This past Thursday I received, in the mail, a very special gift from Mac (High Dessert Garden) – 7 goji berry root stock plants.
Heirloom goji berry plants
Decided to plant them in containers (instead of directly into the ground), in potting mix, so I can nurse them until they have recovered from their trip and start to grow. Then I will transplant them into the garden. They are perennials.
These goji berry plants are heirlooms given to Mac by a 5th generation Chinese American friend whose family has been growing this variety of goji berries (from China) since the Gold Rush days.
These are indeed very special goji berry plants. Thank you Mac. I will treasure and am looking forward to harvesting the leaves as well as the berries to use in cooking.
Goji berries are also known as wolfberry
Mac has a fabulous vegetable garden. Check out her blog, High Dessert Garden, Her photos are beautiful. Besides the normal spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. she also grows a fantastic array of Asian vegetables and explains how to use them as well.
To date, there is still not much activities in my garden. Trying to catch up, slowly getting there. Hopefully this week I will go at a faster pace (I think I said that in previous posts). Many seedlings need to get into the ground.
New veggies harvested from the garden this past week (photo below) were all volunteers.
Red giant mustard, green mustard and a bok choy in there somewhere
Many more seedlings popping up in the garden, with the rain we had and are expecting, should get great harvest this week.
Washed all, cut into about 1½ inch length and stir-fried (everything together) briefly with ginger, garlic in a bit of oil, salt and pepper to taste. (Very boring, but this time of year this is how I prepare most of my fresh-from-the-garden greens, especially when they are so young and tender.)
Also harvested the last of the garlic green and the last of the spinach from the window box. No more window box gardening until fall.
My fig tree suffered minor damage from the widespread frost and freezing nighttime temp on the 13th even though I covered the plant. It will recover, and hopefully produce a bountiful harvest.
Bloomerang lilacs, very fragrant
(click on photo to enlarge)
Blue iris
Bearded iris
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Garden to Wok 
Have never seen living goji berry plants Norma – only dried berries. Looking forward to your recipes when they’re ripe for plucking. Bloomerang lilacs – another fabulously-named plant Norma!
Hello Saskia,
This is my first tine growing goji berry, will be a learning experience shall be posting updates.
Will goji berrys be winter-hardy around here? I spotted some plants yesterday in the herb section at work.
Hello Mary,
Yes, goji berry is winter-hardy in our area. The ones you saw at work may be hybrid.
Lilac is one of my favourite flowers: atavistic feelings from childhood I guess. I only have one – a blue-purple with white edges . . . love it! Yours has such vibrant colour 🙂 ! Dying to find out how the goji berry plants will go! Fascinated that these come from such old stock [and I’ll visit the link given as soon as I leave you!]: in Australia dried goji berries and powder surely are the proverbial flavour-of-the month as a ‘superfood’ and cost a veritable fortune! Would be great to grow them in one’s own garden – good luck!!
Hello Eha,
You could try growing goji berry in your garden, I am sure it will do well. Your blue-purple-white edges lilac sounds gorgeous.
This is the week I buy my tomato plants and I get to do a bit of gardening; I’m very excited! Your lilacs are gorgeous.
I’m looking forward to your Goji berry recipes Norma; what a beautiful gift, I’ll definitely check out her blog.
Hello Eva,
I am now hardening off my tomatoes and eggplants will probably hold off putting them in the ground until after Memorial Day. Night time temp from the 24 – 27 will be in the 40’s according to the weather forecast, so I will have to bring them indoors for those nights.
Hoping to get the other seedlings into the ground.
Apparently the whole summer will be alternating hot and cold fronts. Hope it doesn’t snow!
Do you suppose the goji plants would grow indoors?
Hello Sybaritica,
I don’t know. I imagine if one has a sunny indoor location it is possible, you will need a huge container though.
I’m envious of your mustard greens. I am trying Red Giant this year along with the usual Green Wave, but the seeds didn’t germinate, not a one. I replanted them last week and hoping that does it.
Hello Dave,
After your red giant mustard grows, allow 1 or more plants to go to seed and scatter itself in the garden. Come next spring the seeds will germinate and grow well, leave them where they are or transplant to a more desirable location.
However, after seeing photos of your garden, you are obviously an organized gardener and like things very orderly so this may not appeal to you.
Those goji berries are so great – love that it has been in the family for so long! I didn’t know goji berry leaves can be eaten. So very cool.
Hello Tosh,
Yes, goji berry leaves are used in soup and stir-fries.
Lovely gift from Mac. 😀
Your mustard greens look healthy and beautiful. The pictures of your spring flowers are real eye candy too.
