Carmine Goumi Berry Plant (Elaeagnus multiflora 'Carmine') is a deciduous shrub that produces edible, silver speckled, bright red fruit. Little known in North America, the goumi fruit has a sweet-tart flavour, resembling a tart cherry or apple. Each berry contains a soft chewable seed that is rich in healthful oils and fats. It is a great source of vitamins A, C, E, flavonoids, and a heart healthful antioxidant called lycopene. Carmine Cherry Silverberry berries are larger and slightly softer than other varieties of goumi. The fruit can be enjoyed raw, dried, or cooked in pies and preserves. The Goumi Berry Tree is partially self-fertile, meaning it will likely have increased fruit yield if planted near other varieties (such as 'Red Gem' or 'Sweet Scarlet'). Although some references claim it is partially self-fertile, others claim goumi shrubs produce plenty of fruits whether or not they are planted near a companion for cross-pollination. The Carmine goumi berry plant has slow-growing, thorny branches and attractive silver-dark green foliage with bronze speckles. Silvery-white, bell-shaped flowers appear early in the year between May and June and have a strong, pleasant fragrance. While the berries may appear ready earlier, it is recommended to wait until they are very soft and almost over-ripe for the sweetest possible flavour. Fruit is usually ripe and ready to consume in late spring (mid-June). The abundant, early blooms are also beneficial for pollinator species. A rather robust plant, Carmine goumi berry tree can be grown in hardiness zone 4b (-31.5 °C). This nitrogen fixing shrub is very adaptable, tolerating poor rocky or sandy soil, salt, drought, and air pollution. The goumi root system forms a symbiotic relationship with bacteria actinobacterium Frankia that can catch atmospheric nitrogen and stock it in the ground to feed it to surrounding plants.
