Mulatka

Black chokeberry 'Mulatka' is a hybrid of red and black chokeberry, distinguished by its compact growth and high winter hardiness. The bush grows to 1.5–2 m tall, forming a dense crown without requiring pruning to stimulate fruiting. The leaves are oval, pointed, glossy, and leathery: they maintain a deep green color in summer and turn bright red-purple in autumn, creating a decorative accent in the garden.

In spring, the bush is covered with white fragrant inflorescences that attract beneficial insects. The fruits are large black berries with a waxy bloom, measuring 1–1.5 cm in size and weighing up to 4 g. They have a tart-sweet taste with a slight acidity, containing vitamin C, iron, iodine, and antioxidants. The berries are suitable for making jams, compotes, juices, and liqueurs.

'Mulatka' is easy to care for: it tolerates drought well after rooting, prefers sunny or semi-shaded locations with moist but well-drained soil. The plant is resistant to most diseases and pests and withstands frosts down to –34 °C, making it suitable for growing in various climatic conditions of the midlands.

The variety is used both as an ornamental plant and as a fruit-bearing tree for creating hedges, single plantings, or an orchard. Annual fruiting begins in the 3–4th year, with yields reaching 5–6 kg per bush.