period reported by many growers.
In real-world growing, Mojo Berry® lives up to its reputation for staying small. Even when planted in the ground, it maintains a compact stature compared to traditional mulberries, and in containers it remains especially well behaved with minimal pruning.
Overview
- True dwarf mulberry suited to containers and small gardens
- Sweet, dark berries that ripen from red to black
- Extended harvest window compared to standard mulberries
- Recognized as RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year (2017)
- Self-fertile and easy to grow
Growing Details
Latin Name: Morus rotundiloba ’Mojo Berry®’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA Zone 7–10
Rootstock: Own-root (propagated vegetatively from cuttings)
Bearing Age: Often fruits very young; may set fruit in its first season under good conditions
Size at Maturity: Typically 3–5 ft in containers; 5–7 ft in ground
Flowering: Spring; inconspicuous catkins (not showy)
Ripening Time: Late spring through summer; timing varies by climate
Pollination: Self-fertile
Pests & Diseases: Generally low-maintenance with few serious issues
Yield: Moderate to heavy for a dwarf plant once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Mojo Berry® stands apart because it genuinely stays small. In our growing, it maintains its dwarf habit exactly as advertised—something that’s rare among mulberries.
- Regional Insight: Best suited to warm and temperate climates; in cooler regions, container growing with winter protection helps maintain vigor and fruiting.
- For best flavor, harvest when berries are fully black and soft.
- Fruit is delicate and best enjoyed fresh or processed promptly.
- Explore more mulberries in our collection: Mulberry Trees
