The Goumi Berry is a deciduous shrub that fixes nitrogen, tolerates poor soil and drought, and produces beautiful, nutritious berries. Growing seven feet tall and wide, these shrubs are covered in cream-coloured, bell-shaped flowers in May - a favourite of spring mason bees. The flowers are followed by edible fruit in June, hanging on branches like red jewels.
Though Goumi Berry bushes can take 4-10 years to bear fruit when grown from seed, our plants are propagated by air-layering and cuttings, so they will mature much faster, possibly flowering their first year.
Edible: Fruit (but not the seeds) Harvest timing: June
Scientific name:Elaeagnus multiflora
Light requirements: Full sun Full-grown size: 7'x7' Hardiness: Zone 4 Pollination: Self-fertile Wildlife: It is one of the first bushes in the garden to flower and is a favourite of mason bees. They seem to prefer it over any other plant in the spring garden. Origin: Japan, China, Korea Noteworthy: Nitrogen fixer. Used in permaculture. Drought tolerant. Nutritious. Tolerates poor soil.
