Plant library
Pioneer species
Goumi
Elaeagnus multiflora
Zones 4–9
A well-behaved nitrogen-fixing shrub that sweetens poor soil with edible, tart-sweet red berries — the polite cousin of the invasive autumn olive.
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
low
Spacing
6-10 ft apart
Soil
Any soil, even poor and dry, pH 5.0-7.5
Difficulty
easy
Zones
4–9
When to plant
Mar
Apr
Oct
Timing shifts with your zone — the Genie can pin down exact dates for you.
How to care for it
Plant in spring or fall, water the first year, then ignore it. Prune after fruiting to keep an open shape and harvest branches for mulch.
Good companions
Underplant with currants and gooseberries; pairs under fruit trees
Harvest
Pick the speckled red fruit in early summer when it softens — great fresh, in jams, or dried.
Want a plan for growing Goumi?
Your Genie can give exact timing and care for your zone.
