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15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
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Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🍇 Unryu Corkscrew Mulberry (Morus alba ‘Unryu’) — 4″ Starter Size 🌿
A living sculpture that also feeds you. With dragon-like, zig-zag branches and sweet, deep-purple berries, ‘Unryu’ turns every season into a show. Keep it compact for patios and courtyards, let it stand as a sculptural focal tree, or train it as a bonsai-style container specimen. You’ll get four-season beauty plus a light but tasty harvest—proof that form and function can share the same tree.
🌿 Quick Facts (At-a-Glance)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Morus alba ‘Unryu’ |
| Common Name | Unryu / Corkscrew Mulberry |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting tree (ornamental + edible) |
| Size at Sale (Ships In) | 4″ container |
| Mature Size (Unpruned) | 20–30 ft tall × 15–40 ft wide (bigger on ideal sites) |
| Managed Size (Pruned) | Typically 8–15 ft for homes & containers |
| USDA Zones | 5–8 reliably (4 with protection); performance varies in 9 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hrs/day) |
| Cold Hardiness | Hardy to Zone 5 once established |
| Growth Habit | Contorted, zig-zag “corkscrew” branching; semi-weeping canopy |
| Spacing | 8–10 ft (managed) • 15–20+ ft (unpruned) |
| Origin of Cultivar | Selected in Japan; name evokes “dragon in the clouds” |
Why Choose ‘Unryu’? (Top Benefits)
- Sculptural beauty 365 days/year: Powerful winter silhouette; fresh green spring canopy; golden fall color.
- Edible + ornamental: Small–medium, deep-purple berries—mild, sweet, kid-approved.
- Compact & container-friendly: Easy to keep 8–12 ft; great for patios, entry beds, and courtyards.
- Cold-hardy: Performs in temperate climates where many “tropical” mulberries struggle.
- Wildlife value: Nectar/pollen for insects; fruit for birds—harvest promptly to keep your share.
⚠️ Realistic expectations: ‘Unryu’ is lighter-yielding than heavy production cultivars (like Thai Dwarf, World’s Best, Hunter, or Tice). Choose ‘Unryu’ for showpiece form + snackable fruit, not for bulk harvests.
🍇 Fruit & Harvest
- Flavor: Mild, sweet, juicy; perfect for fresh snacking, oatmeal/yogurt toppers, simple jams, and dehydrating.
- Fruit Size: Small–medium, deep purple when ripe.
- Season:
- Temperate (Zones 5–8): Typically July–September
- Florida/Southeast: Late spring → early summer (earlier with warmth)
- Boosting yields: Annual size-control pruning stimulates fresh fruiting wood and keeps the tree compact and productive.
Harvest cue: Pick when berries are fully dark and release with a gentle tug.
🌾 Seasonal Habits (What to Expect All Year)
- Spring: Bud-break, zig-zag twigs leaf out, flowers set on new growth.
- Late Spring–Summer: Fruit ripens (deeper purple with sun); lush green canopy.
- Fall: Leaves turn yellow and drop—normal dormancy.
- Winter: Bare branches showcase a striking, twisted framework—peak “wow” season for architecture lovers.
Florida note: In warm regions, earlier fruiting is normal. Periodic leaf spotting in wet seasons is cosmetic; prune off worst leaves—fresh growth follows quickly.
🧺 Culinary Uses
Fresh snacking • Simple jams/preserves • Cobblers/galettes • Smoothies & yogurt/oatmeal toppers • Dried snacks or tea blends
Nutritional note: Mulberries naturally contain anthocyanins/polyphenols, vitamin C, and iron—tasty and functional.
🪴 Container & Patio Growing (Bonsai-friendly!)
- Pot sizes:
- 4″ starter → 3–5 gal
- 1-gal plant → 7–10 gal
- Soil: Well-draining, soil-based mix (refresh annually).
- Root care: Root-prune every 2–3 years to maintain vigor and size.
- Placement: Full sun outdoors; not suited for long-term indoor culture.
Best Practices for Planting & Care
The GreenDreams “High & Tight” Method
- Dig hole just wider than pot, same depth.
- Set root ball 1–2″ above grade (root flare visible).
- Backfill with native soil + compost; firm gently.
- Mulch 2–3″ hardwood chips, pulled away from trunk.
- Water daily for week 1, then 1–2×/week through the first season.
▶️ How-to video: GreenDreams “High & Tight” Fruit Tree Planting — https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
Watering
- Establishment: frequent, light at first → taper to deep, infrequent soaks.
- Containers: keep evenly moist in heat; never waterlog.
Fertility (Organic & Regenerative)
- Top-dress with compost + biochar + minerals (azomite) each spring.
- Chop-and-drop companions (see below) create free, slow-release fertility and living mulch.
✂️ Pruning (Key for Form and Fruit)
Mulberries can “bleed” sap if pruned out of season.
- Best window: Late fall → mid-winter (dormant) for structural cuts.
- Avoid: Heavy cuts in early spring or late summer.
- In season: Tip-prune lightly for shape.
- Goal: Maintain 8–12 ft for easy access and dense, architectural branching.
