Cultivar Goumi Berry 'Carmine' (Eleagnus multiflora)

We grow ‘Carmine’ because it delivers a rare combination of high yield, soil-building ability, and cold-climate reliability. It thrives in marginal soils, drought, and full or partial sun while producing dependable crops each season. Its nitrogen-fixing roots improve fertility throughout a planting, and the fruit quality surpasses seedling goumi in flavor, size, and color. Whether used in food forests, shelterbelts, or mixed hedgerows, ‘Carmine’ is a multifunctional shrub that pays back quickly with fruit, beauty, and ecological benefits.

Goumi grows quickly, developing an upright, bushy form with silvery-green leaves that add visual interest. In spring, it produces small, fragrant yellow flowers, which attract pollinators. These are followed by clusters of bright red, sweet-sour berries in mid-summer. The shrub thrives in poor soils thanks to its nitrogen-fixing roots, requiring minimal maintenance after establishment. Mulching and occasional pruning encourage healthy growth and fruit production.

Size at Maturity- Shrub Layer. Grows up to 10-15 feet tall, though it can be pruned smaller

Current Size- 2-3 Year Old Seedling 16"-24"

‘Carmine’ is a named selection prized for its heavy fruit set, improved berry uniformity, and early ripening window. As a legume-adjacent nitrogen fixer, it enriches surrounding soil, improving productivity of neighboring fruit trees and shrubs. The berries—high in lycopene, vitamins, antioxidants, and natural oils—are excellent for fresh eating, drying, jam, wine, or herbal preparations. Flowers emerge early and draw in pollinators when little else is blooming, making it a useful ecological support shrub as well as a fruit producer.