Description
Elaeagnus multiflora> Hidden Springs Goumi are seedlings from the excellent Hidden Springs Nursery in Tennessee who are known for their selection of numerous Elaeagnus varieties. These plants will produce delicious berries that are typically larger than Red Gem and Sweet Scarlet. If unprunned, plants will grow to 10’ or more and produce sweet-tart berries that are full of antioxidants and ripen in early summer, even in the shade. Goumi berries are also excellent made into fruit leathers, jam, or dried, when their seed becomes less noticeable. They are generally not very thorny, although some thorns can be present. Drought tolerant, this is one nitrogen fixing berry plant that is an excellent companion for fruit trees, gardens and in a food forest. It will perform well in the understory beneath other trees and keeps its silvery green leaves for much of the year in the Pacific Northwest, remaining evergreen in especially mild areas. It is in the same genus as the popular ornamental plant silverberry. Goumi and its related plants are sometimes known as oleaster.
USDA Zone 4-8Pollination: Self-fertile. Time to productivity: 2-3 years depending on conditions.Ripening time: July Size: 10+ feet tall when full grown. Can be pruned to keep smaller.