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Mulberries by
Royal appointment

Sue Stickland had special permission to visit the National Collection of mulberries in the grounds of Buckingham Palace and discovered a rich fruit in taste and history

When King James I planted four acres of black mulberries in a walled garden in Westminster, his intention was to use them for rearing silkworms and hence develop a silk industry to rival the one in France. Little did he know that, 400 years later, his enthusiasm for the trees would help inspire royal interest in a very different kind of mulberry project – one that could ultimately help 21st century gardeners enjoy this forgotten fruit.

Sadly, James’s famous Mulberry Garden has long gone, and the site is now engulfed by the buildings and grounds of Buckingham Palace. However, mulberry trees have always had a place in the
Palace garden, and recently the ‘Royal Household’ became holders of the National Collection of this stately species. Under the National Plant Collection scheme, run by the NCCPG (National Council for the Conservation of Plants in Gardens), individuals or organisations undertake to document and develop a collection of a particular group of plants, and preserve it for the future.

As I found out on a rarely allowed visit behind the scenes, the garden at Buckingham Palace is an ideal place for the mulberry (morus) collection. As well as the historical connection, it has the warm sheltered environment which many of the trees need to thrive. “It also has the space,” explained Mark Lane, the gardens manager, as we strode through the 39 acres of gardens behind the Palace. I had gone in through strict security at the side of the Palace in Buckingham Gate, and I am surprised when he tells me that we are now near Hyde Park Corner – there is only a faint rumble of traffic.

In this garden, together with the one at Kensington Palace, there are around 29 different types of mulberry plus several old established black mulberry trees. A duplicate collection is being propagated and planted in the grounds at Windsor, as a safeguard against damage and disease.

The black mulberry

The black mulberry (Morus niger) is the mulberry of English folklore, and the one most frequently grown here for its fruit. It normally forms a small attractive tree (up to 9m/30ft tall) with a rounded crown and large green heart-shaped leaves which turn yellow in autumn. However, in small gardens mulberries can be grown in pots or trained to restrict their growth.

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