Name: Red Gem Goumi Shrub – Hardy Nitrogen-Fixing Berry Plant
Price: 49.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Goumi (Red Gem)

Red Gem Goumi is a rugged, nitrogen-fixing fruit shrub prized for its early red berries, ornamental silvery foliage, and ability to thrive where other fruiting plants struggle.

Early-ripening red berries with a bright, tangy flavor.
Extremely hardy and tolerant of poor soils.
Silvery foliage adds ornamental value.
Nitrogen-fixing shrub ideal for food forests.
Self-fertile; increased yields with a second plant.

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.

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Red Gem Goumi

Sun: 1/2 day to full day
Soil: Well-drained; highly adaptable
Water: Regular during establishment
Plant Size: Medium shrub
Pollination: Self-fertile
Harvest: Late spring to early summer
Hardiness: Cold-hardy

Planting & Care – Red Gem Goumi

Site Selection

Select a site with at least half-day sun for best fruiting.
Ideal for low-input areas and challenging soils.

Soil Preparation

Plant in well-drained soil; goumi tolerates low fertility well.
Avoid consistently saturated sites.

Planting Instructions

Plant at the same depth it was growing in the container.
Water deeply after planting.
Apply light mulch, keeping it away from the stem.

Watering & Fertilizing

Water regularly during the first growing season.
Once established, minimal supplemental watering is needed.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can reduce fruiting.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required.
Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter.

Harvest & Use

Harvest when berries are fully red and slightly soft.
Excellent for fresh eating, preserves, sauces, and drying.

General Tips

Allow berries to fully ripen for best flavor.
An excellent companion shrub in food forest systems.

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