$8.00
Elaeagnus multiflora
These delicious berries are large, tart, full of antioxidants, and ripen in early summer, even in the shade. Goumi berries are also good made into fruit leathers or dried, when their one large seed becomes less bothersome. This plant is shrubbier than its relative autumn olive and generally much less thorny. Can get to 15′ in hot climates, but normally stays much smaller in the PNW. Some varieties are very dwarf and will only grow to about 4′. Nitrogen fixing plant. It will perform well in the understory beneath other trees and keeps its silvery green leaves for much of the year. Very ornamental.
USDA Zone: 4-8
Pollination: Self-fertile.
Time to productivity: 2-3 years depending on conditions.
Ripening time: July
Size: 6′ when full grown.
These delicious berries are large, tart, full of antioxidants, and ripen in early summer, even in the shade. They are also good dried, when their one large seed becomes unnoticeable. This plant is shrubbier than autumn olive and generally less thorny. Can get to 15' in hot climates, but generally stays much smaller in the PNW. Some varieties are very dwarf and will only grow to 6'. Nitrogen fixing plant. Zones 5-9.