Goumi (Elaeagnus) - easy to grow edible fruit and nitrogen fixing
Elaeagnus (Goumi) is a extremely versatile, and an attractive shrub. The species Elaeagnus multiflora produces a superfruit, the Goumi Berry. The fruit has vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, bio-active molecules such as lycopene. The Elaeagnus multiflora species is a stud. I listed 15 reasons why the E. multiflora is as perfect as a fruiting plant can be!
We grow the Tillamook Goumi and Sweet Scarlet Goumi cultivars (Elaeagnus multiflora). The Red Gem Goumi is another cultivar common in North America.
Many Elaeagnus species are “nitrogen fixing”: the roots create a very important fertilizer, nitrogen. The roots add it to the soil! into the soil! The Goumi can be grown as a short or tall hedge, windbreak, it tolerates a wide range of soil, is drought tolerant, wildlife friendly, and more! Our Goumi berry plants are entirely pest and disease free at HEPPY™. However, some Elaeagnus species are very invasive. so be careful and consider growing ONLY the Elaeagnus multiflora species. E. multiflora provides all the benefits of Elaeagnus and produces a highly nutritional fruit and is not invasive.
15 reasons the Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora) is a perfect plant
Yup, I’m giving the Sweet Scarlet and Tillamook Goumi plants a ‘perfect’ rating.
15 reasons the Goumi Berry plant is perfect:
- EXCELLENT nutrition. Goumi Berries have more of the heart-healthy nutrient lycopene than even the tomato, vitamins A, C and E, minerals, and is a fairly good source of essential fatty acids.
- Bears large crops of fruit. This is a heavy fruit producing plant. We’re yet to measure the harvest but ONE 5-year-old plant produces a ton of fruit.
- Nitrogen Fixer. The root system creates a valuable plant fertilizer called nitrogen.
- Self-fertile.
- 100% pest-free and disease-free here at HEPPY™, zone 7.
- Prune to any shape. Goumi to be a short or tall hedge, windbreak or as a single accent plant.
- Adaptable to soils. Adapts to many soils including nutrient poor soil.
- Versatile. Grows in varied light conditions (but fruits best in full sun).
- SUPER sturdy. The Goumi has thick, multi-trunks.
- Strong branches. Branches don’t sag to the ground when full of fruit.
- Drought tolerant. We do not water our Goumi (but our Goumi is planted in rich soil, and we mulch with woodchips annually).
- VERY easy to propagate from seed. Make more plants by simply sowing seeds in ground after eating the fruit!
- Wildlife friendly. Excellent pollinator plant and an ideal shrub for nesting birds.
- Very fragrant. Our mature Sweet Scarlet Goumi is extremely fragrant for a full 5-7 days. Goumi plants bloom for about a month but at peak, she’s so fragrant!
- Frost-tolerant blooms. She’s in full bloom by early April and cold waves don’t seem to affect fruit production!
Goumi Plant Guide on ONE ad-free webpage!
On this page:
1. Goumi Fact Sheet
2. Goumi Species
3. Goumi in landscaping and garden ideas
4. Eating Goumi Berries and Health Benefits
5. Goumi Berry Health Benefits
6. Commercial products & opportunities
7. How To Grow, Prune and Harvest Goumi
8. Propagating Goumi
9. Goumi plants growing at HEPPY™!
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see our list of 400 edible plants
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YouTube playlist for the Goumi Berry plant!
Sweet Scarlet & Tillamook Goumi Plant Fact Sheet
‘Sweet Scarlet’ Goumi, Elaeagnus multiflora
‘Tillamook’ Goumi, Elaeagnus multiflora
common names: Goumi, Gumi, Cherry Silverberry
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 6 – 10 feet
Native: China, Japan, Korea, and Russian Far East
Bloom Time: April – May
Bloom Color: white/silver
Fruit Maturity: May – June
Self-fertile: yes
Sun: full (will tolerate shade but produces less fruit)
Water: medium (will tolerate drought & heat)
Soil: forgiving (wide range)
Maintenance: forgiving
Growth Rate: fast
Deciduous or evergreen: deciduous
Edible¹: berries (more information is below)
Medicinal²: yes (discussed below)
Commercial viability: strong (discussed below)
Family / Genus: Elaeagnaceae / Elaeagnus
Remarks: fruit has EXCELLENT nutritional qualities; nitrogen fixing; attracts pollinators; tolerates deer; pest and disease resistant (pest/disease free for us); adaptable to nutrient poor soil; prune to any shape; thick, multi-trunked plant makes an excellent hedge; fragrant but not showy flowers; drought tolerant; and self-fertile
*** NOTE that the Sweet Scarlet Goumi has long “soft” thorns; specifically, the Sweet Scarlet variety that we are growing at HEPPY have soft thorns. Thorns are soft enough that we prune the Goumi plant, pick fruit from it, work around it otherwise without wearing gloves.
