Illinois Everbearing is one of the best mulberry varieties you can grow. A cross between the white and red mulberry, it combines the hardiness of one with the rich flavor of the other.
This tree is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 10, surviving temperatures down to -20F while also thriving in summer heat and poor soils. It grows quickly, adding 3 to 5 feet a year and maturing into a 20 to 30 ft shade tree. Its foliage is also attractive, with deeply carved, oak-like leaves that add ornamental value to the tree. Some trees even fruit in their first year.
The long, everbearing season is one of its biggest strengths. Berries about an inch and a half long ripen steadily from July into September, instead of all at once. They are sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy, often considered the best-tasting mulberries. Each tree can yield 15 to 25 pounds of fruit by its second or third year.
Illinois Everbearing is low-maintenance, generally free of pests and diseases, and easy to establish. Plant it for the fruit, the quick shade, or the wildlife it attracts. With good care, this tree can be a long-lived part of your garden.