🌱 Companions & Regenerative Fertility
Temperate gardens (Zones 5–8):
- Comfrey (where it thrives) for mineral-rich green mulch
- Clover for nitrogen & living groundcover
- Spring bulbs for understory interest
Florida / Warm Zone options (no comfrey required):
- 🌻 Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) — nitrogen-rich green mulch
- 🌾 Fakahatchee Grass (Tripsacum dactyloides, Zones 9–11) — carbon canes for brown mulch; strong structure
- 🌱 Pigeon Pea — nitrogen fixer & pollinator flowers
- 🌿 Sunn Hemp (summer cover crop) — helps suppress root-knot nematodes; adds organic matter
Chop-and-Drop basics: Cut companion biomass and drop it in place under the canopy. Blending green (N) with brown (C) mulch creates a balanced, slow-release fertilizer layer that feeds soil life—no synthetics needed.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Organic Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing/spotted leaves | Rain splash, seasonal turnover | Remove worst leaves; improve airflow; new growth follows |
| Weak fruiting | Lack of sun or minimal pruning | Ensure full sun; annual size-control pruning |
| Sap bleeding | Pruned during active growth | Save major cuts for dormancy |
| Fruit drop in heat | Water stress | Deep-water weekly in drought; maintain mulch |
| Branch breakage | Twigs are contorted/fragile | Stake young trees in wind; prune thoughtfully |
| Scale/whitefly (occasional) | Environmental stress | Neem/insecticidal soap; encourage predators |
| RKN in sandy soils (warm zones) | Root-knot nematodes | Sunn hemp cover crop; compost + mulch; raised beds/containers |
⚠️ Cautions
- Fruit stains hardscape—site away from patios/driveways/vehicles.
- Fragile twigs: Contorted branches can snap if bent—handle gently.
- Avoid soggy soils and deep shade.
🌟 Is ‘Unryu’ Right for You?
✅ Ideal for: Design-forward gardeners, edible-ornamental lovers, small spaces/patios, temperate climates, bonsai/collector projects.
❌ Not ideal for: Growers seeking maximum fruit volume (choose Thai Dwarf, World’s Best, Hunter, or Tice for heavy crops), wet lowland sites, or long-term indoor growing.
🚚 Shipping & Local Pickup
- Shipping sizes: 4″ and 1-gallon (larger sizes for local pickup).
- Best shipping regions: Florida, the Southeast & Texas (UPS Ground; ships Mondays).
- Transit tip: 4″ plants dry out faster and may need 2–3 weeks of filtered light + consistent moisture to recover from shipping, especially in northern/western routes or during temperature extremes.
- Dormancy: Plants may ship leafless in cool months—normal for deciduous trees.
Local Pickup:
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm • 18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM • Come see what’s fresh 🌿
🌸 Mulberry Variety Comparison Guide — GreenDreams Collection
| Cultivar | Zones / Cold Resilience | Mature / Pruned Size | Flavor Profile | Fruit Size | Leaf Size | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Dwarf | 6–10 / ~15°F | 12–15 ft / 6–8 ft | Sweet-tart, blueberry-raspberry | Med (1–1.5″) | Medium | Compact, container-friendly, fruits fast |
| World’s Best | 7–10 / ~10–15°F | 12–15 ft / 6–8 ft | Rich, jammy, blackberry-like | Med (1–1.5″) | Med-lg | Early fruit, bold flavor, easy pruning |
| Hunter | 7–10 / ~10–15°F | 20–25 ft / 6–8 ft | Bold, jammy | Large (1.5–2″) | Broad | Heavy producer; jam/juice star |
| Shangri-La | 7–10 / ~10°F | 25–30 ft / 10–15 ft | Deep, winey-sweet | Large (1.5–2″) | Very large | Cold-hardy classic; lush canopy |
| Pakistani | 8–10 / ~20°F | 25–30 ft / 10–12 ft | Honey-sweet, low acid | Very long (3–4″) | Large, velvety | Gourmet, longest berries |
| Everbearing | 7–10 / ~15°F | 15–20 ft / 6–10 ft | Tangy-sweet, reliable | Small-med (≈1″) | Medium | Long window; multiple flushes |
| 6th Street | 7–10 / ~10°F | 20 ft / 8–10 ft | Balanced, mild-sweet | Med (1–1.25″) | Medium | Florida-adapted, dependable |
| Tice | 8–10 / ~20°F | 20–30 ft / 8–12 ft | Sweet with tang | Med-large (≈1.5″) | Large, tropical look | FL heirloom; fast shade + crops |
| Unryu | 5–8 / very cold-tolerant | 20–30 ft / 8–12 ft | Mild-sweet, juicy | Small–med | Medium | Sculptural corkscrew branches; edible + ornamental |
| White Mulberry | 5–9 / ~-10°F | 30–40 ft / 10–15 ft | Delicately sweet | Med (≈1″) | Large, glossy | Super cold-hardy; mild flavor |
🌱 Why collect more than one? Extend your harvest window, diversify flavors, and mix ornamental architecture (‘Unryu’) with heavy producers for the best of both worlds.
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Edible landscape consultation & design
- 🏗️ Installation & project management
- 🚚 Compost, mulch, biochar & soil delivery
- 🌾 Wholesale and regenerative farm solutions
Let our team help you create a thriving edible paradise — starting with Thai Dwarf Mulberry!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
