Goji Berry (Lycium Barbarum)

Rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients, the Goji Berry, also known as wolfberry, is now quite widely grown for its health benefits. Not a plant for small gardens or colder areas, it is a vigorous, spiny shrub best grown against a warm wall, so that the lax stems can be tied in for maximum fruiting. The berry is long, bright orange-red when ripe and full of little yellow seeds. The berries can be harvested over a long period, as they tend to blacken when bruised, they can be ‘picked’ by gently shaking the plant. Will tolerate seaside locations. Not the easiest to get to fruit in Ireland, needs a warm sunny location, ideal against a sunny south facing wall.

Site: Sheltered and warm
Soil: Any well-drained soil; tolerates poor soil
Position: Crop best in full sun
Pick: From late August to first frosts
Keep: Does not keep
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile
Uses: Eating, cooking, juicing
Height: 10’+ (3m+) Spread: 13’+ (4m+)

Goji berries are great for eating, cooking, and juicing. To harvest, gently shake the plant from late August until the first frosts as the berries blacken when bruised. They need a sheltered, warm site with well-drained soil, even poor soil is okay. Plant against a south-facing sunny wall for best results as they need full sun. Keep in mind they don’t keep well. They’re self-fertile and hardy.