Sweet Scarlet Goumi

Sweet Scarlet Goumi

Selected at the Main Botanic Garden in Kiev, Ukraine, Sweet Scarlet is prized for its large, sweet, and tasty fruit.

Native to the Russian Far East, China and Japan, Goumi is a very popular fruit in these regions and is now widely planted in many European and American gardens. Goumi forms a medium size shrub growing to 6 ft in height with attractive, silvery green foliage. It’s white flowers bloom in the middle to the end of May and are very fragrant and loved by bees making it a fantastic pollinator. The juicy, scarlet-red fruit is speckled with silver and ripens in July. Aromatic with a flavor reminiscent of pie cherries, it is very good eaten fresh and also makes tasty preserves.

As with other species in the genus Elaeagnus, E. multiflora plants are actinorhizal, growing in symbiosis with the actinobacterium Frankia in the soil. These bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen, making it available in usable form for the host plant, and indirectly for other nearby plants. This feature allows the plant to grow in poorer soils than it could otherwise.

Goumi likes full to half day sun, well-drained soil and usually begins bearing the 2nd year after planting. It is hardy to minus 25 degrees F., USDA Zone 4, and is pest and disease resistant. While Goumi is partially self-fertile, planting two varieties will produce larger crops.

Latin Name: Elaeagnus multiflora
Site and Soil: Goumi likes full to 1/2 day sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Partially self-fertile. Plant Sweet Scarlet with Red Gem for cross-pollination and heavier crops.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 25° F.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 5-6 ft. in height
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Red, speckled with silver
Fruit Size: Large
Bloom Time: May
Ripening Time: July
Yield: 10-15 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Goumi is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 4-8