Goumi Berry (Elaeagnus multiflora)
Goumi berry is a hardy, fruiting shrub with a distinctive look—fresh green leaves often showing a soft, silvery sheen and small, spring flowers that can perfume the air up close. It reads “edible landscape” at a glance: a useful, productive shrub that still looks ornamental when it is not in fruit.
The fruit is the real surprise. When ripe, goumi produces bright red berries dotted with tiny silver speckles. The flavor is typically tart-sweet (often compared to cherry or rhubarb), making it a strong candidate for fresh snacking, preserves, and syrups when harvested at peak ripeness.
Goumi is also valued in permaculture circles because it can form a nitrogen-fixing partnership in the soil, helping it perform in leaner ground and contributing to long-term soil building. In Florida planting zone 9, treat it as a trial plant: prioritize excellent drainage, good airflow, and consider afternoon shade in the hottest sites to reduce stress from prolonged heat and humidity.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Elaeagnus multiflora |
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| Family Name: | Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster family) |
| Common Name(s): | Goumi, Goumi Berry, Cherry Silverberry |
| Size: | Typically 6–10 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide (varies by pruning, soil, and climate) |
| Plant Type: | Deciduous fruiting shrub (perennial); can form nitrogen-fixing root nodules with soil microbes |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Native to East Asia (commonly cited from China, Korea, and Japan) |
| Native to: | China, Korea, and Japan |
| Planted range in the USA: | Most commonly grown in temperate regions; examples include Oregon, Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan |
| Status in Florida: | Non-native; verify local guidance before planting (invasiveness and performance can vary by region) |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened or endangered (cultivated/managed in gardens) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in late winter through spring in Florida (or fall in cooler regions) so roots establish before extreme heat or hard freezes |
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| Sun Exposure: | Full sun to partial shade (best fruiting in full sun; consider afternoon shade in hot Zone 9 sites) |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained loam or sandy loam; adaptable to poorer soils but performs best with organic matter and no standing water |
| Soil pH: | About 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; water consistently during the first year, then deep water during drought. Avoid chronically wet soil. |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Low; compost and mulch are usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen (it can push leafy growth at the expense of flowers/fruit). |
| Pruning Requirements: | Light to moderate; prune in late winter (or right after fruiting) to remove crossing wood and keep an open, airy shape |
| Growth Rate: | Medium; typically about 12–24 inches per year once established (site dependent) |
| Companion Planting: | Works well in shrub guilds as a “support” plant—pair with groundcovers, pollinator plants, and mulching species to stabilize moisture and build soil |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate once established; fruiting and berry size improve with consistent moisture |
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| Frost Tolerance: | High for a fruiting shrub; commonly cited as hardy to about -25°F (-32°C) once established (varies by cultivar and conditions) |
| Heat Tolerance: | Moderate; can struggle with prolonged extreme heat/humidity—use airflow, mulch, and afternoon shade in hotter microclimates |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; protect young plants from constant drying winds and storm exposure |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low to moderate; avoid direct salt spray and highly saline soils |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Commonly cited 4–8 (often performs best in 5–8); can be trialed in warmer Zone 9 microclimates with good site selection |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Small, berry-like fruit (drupaceous), typically red with silver speckling |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Late spring to early summer (often May–June in warm areas). Harvest when berries are deep red, slightly soft, and detach easily with a gentle pull or shake. |
| Fruit Description: | Tart-sweet flavor (often compared to cherry/rhubarb); best when fully colored and softened slightly |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit is eaten fresh or used in jams/jellies and desserts) |
| Edible Parts: | Ripe fruit pulp (seeds are generally not eaten) |
| Medicinal: | Not a primary medicinal plant in typical home gardens; any traditional use claims should be researched carefully |
| Flower Color: | Creamy white to pale yellow |
| Flower Shape: | Small, tubular/bell-like flowers (often in clusters along the stems) |
| Fragrance: | Noticeably fragrant up close |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Spring (commonly March–April; can shift earlier/later by weather and location) |
| Bloom Duration: | Several weeks, with staggered bloom across the shrub |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Partially self-fertile; fruit set and yield often improve with a second plant/cultivar. Bees assist with pollination. |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees during bloom; birds may target ripe fruit if not protected |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and other beneficial insects visiting spring flowers |
| Problematic Pest: | Generally low pest pressure, but watch for aphids, scale, spider mites, and heavy bird browsing on fruit. Good airflow and plant health are the best “first line” defense. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Not generally considered toxic; fruit is edible when ripe |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; as with many plants, sensitive individuals may experience mild irritation when handling sap or foliage—wash hands after pruning |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not generally considered toxic; avoid allowing pets to consume large amounts of tough plant material |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root issues in poorly drained soils; prioritize drainage, sanitation, and spacing for airflow |
Companion Planting
For Elaeagnus multiflora (Goumi Berry), strong companions are plants that support pollinators, stabilize soil moisture, and keep weed pressure down—without choking the shrub’s root zone. Below are Florida Native and Florida Friendly options that generally pair well in a food-forest style planting.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Living mulch that suppresses weeds and feeds small pollinators; reduces soil splash during heavy rains.
Use: Let it fill the outer dripline and pathways near goumi; keep the trunk area clear for airflow.
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Adds biodiversity and wildlife value; complements the shrub layer without competing like a vine.
Use: Plant as a nearby shrub companion, leaving enough spacing for airflow and sunlight.
Florida Native: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Strong pollinator draw; helps keep beneficial insects active around the guild.
Use: Use as a sunny-edge pollinator strip near the shrub line.
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Tough groundcover that suppresses weeds and handles heat; adds long-season flowers for pollinators.
Use: Establish as a low-maintenance “carpet” between shrubs and paths (avoid piling into the trunk flare).
Florida Friendly: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Fast living mulch and biomass producer; helps shade soil and reduce evaporation.
Use: Grow on the sunny side of the guild; keep vines from climbing into the shrub canopy.
Florida Friendly: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Clumping border plant for bed definition and chop-and-drop mulch; tolerates heat well.
Use: Plant as a border clump a few feet away from goumi to avoid root crowding.
Keep the goumi’s base clear for airflow (no dense stems right against the trunk). Mulch broadly under the canopy, group companions by irrigation needs, and prioritize drainage. If you trial goumi in hotter parts of Zone 9, choose a site with morning sun, afternoon shade, and open air movement to reduce fungal pressure.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- Better Homes & Gardens — How to Plant and Grow Goumi Berry — practical planting, pruning, harvest cues, and cold-hardiness overview for home gardeners.
- Clark Green Neighbors Plant Library — Goumi — quick-reference profile including fruit description, pollinator notes, and nitrogen-fixation context.
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based Florida guidance for soils, pests/diseases, and sustainable home landscape practices.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise and resilient landscape principles applicable to edible landscapes and food forests.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone framework reference for cold-hardiness context and site planning.
- EPPO Global Database — general pest/disease terminology and reference framework when researching plant health issues.