Tillamook Goumi
Tillamook Goumi comes to us from one of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved nurserywomen, Lucile Whitman, who was given cuttings of this goumi and told it was a jujube by a grower in Tillamook, OR. In the 1980’s neither of these species were commonly grown so most did not know the difference between the two. Lucile grew out what she thought was a jujube until years later somebody informed here she actually had a goumi on her hands, and a very good goumi too! Tillamook Goumi produces huge crops of some of the biggest goumi berries we’ve seen!
Growing Info
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 6-8 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 a usable form for the host plant, and indirectly for other plants nearby. 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 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 with Red Gem or Sweet Scarlet ™ Goumi 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.
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: 4-9