Elaeagnus Species — the difference between
E. angustifolia, E. pungens, E. multiflora, and E. umbellata
the Elaeagnus multiflora species — such as the Tillamook Goumi and Sweet Scarlet Goumi — is not invasive AND provides all the best qualities of Elaeagnus. other Elaeagnus species are considered a noxious, invasive species (particularly in North America).
Elaeagnus are from Asia. except for the Elaeagnus multiflora species, they are risky to grow around the world. in fact, E. pungens and E. umbellata are rated as category II noxious, invasive species in Europe, Australia, North America, and parts of Asia where the plants were not native.
E. multiflora vs E. angustifolia, E. pungens and E. umbellata
Elaeagnus multiflora
THIS is the species to grow in North America. Red Gem, Sweet Scarlet and Tillamook are cultivars that YOU can buy. they are the Elaeagnus multiflora species.
invasiveness is the primary difference between E. multiflora and the other commonly grown Elaeagnus species (E. angustifolia, E. pungens and E. umbellata). Elaeagnus multiflora is the ONLY non-invasive species of the four species.
fruit quality is the second difference between E. multiflora and the other Elaeagnus species. there’s a good amount of scientific literature on the human health benefits of E. multiflora. biologically active compounds that provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity. we’re compiling the medical studies below.
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Russian Olive tree is the common name for Elaeagnus angustifolia. Silver berry, Oleaster and Wild Olive are other names.
fruit, height and leaf-color are the primary differences between Elaeagnus angustifolia and the other commonly grown Elaeagnus species (E. multiflora, E. pungens and E. umbellata). The Russian Olive tree produces an fruit that looks like…an olive. The olive-like fruit is described as dry, sweet and mealy. The tree grows to a height of 35 feet (10 m), and young branches are very silvery in color.
the Russian Olive tree is invasive because it out-competes native plants, interferes with agricultural practices by choking irrigation ditches, and is difficult to control and nearly impossible to eradicate. it has become very invasive in Western USA.
Invasive.org, Elaeagnus angustifolia | Invasive Species Compendium (ISC), E. angustifolia
Elaeagnus pungens
Thorny Olive is the common name for Elaeagnus pungens. Spiny Oleaster, Silverthorn and Fruitland Silverberry are other names.
height, foliage and leaf-color are the primary differences between Elaeagnus pungens and the other commonly grown Elaeagnus species (E. angustifolia, E. multiflora, and E. umbellata). UNLIKE the Russian Olive tree, E. pungens height is 6-10 feet. it’s foliage is far more dense and the entire shrub is silvery in color. another difference between the E. pungens vs. E. angustifolia and E. umbellata is that E. pungens is the least invasive of the three and, tolerates heavy shade.
strangely, the Elaeagnus pungens ‘Fruitlandii’ is a cultivar that’s for sale! Monrovia no longer grows E. pungens ‘Fruitlandii’ but other vendors do! just plant the NON-invasive, E. multiflora!
Invasive.org, Elaeagnus pungens | Invasive Species Compendium (ISC), E. pungens
Elaeagnus umbellata
Autumn Olive is the common name for Elaeagnus umbellata. also, the species name is sometimes spelled, Elaeagnus umbellate. Japanese Silverberry, Umbellata Oleaster, Autumn Olive, Autumn Elaeagnus and Spreading Oleaster are other names.
fruit, leaf-color and shape are the primary difference between Elaeagnus umbellata and the other commonly grown Elaeagnus species (E. angustifolia, E. multiflora, and E. pungens). E. umbellata’s fruit is small, red and completely round. it’s not as tall and silvery as E. angustifolia, and is not as short and densely leaved as E. pungens.
however, E. umbellata looks A LOT like the E. multiflora! the differences between E. umbellata vs E. multiflora: E. umbellata’s leaves are a little more silvery (E. multiflora has a beautiful dark green hue; silvery-green under-leaf). Also, E. umbellata grows a little taller than E. multiflora (15 vs 10 feet). The similarities are that both have near identical flowering patterns, and their shape and branch-density are very similar.
