> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.primalfruits.net.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Easy Growing & Nitrogen Fixing Berry Shrub - URL: https://www.primalfruits.net.au/easy-growing-nitrogen-fixing-berry-shrub/ - Published: 2026-07-20T05:55:16.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-20T05:55:16.000Z - Author: Cyrus Roussilhes Elaeagnus trees are the quiet achievers of the plant world. They look like they are covered in silver dust, but their real magic happens underground where they make their own food. They are actually very generous neighbours. While the tree uses a lot of the nitrogen to grow its own leaves and fruit, it constantly leaks a steady supply into the surrounding soil. This happens in two ways. First, the roots actively pump nitrogen compounds into the dirt while they grow. Second, when the tree drops its silver leaves in autumn, those leaves break down and act like a rich, natural fertiliser mulch for the plants growing underneath. In a food forest, people use them as support trees specifically to feed the hungry fruit trees planted next to them. ## The Ultimate Underground Partnership Most gardeners know that peas and beans fix nitrogen using Rhizobium bacteria. The Elaeagnus family does things differently. They partner up with a soil microbe called Frankia, the same bacteria that helps Perth Acacias do the same! Plants that do this are called actinorhizal. Frankia is like the weird cousin who lives off-grid but still manages to get high-speed Wi-Fi. It sets up shop in the root nodules and yanks nitrogen straight out of the air, converting it into a form the plant can actually use. This partnership is a massive win for poor soils. Studies show Frankia fixes nitrogen in tough, extreme pH (4.5 - 8), and nutrient-stripped dirt where legumes would curl up and die. Elaeagnus trees do not just feed themselves; they actively dump nitrogen into the surrounding soil through root exudates and falling leaves. This makes them the ultimate support act in a food forest, acting as a living fertiliser pump for every hungry plant growing next to them. ## The Elaeagnus Lineup ### Soh-Shang (Elaeagnus latifolia) This one is a highland powerhouse native to South and Southeast Asia. It is a tough, woody scrambler that loves to climb. In its native habitat, it fruits on sketchy soil with zero human help. The fruit is relatively large for the family, reddish-orange, and shaped like a small oblong plum. The taste profile is sharply tart with a refreshing acidic kick, though it gets sweeter if you let it get completely ripe. It is packed with vitamin C and holds massive potential for food security in marginal lands. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/22/8b/228b05bc-0776-46a4-a639-8098b36c5c3e/content/images/2026/07/5113719309.jpg) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/22/8b/228b05bc-0776-46a4-a639-8098b36c5c3e/content/images/2026/07/5913660520.png)](https://primalfruits.com.au/products/soh-sang-cuting-grown-849716753?ref=primalfruits.net.au) from $20 [Buy Now ](https://primalfruits.com.au/products/soh-sang-cuting-grown-849716753?ref=primalfruits.net.au) ### Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora) Goumi is a deciduous shrub that usually tops out around two to three meters. It is the darling of temperate permaculture gardens. The fruits look like tiny, dangling red jewels flecked with silver. The taste profile is unique: sweet, juicy, and highly astringent until it is dead ripe. If you pick it too early, it will dry your mouth out instantly. Once ripe, it tastes like a cross between a tart cherry and a plum. Also available to buy from Primal Fruits. ### Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) This is the most common species found around Perth. It grows as a small tree with distinct narrow, silvery-grey leaves that look like an olive tree on steroids. It is incredibly drought-tolerant and stands up to harsh winds and degraded land. The fruit is small, yellow-brown, and covered in silvery scales. The taste profile is dry, sweet, and distinctly mealy or powdery. It is more like eating a dense, dry date than a juicy berry. Seeds and usually plants available from Primal Fruits. ### Millaa Millaa (Elaeagnus triflora) This is a rare Australian native silverberry found in the tropical rainforest margins of North Queensland. Unlike its shrubby cousins, it is a semi-scandent climber, meaning it uses hooks and long arching branches to weave its way up through the canopy. It produces small, bright red edible fruits. The taste profile is mildly sweet but mostly tart and acidic. Because it is a native vine, it is a top candidate for multi-layered bushfood systems. Coming soon to Primal Fruits. ### Broadleaf Silverberry (Elaeagnus macrophylla) This is a tough-as-nails evergreen shrub with large, leathery leaves featuring brilliant silver undersides that flash in the wind. It makes an exceptional windbreak or privacy screen because it handles salt spray, poor soil, and intense heat without blinking. It produces small red fruits in spring. The taste profile is deeply acidic and tart, best used for jams rather than eating straight off the bush. ## Growing and Propagating in Perth ### Ease of Growing Very ease to propagate from cutting. A great way to share the benefits of nitrogen fixing around the garden or make a hedge the economical way. Russian Olive and Broadleaf Silverberry handle the dry heat easily once established. Soh-Shang and Goumi need a bit of afternoon shade and regular water during their first few summers to stop them from scorching, but they are still highly resilient. ### Propagation from Cuttings Hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer give the best results. You need to use a sharp knife, dip the tip in a strong rooting hormone, and stick them into a very free-draining mix of perlite and peat. Keep them humid but not soggy. They take their sweet time to push out roots, so patience is mandatory, expect 2-3 months in ideal conditions. ## Quirky Facts The silver sparkle on the leaves is not just for looks. Those microscopic silver scales are actually an evolutionary adaptation that reflects harsh sunlight and reduces water loss, acting like a built-in sunblock. Also, the seed inside the fruit is completely edible too. It has a mild, nutty flavor similar to a pumpkin seed, meaning you can eat the whole fruit, seed and all, with zero waste.