Originally from the Russian Far East, Red Gem Goumi was brought to the Main Botanic Garden in Kiev, Ukraine. It is valued for its productivity and high quality, very flavorful 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 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 Red Gem Goumi  with 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.
Taste: Flavorful, sweet-tart, juicy
Fruit Skin: Red speckled with silver
Flower Color: White
Bloom Time: May
Ripening Time: July
Yield: 10-15 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Goumi is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 4-8

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Selected at the Main Botanic Garden in Kiev, Ukraine, Sweet Scarlet Goumi 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 crops.

Latin Name: Elaeagnus multiflora
Site and Soil: Sweet Scarlet Goumi likes full to 1/2 day sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Partially self-fertile. Plant Sweet Scarlet Goumi with Red Gem 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. 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

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A monstrous cousin of the more commonly seen Sea Kale, the Giant Sea Kale (Crambe cordifolia) is valued as both a bold and bodacious ornamental as well as a very useful perennial vegetable. Just like Sea Kale, the Giant Sea Kale can be harvested for its young leaves, flower buds in the “broccoli” stage as well as flowers and roots. Grows as a large perennial mound 1.5′ to 2′ tall with flower stalks that can reach up to 4 feet tall or more. A very fun and exciting perennial vegetable to add to the garden.

Latin Name: Crambe cordifolia
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -25° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland except the occasional aphids and slugs
USDA Zone: 5

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Native to many a northern coastline on the Pacific and Atlantic, this uniquely briny plant delivers the oceanic taste of oysters, anchovies and mushrooms in its fleshy blue-green leaves. A small bite of the leaf and you’ll think you’ve just slurped down a fresh oyster from the Puget Sound.  It’s quickly becoming a favorite with chefs and works well in many dishes to add a seafood flare without having to break out the shucking knife. With a similar leaf color to Sea Kale, you could make a fantastic oceanic perennial veggie garden with these! Maybe plant a thicket of Sea Berry behind it all and call it a plant life aquatic?

Finally, a vegan alternative to the briny bivalves for our vegan friend Colin! He says, “what’s a bivalve?”

Latin Name: Mertensia maritima
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -40° F.
Size at Maturity: 6″ in height by 2-3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: Slugs love the leaves as much as we do. Strange as they taste so sea-salty and salt kills slugs. Plant in a container or mulch with something slugs don’t like.
USDA Zone: 3

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Despite its name, Sea Kale does not need a nearby ocean to thrive.  This perennial vegetable has edible roots, shoots like asparagus, leaves like kale, cabbage, or spinach, and flower heads like broccoli. It’s quickly becoming a cult classic in permaculture gardens everywhere.

Latin Name: Crambe maritima
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -35° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland except the occasional aphids
USDA Zone: 4

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