Invasive.org, Elaeagnus umbellata | Invasive Species Compendium (ISC), E. umbellata
Elaeagnus multiflora (Goumi Berry plants) in landscaping and garden ideas
HEPPY™ grows the ‘Sweet Scarlet’ and ‘Tillamook’ (Elaeagnus multiflora) cultivars. they are not native to North America but VERY well adapted and are not invasive.
Landscape Architecture
in landscape architecture, the Goumi is an excellent ornamental hedge or a single accent plant. it is an attractive plant with leaves that are dark green on the top and a silverish color under the leaves. its stems have a wonderful brown hue. it develops strong, makes sturdy erect canes / branches from it’s center. Goumi berry fruit are an attractive red color, with small speckles of gold/silver. almost like glitter. altogether, the colors are attractive. it fits in backyard and front yard landscaping ideas.
Elaeagnus multiflora is a nitrogen fixing species and forgiving. it is can be used for land reclamation, and as nurse crops.
Garden Ideas
the Sweet Scarlet and Tillamook cultivars are versatile. they grow best in full sun and well drained rich soil. BUT it grows in any soil and in part shade (planting in full sun will provide more fruit). Goumi berry fruit can be eaten fresh; otherwise the fruit falls to the ground eventually. we’ve seen very little predation by birds. shape the Goumi plant as needed — it tolerates pruning very well. Elaeagnus species can be used as windbreaks in both, warm and cold weather plant zones.
at HEPPY, we planted our Sweet Scarlet Goumi in our classic 5’ x 5’ x 3’ highly organic tree plot and watched the 24” tall Goumi – planted in the spring — explode with 4’ tall canes growing from it by the end of the first growing season. this Goumi grows fast but is non-invasive.
Sweet Scarlet Goumi (E. multiflora) is a versatile plant.
it's cold and drought hardy, and can grows in virtually any soil.
but it THRIVES in organic / rich soil.
How To Eat Goumi Berry Fruit
1, 2 HEPPY cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant for food or medicinally. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
Edible Goumi Berries
ripe Goumi berry fruit tastes like sweet Cherries, but with a hint of tart (NOT as sugary sweet). Goumi berries are very juicy, and can be eaten fresh off the shrub, dried or cooked (pies or preserves). we eat Sweet Scarlet berries fresh.
Goumi berry fruit is the sweetest if picked slightly over-ripe. the fruit won’t be ‘bright bright’ red, but a bit dull-red in color. berries must be picked ripe — when they’re deep red in color. UNripe fruit is astringent like the Persimmon fruit. but would you eat an unripe cherry? just pick them when ripe 😉 Goumi berries are rich bio-active compounds, vitamins A, C and E, minerals, and have essential fatty acids. it’s nutritional qualities are well documented.
Recipes
Goumi Berry Syrup
Renee Wilkinson on Hip Chick Digs makes a Goumi Berry Syrup here. she preserves them in the freezer. “Preserving goumis as a syrup leaves the door open for versatility later. When I want a pancake or waffle topping, I will simmer some syrup with cornstarch until it’s thickened. I can add a goumi syrup to iced tea or mix with club soda for a cool summer drink. It can also be drizzled onto baked goods as desired.”
Goumi Berry Juice
Goumi Berry juice is provided by Raintree Nursery:
“Wash fruit, place in non-aluminum pan, add cold water just to cover, heat to a slow simmer and simmer for 10 minutes or until fruit is ‘washed out’ looking. Strain juice and put remaining fruit through a fruit processor to squeeze the rest of the juice out (the sweetest and most flavorful juice, pretty pink color). I haven’t tried steaming the berries to make the juice, but that should work also. The squeezing step is very important though to get the flavor. Then make jelly following above recipes. Goumi juice is low in pectin.”
Goumi Berry Jam
Facts about Goumi Berry provides a recipe for jam!
Ingredients:
6 pints goumi berries | ½ cup water
1 ½ cups sugar | 1 box of Lower Sugar Sure-Jell
Directions:
1. Simmer berries in water for 10 minutes and then strain through cheesecloth. Makes about about 4 cups of juice.
2. Put juice in large saucepan. Measure sugar into bowl, then take ¼ c of measured sugar and mix with the sure-jell.
3. Add the sure-jell/sugar mixture to the juice and bring to a full rolling boil.
4. Add the remaining sugar, stirring constantly, and bring to a full rolling boil again. Continue stirring, & cook for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, skim foam from top of jelly, and pour into clean jelly jars, filling to 1/8 inch of tops.
