Description
Red Gem Goumi is a tough, dependable fruiting shrub that earns its keep in challenging conditions. Long valued in permaculture and edible landscape systems, goumi combines resilience, productivity, and ecological benefit in a single plant. The berries ripen early in the season, turning a rich red with a lively, tart flavor that mellows as they fully mature. Often compared to cranberries or sour cherries, the fruit is excellent fresh when fully ripe and especially well suited to jams, sauces, and drying. Beyond fruit production, Red Gem Goumi plays an important role in soil health. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it gradually improves surrounding soil, making it an excellent companion for other fruiting plants. This Red Gem selection is propagated from cuttings, ensuring consistent growth habit and fruit quality.
Overview
- Hardy fruiting shrub with early-season harvest.
- Bright red berries with tart, refreshing flavor.
- Silvery foliage with ornamental appeal.
- Nitrogen-fixing roots enhance soil fertility.
- Self-fertile with improved yields when paired.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Elaeagnus multiflora ‘Red Gem’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; adaptable to poor soils with good drainage
Rootstock: Own-root (propagated from cuttings)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 6–8 ft tall and wide
Bloom Time: Spring
Ripening Time: Late spring to early summer
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile; plant a second goumi within 20–30 feet for increased yields
Pests & Diseases: Generally trouble-free; excellent natural resistance
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Red Gem is often favored in food forest plantings for its balance of vigor, fruit quality, and soil-improving benefits.
- Regional Insight: Red Gem Goumi performs exceptionally well in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast, where cool springs support strong flowering and reliable fruit set.
