Hortiforum

General Info – Goumi, Cherry Elaeagnus, Cherry Silverberry, Gumi, Natsugumi

A prolific producer of edible red berries and an excellent, cold-hardy hedging shrub for temperate climates, the Goumi stands as an exceptional choice for growers in cooler regions seeking a rare and distinctive addition to their gardens.
Goumi yields a profusion of petite red berries, similar in size to Sultanas, adorned with an appealing speckled skin. These fruits offer a delightful tartness, acidity and sweetness, accompanied by a subtle, non-offensive astringency that persists in all but the ripest specimens. Their tender flesh presents a mild, yet thoroughly enjoyable flavour, often compared to that of sour Cherry, sour Grape, or Cranberry. While fruits are often savoured flesh, they can be transformed into various culinary delights where their underlying tartness or astringency combines excellently. Made into jams, jellies, pies or into fruit leather, the abundance of Goumi berries need not be unused. While Goumi fruits are often enjoyed fresh, they lend themselves beautifully to a myriad of culinary creations where their inherent tartness or slight astringency can be combined with sweetness. Whether crafted into jams, jellies, pies, or fruit leather, the plentiful harvest of Goumi berries need not go to waste. Goumi berries are rich in Vitamins A, C and E.
Goumi plants thrive in a full sun position, with a well-draining, moderately fertile soil such as a sandy loam. Goumi plants exhibit tolerance against wind, drought, and nutrient-poor conditions, making them an ideal low-maintenance choice for exposed locations, with success in locations in maritime exposure reported. While Goumi will tolerate, reasonably poor, dry soils, they will not tolerate poorly drained soils. Goumi exhibits remarkable resilience to all temperate climates in Australia, enduring temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius when dormant, a cold never encountered in Australian gardens.
Also referred to as the Cherry Elaeagnus, this shrub typically reaches an average height of 3 metres, boasting a dense, multi-branched growth habit. During the flowering season, the Goumi transforms into a breathtaking ornamental display, adorned with striking, fragrant white blossoms that give way to a bountiful harvest, causing its branches to gracefully bend under the weight of ripening red berries. With its compact bush-like form, propensity for hedging, and profusion of decorative white flowers, the Goumi emerges as a delectable substitute for the traditional May Bush.
Combining ornamental allure, robustness, and culinary utility, the Goumi presents itself as an overlooked gem for enthusiasts in cooler climates.

Plant Profile/Properties