The mulberry is a luscious blackberry-like fruit that grows on trees native to China (Morus alba) and western Asia (Morus nigra). The fruit is an excellent source of protein, iron, calcium, Vitamins A, C, E and K, fiber and B vitamins in addition to resveratrol and other antioxidants. It is also very versatile and can be used fresh or dried, made into jam or wine and is great for baking. Research has shown that white mulberries lower blood sugar and, with all those antioxidants, are very protective of the heart. The fruit is also a favorite of our feathered friends, so much so that mulberry trees are often planted as decoys to keep birds away from other crops. All these benefits make mulberries a great addition to any orchard.
At present, we stock five varieties to suit any space. Dwarf Bush mulberry reaches ten to twenty feet without pruning and produces sweet dark fruit throughout the season. Another dark fruited variety, Pakistan Cooke's Selection produces long, sweet, raspberry-like fruit up to five inches long. White Pakistan also has long, sweet fruit, just white instead of almost black. White mulberry can grow to sixty feet at a moderate rate and produces sweet white fruit that look like blackberries. White Persian fruit is white-pink, large and sweet on a tree that grows to twenty-five feet unpruned. Why not give one of these long-cultivated trees a try in your orchard?
New this season are two terrific nectarines. The first is Candy Sprinkles with dark red, almost burgundy, skin and bright yellow flesh flecked with pink and red. It is a visual and taste treat, superbly flavored with well balanced sweetness and acidity and an underlying tropical taste. The second is Snack Time, also known as Rapunzel. This is a yellow donut nectarine, orange-gold skin with a deep blush and richly flavored flesh that is sweet and juicy with just enough acidity. It is considered one of the very best early nectarines. Last season, Freckle Face joined our nectarine selection and it was a big hit. It is an outstanding yellow variety with intense flavor, high sugar content but with the right amount of acid. The skin is dark red over yellow with speckles, giving the variety its name. It sold out fairly quickly, so if you missed out, be sure to get your order in early!
Black Jack fig has returned to the catalogue after a lengthy absence. A naturally dwarf variety, it is easily kept to six or eight feet and is a very heavy producer of large purple fruit with strawberry colored flesh and sweet flavor. Completely new is Imoto persimmon, similar to Jiro but larger and earlier ripening. It has non-astringent flesh with a sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Another entirely new entry is Rich's Jumbo quince which is a dwarf tree with huge fruit. Lemon yellow skin covers crisp flesh that tastes of apple, pears and pineapple all at once. Pineapple quince is another addition, producing heavy crops of large, golden yellow fruit with white flesh and a slightly tart pineapple taste. The fruit follows a profuse ornamental bloom of large white flowers tinged with pink. Quinces are used for baking, jams and jellies and sometimes as an addition to cider.
In search of a beautiful specimen tree that also produces something yummy to eat? Try a jujube! The weeping form and graceful branches make for a lovely landscape addition. Shiny bright green leaves cover the tree in summer and the winter silhouette is very attractive. As a bonus, insects and diseases tend to leave it alone. The fruit, also known as Chinese date, is reddish to brown with a sweet taste and can be eaten fresh or dried, when it then resembles a date in appearance and taste. We have seven varieties from which to choose - Contorted, GA866, Honey Jar, Lang, Li, Shanxi Li and Sugar Cane. Add one to your orchard this season!