6. Cover quickly with flat lids, screw bands on tightly.
7. Invert jars 5 minutes, and then turns upright. Makes about 5 cups of jelly.
Goumi Berry Health Benefits
1, 2 HEPPY cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant for food or medicinally. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
historically, fruit and leaves from the Elaeagnus multiflora were “known and used in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for cough, wounds, diarrhea, and even cancer lesions” (PubMed, In Vitro Biological Activities of Fruits and Leaves of Elaeagnus multiflora….).
in modern times, “Scientific studies have confirmed the antioxidant [13,25,76–80], anti-inflammatory [13,30,33,34], antiproliferative [12,32,81], anticancer [12,81,82], antimicrobial[19], antidiabetic [31,37,80] anti-fatigue [83], and alleviating [82] properties of E. multiflora.” the study’s Conclusion finds that Goumi berries’ bioactive compounds “are found not only in the fruit but also in other plant parts such as the bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds. The seeds are considered to be a candidate for an anticancer functional food in preventive nutrition programs” (MDPI journal, The Bioactive Profile, Nutritional Value, Health Benefits and Agronomic Requirements of Cherry Silverberry (Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb.): A Review).
E. multiflora fruit is suitable for direct consumption and processing. It can be classified as a “superfood” due to its high content of carotenoids, exogenous amino acids, macronutrients, micronutrients, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin C. Goumi berries are a valuable source of lycopene, the most potent antioxidant among common carotenoids, which is renowned for its anticarcinogenic effects (Ibid).
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers (Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994 ISBN 1352-4186).
medicinally, the leaves are used in the treatment of coughs. the fruit is prescribed in the treatment of watery diarrhoea. the root is astringent, a decoction is used to treat itch and foul sores (Plants For A Future).
HEPPY will explore how to use the Sweet Scarlet and Tillamook cultivars in foods, and it’s medicinal qualities, and will add content as we learn / verify information! please subscribe to our YouTube channel
Sell Goumi Plant Products — Commercial Qualities of E. multiflora
there are 15 reasons the Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora) is a perfect plant. there are MANY commercial qualities and commercial opportunities to sell products from this plant.
Farmers' market or cottage food industry
its high nutritional quality is one key feature of the Goumi berry. pick-your-own farms, food cottage and farmer’s market products (fresh, jams, etc) are easily possible. more about Harvesting the Goumi berry is below.
Advertise the fruit’s rich bio-active compounds, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and that it has more heart-healthy lycopene than the tomato! in fact, HEPPY™ has done research for YOU on the Goumi berry’s health benefits.
Commercial or private landscaping
Elaeagnus multiflora is an attractive, super low maintenance plant. create tall or short hedges, windbreak, or a single fruiting bush. it fits in any commercial landscaping. the fruit are small so there’s no clean-up if planted over soil or grass.
further, the plant is nitrogen-fixing! so the plant fits soil reclamation or, as a companion plant. these are ideal selling-points too.
finally, you will RARELY read a sentence like this about a edible plant (and i’m bias towards edible plants). “Similar to seabuckthorn, E. multiflora has many potential applications in human nutrition, food technology as an ingredient of functional food, cosmetics (including skin cosmetics), and pharmaceuticals as a component of nutraceuticals, medicine, manufacture, and animal nutrition” (MDPI journal, The Bioactive Profile, Nutritional Value, Health Benefits and Agronomic Requirements of Cherry Silverberry (Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb.): A Review).
There’s a lot to explore and we invite interns and volunteers to focus on the commercial viability of the Sweet Scarlet and Tillamook cultivars here at HEPPY.
Caring for the Goumi Berry plant: growing, pruning and harvesting
Elaeagnus multiflora thrive in rich organic soil, but tolerate nutritionally poor soil. they are heat resistant and drought tolerant (or course, the worse the soil the longer it needs care). they thrive in full sun but grow fine in partial shade. our E. multiflora are FULLY disease and pest free. they are exceptionally low maintenance plants.
growing is very easy. we pruning once every two years, and enjoy a bountiful harvest. a few details about pruning and harvesting Goumi Berry is below.
