Hardy and resilient goumi berry shrubs are a unique fruit to grow in cool climates.
However, to keep your goumi growing strong, here are the essential care tips to follow.
You’ll get a good harvest of fruit with at least 6 hours of bright light daily.
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Soil and Water
Goumi berries can grow in a range of soil types.
Temperature
Goumi berry shrubs are hardy plants that can tolerate temperatures as low -25F.
In colder climates, goumi shrubs may die back aboveground, but they will regrow new shoots in spring.
This nutrient boost will promote better fruiting.
However, humans aren’t the only creatures that enjoy the flavor of goumi berries.
Keep your goumi bushes safe by encircling them with 8-foot fencing.
For a simpler option, planting aromaticherbs like lavender,germander, andcatnipnear your plants cankeep deer awaytoo.
Draping floating row covers over your shrubs when fruit first appears can protect your harvest.
How to Propagate Goumi Berry
Goumi berry shrubs can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.
Then plant the cuttings in moist potting soil about 2 inches deep.
Keep the soil well-watered until you begin to see new growth and root development.
Compared to Red Gem, Sweet Scarlet has slightly larger fruit.
It grows about 6 feet in height.
Some may consider goumi too tart when eaten raw, but the berries flavor will mellow out when cooked.
In fact,goji berry plantsarein the nightshade family, while goumi berries are more closely related to roses.