The Elaeagnus genus (Autumn Olive, Goumi, and Silverberry) consists of shrubs and trees that produce fruits with remarkable qualities. They are high in vitamin A and E, bioactive compounds, minerals, flavonoids and proteins. Its lycopene content is the highest of any food. It's being researched for the prevention and treatment of heart disease and cancer. Cooking the fruit increases the lycopene content.

The fruits and seeds are a good source of essential fatty acids as well which is very unusual for a fruit. The seeds are also edible although somewhat fibrous, and are especially high in proteins and fats.

All of the Elaeagnus species are nitrogen fixers. They take nitrogen out of the air and put it into the ground through a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria that lives in their roots, thereby improving the fertility of the surrounding soils. The shrub species of Elaeagnus are sun and shade tolerant and can be interplanted with larger nut trees to help provide nitrogen for the nut trees. Autumn Olive was so widely planted on mine reclamation sites in the mid-20th century that it has extensively naturalized in some regions.

In some Eastern and Midwestern states Autumn Olive has acquired a reputation for being a potentially invasive plant. We've grown Autumn Olive for 30 years and in all that time have observed two volunteer plants. In the mid-20th century, millions were planted on mine reclamation sites since it is able to "fix" nitrogen out of the air and put in the soil, improving the quality of the soils much like clover does. Since the plant produces masses of fruit that birds love to eat it is not surprising that it has spread out beyond where it was planted.

Autumn Olive is very widely adapted and will grow in the sun or shade. We planted it as an understory in out walnut orchard. Walnuts are heavy nitrogen users so they grow faster with an understory of Autumn Olive. If the shrub is netted before the fruit ripens in September, birds will be prevented from dispersing their seeds. That way you can enjoy all the fruit and not have to worry about the plant spreading to undesirable locations.

Autumn Olive is not related to olive, but has similar-looking gray/green leaves. It's usually considered self-fertile, but cross pollination between 2 or more varieties may increase yields. Hardy and widely adapted to sun or shade, acid or alkaline soils, and is drought tolerant once established.

Named varieties are grown from cuttings.

AUTUMN OLIVES CAN NOT BE SHIPPED TO MA, MI, & NY