Prunuing Goumi
we grow our Goumi as a single accent plant and prune accordingly. the tendency for this plant is to bushy, so we prune to keep the center (middle) of the plant open. also, we remove branches that grow across too many other branches.
this pruning technique:
1. promotes air circulation (reduces risk of disease INCLUDING harboring disease that can affect other plants);
2. allow sun to reach the northern branches (stimulating more blooms and ripe fruit on the ‘shady’ side of the plant); and
3. makes picking easier.
alternatively, trim the Elaeagnus multiflora into a hedge! short hedge or tall hedge — it would make a sturdy hedgerow. can you imagine a hedge that feeds you? we have propagated many seedlings and will grow a hedge as an exhibition!
the video to the upper right shows how we prune our Goumi. pruning allows the plant to place more energy to flowering (which is fruit!). we’re also controlling how it grows. in HEPPY’s landscape architecture, this location requires the Goumi to grow up and open. it’s a single exhibition plant, and we want fruit on branches that’s convenient to pick from.
Harvesting Goumi Berry
Picking Goumi Berry
watch us harvest our FIRST 2 cups of Goumi Berries! the fruit’s flavor tastes like cherry.
the fruit is oblong (ellipsoid) shaped and about 3/8 – 1/2” long, with a single seed. this vid shows a close-up of the seed (6:05) and the Goumi Berry fruit (8:15).
harvest Goumi Berries that are deep red. give dark-red fruit a gentle tug and the fruit will come off the stem. sometimes the stem comes with it. that’s OK.
light-red fruit will taste like tart cherry. however, Goumi Berry are sweetest if picked slightly over-ripe. the fruit won’t be ‘bright bright’ red, but a bit dull-red in color. you’ll get the hang of it! conversely, UNripe fruit is astringent like the Persimmon fruit.
Storing Goumi Berry
we recommend picking and eating the same day, or next day. Goumi berry don’t keep more than 2-3 days outside the fridge. i didn’t measure this but they don’t seem to keep in the fridge well either :(. (this is why i argue that ‘exotic’ fruit come from common, easy to grow plants. it’s that they don’t pick easily or transport easily or keep on shelves easily. the plant is common; the fruit is NOT common in the grocery store.)
Goumi Berry Hang on the Plant
Goumi Berry hang on the plant long after they are ripe. unpickled fruit become more and more raisin’ish. very raisin’ish fruit will be mushy and not taste good. the fruit eventually drops. seeds seem NOT to germinate if left on the surface of the soil; they seed if you sow them.
Propagating Goumi: cuttings, division, grafting, layering and seeding
propagation by seed has been very successful for us. seedlings sprout however, it may be possible to propagate by softwood and hardwood cuttings. also, air or ground layering, and grafting may be possible. the online information is sketchy about propagation by cuttings and layering because they don’t show how successful their work is! anyone can dip a stick in rooting hormone but…does it work!? i’m being critical and it probably works. we’ll try various propagation methods (cuttings and layering) but propagation by seed is SUPER EASY!
be realistic about propagating Elaeagnus multiflora. we are a no BS website; there appears to be NO quick propagation method. Plants for a Future cites that seeds “may take 18 months” to germinate; cuttings of mature wood should be left “for 12 months”; and layering in September/October “takes 12 months.”
Propagation by Seed
Propagation by seed — our way
propagation by seed has been very successful for us. seeds germinate if you sow them; however, seeds do NOT germinate if left on the surface of the soil. in other words, Goumi Berry doesn’t self-seed. you have to plant seeds for germination.
our seed propagation method is simple:
- eat the fresh fruit and save the seeds; and
- sow seeds immediately (we simply etch a 2″ deep row in the soil, sprinkle seeds in the row, and cover them)
Goumi seedling sprout the following spring. pot seedlings before the summer heat hits or in early fall. for winter, we heel potted plants in soil or in a pile of woodchips.
one the right side is a series of pictures showing the propagation process:
1. harvested seeds in June/July 2020;
2. germination in April/May 2021;
3. potting Goumi in June/July 2021; and
4. potted plant that had overwintered, April 2022.
the Goumi you see pictured is about the largest seedling. of about 25 potted plants, 20% are large, 20% are very small, 50% are in-between (large/small); and 10% died.
we propagate many Sweet Scarlet Goumi plants. some are to sell and we will create a exhibition hedge (an edible hedge).
Propagation by seed — stratify, store, sell
Plants for a Future cites “A warm stratification for 4 weeks followed by 12 weeks cold stratification can help[98].” i researched the reference, “Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.” but nothing in the manual speaks to E. multiflora. it speaks to the Genus, Elaeagnus. Elaeagnus includes many plants.
also, consider the time it takes.
June 1: harvest fruit / seeds.
July 1: complete 4 weeks of warm stratification.
October 1: complete 12 weeks of cold stratification. outdoor germination is impossible so you would begin indoor propagation.
the process and schedule above isn’t a HEPPY lifestyle ;). it’s a busy process and schedule, and takes time away from valuable work and responsibilities.
Propagation Protocol: Elaeagnus
this site provides detailed information on propagating Elaeagnus by cuttings (‘vegetative’) method, and by seed.
Propagation by cuttings, layering, and grafting
Plants for a Future cites that it’s possible.
1. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3-4″ (7-10cm) with a heel, July/August in a cold frame. Wait 12 months.
2. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year’s growth, 4-5″ (10-12cm) with a heel, November in a frame. Wait 12 months.
3. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months.
Goumi plants growing at HEPPY™
Intro' to Goumi plants at HEPPY
this vid was filmed a few days after the Tillamook Goumi plants arrived. the short vid in an introduction to Goumi cultivars, the Tillamook, Goumi plant benefits, and Goumi Berry health benefits. see blooms in April, and hear how we prune & propagate the Goumi. also, i discuss soil and sunlight.
i get more and more excited as i learn about these plants, and gain experience growing the Elaeagnus multiflora species. and the more scientific lit’ i read, the more Goumi Berry plants i grow (Chokeberry and Sea Buckthorns/Sea Berry too). voice tells you
i had to turn-down the volume when i edited this vid! dude was tooooo excited!
the rich content on this webpage says it all!
Elaeagnus multiflora cultivars
Sweet Scarlet
the Red Gem and Sweet Scarlet are the most common. but i can fully verify that the Sweet Scarlet is self-fertile and a STUD plant.
this cultivar was selected at the Main Botanic Garden in Kiev, Ukraine.
Red Gem
like the Sweet Scarlet, the Red Gem cultivar is from the Main Botanic Garden in Kiev, Ukraine. Hip Chick Digs’ Renee Wilkinson says the fruit is smaller and more tart than the Sweet Scarlet.
Jahidka
i happened on the Jahidka cultivar while studying the Goumi Berry health benefits. it’s described a short (5ft / 1.5m) variety designed for Bonsai.
Tillamook
the Tillamook is advertised as producing “huge crops of some of the biggest goumi berries we’ve seen!” (One Green World). i can already see that the leaves seem bigger, despite our Tillamook young age (2022).
i plan to interview Lucile Whitman but One Green World sheds light on this plant’s fascinating history:
Tillamook Goumi comes to us from one of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved nurserywomen, Lucile Whitman, who was given cuttings of this goumi and told it was a jujube by a grower in Tillamook, OR. In the 1980’s neither of these species were commonly grown so most did not know the difference between the two. Lucile grew out what she thought was a jujube until years later somebody informed here she actually had a goumi on her hands, and a very good goumi too! Tillamook Goumi produces huge crops of some of the biggest goumi berries we’ve seen!
Our Girls at HEPPY™
Sweet Scarlet
we purchased her from Edible Landscaping in 2017. she overwintered fine and was planted in 2018. she’s at the head of her row!
she’s named “Sunshine.” we now realize how fast she’s grown after looking at these pictures. she’s … exploded!
she’s planted in rich organic soil. since 2021, we have NOT watered her EXCEPT for two key periods. about all large fruiting plants receive water when they are full of fruit, and in the hottest part of August. we give the plants a deep soak: a low volume of water and let the water run for 15-25 minutes.
not one sign of pest, fungus or any type of disease … ever. Also, we’ll see how frost-tolerant the blooms are this year (2022). in April 2022, we’ve had hot weather and very cold blasts. nights in the 30s again at the time of writing (April 28).
Sunshine reached 10 feet tall in 2022. she’s TOTALLY loaded with blooms. you’ll smell sweet fragrant blooms if you walk anywhere near Sunshine.
Tillamook
we purchased two from Whitman Farms in 2022. they are huge, and we up-potted the two girls right away.
we’ll integrate them into our landscape architecture. i’m SO thankful to have these Goumi Berry plants in our two acre exhibition garden.
Nitrogen Fixing Plants
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