Hello Laura,
A lovely and generous gift indeed. My volunteer mustards are looking so much better than what I direct sow.
Hi Norma!
Your pictures of the lilac and iris are lovely.
Hello Pat,
Thanks, the lilac is so fragrant, drop by if you have time and in the neighbourhood.
Lilac bushes are among my favorites. I just love how they spread their aroma through the air. You know I actually am thinking about buying some flowers to plant this year. I’ll keep you posted. Your flowers are always such an inspiration. And I’m looking forward to your goji berry recipes. I’ve heard of goji berries, but never had one before. 🙂
Hello Kristy,
If it is available in your plant nursery, plant a bloomerang lilac, it is a low shrub and oh so fragrant. I am trying to propagate new plants from some of the branches so I can have one by the garage door and another by my garden gate.
Growing goji berries is new for me will be posting my experience.
Oh finally some beautiful spring flowers to enjoy.
How big will these goji plants get? Maybe you’ll be able to propagate them in time.
Oh you’ll have to keep us posted on how they do.
Happy Gardening
Hello Kim,
My herbaceous peonies (heirlooms from LG, remember them?) are full of buds, will send you photos.
From what I understand, goji berry plants can grow to 6-8 feet but can be controlled, will be posting my experience.
Wonderful plants, i shall look them up, I am desperately trying to grow berries out here .. c
Hello Cecilia,
Thanks. You do everything so well I am sure you can grow berries too.
I think i am making it up as i go along!! gardeners are like that! and you are a wonderful gardener.. c
Hello Cecilia,
Thanks. You need a longer than 24-hour day.
Never seen ‘real’ Goji berries! Only the dried up shrivelled ones in packets!
Hello Lisa,
I am not familiar with fresh goji berries either, so this is a new and exciting planting project for me.
I want to get myself a goji plant too! Beautiful spring flowers, Norma.
Hello Angie,
Thanks, I see something blooming no matter which window I am looking out of.
Beautiful photos! Looking forward to seeing your Goji berry plants!
Hello RRB,
Thanks. I will be posting updates of my growing goji berry plants experiences.
I’m curious what these berries taste like.
How lucky you are to have such a special heirloom plant!
Hello Lisa and Robb,
This is my first attempt at growing goji berries, no idea what the fresh berries taste like, will post updates later.
I would love to eat freshly picked goji berries as opposed to the wrinkled dried packaged ones in shops 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hello Uru,
I will post photos if and when my plants produce goji berries.
Wow! I can’t believe you are growing Goji berries Norma – how cool!
Hello Alyssa,
Yes, first time, will be posting update about my experience.
Lovely lilac. It is one of my favorite flowers because of its scent. And lovely volunteer harvest. I love all the plants that volunteer here. I’m still getting lettuce volunteers even though it has been a couple of years since I let them go to seed.
Hello Daphne,
I will let some of my lettuce go to seeds so I can get volunteers. Not sure why, but my volunteers do better than my direct sowed seeds.
What a great present. Can’t wait to see how your goji plants grow.
Hello Marta,
Yes, it was a great and generous present. Will be posting updates about my goji berries plants
What a phenomenal gift! I look forward to watching them grow 🙂
Hello Melissa,
Yes, it was a phenomenal gift. I will be posting my experience.
That’s a lovely gift and I’ll look forward to watching them grow. Your flowers are gorgeous xx
Hello Charlie,
Thanks. I will be posting updates.
I googled goji berries to get a look at them. Can’t wait to read how your plants do. Your flowers are beautiful, Norma. Those iris are amazing! I’ve always loved lilacs and yours is a real beauty. Mine has just passed its peak. It’s on one side of my yard and I’ve a wisteria in full bloom on the other. I wish the blooms of both lasted far longer than a couple weeks.
Hello John,
I will post updates of the Goji berry plants.
The bloomerang lilac is a heavy bloomer and will re-bloom in July. The summer panicles will not be as large but I am not complaining.
Your iris and that boomerang lilac are stunning! I’m interested to see how the goji berries come along and what you do with them. I know they are supposed to be high in antioxidants. What a great gift!
Hello Betsy,
Thanks. The bloomerang will re-bloom again in the summer. I hope my growing goji berries venture is successful.
Help Norma! The one bamboo shoot you gave me has grown so well that it has outgrown the space, and I am afraid it is going to expand even more. Q: How can I keep it better contained? An
easier way to take some of them out. Thanks. Theresa
Hello Theresa,
I forgot where you plant your bamboo. It is a clump bamboo so it is not invasive.
Sounds like your bamboo is very happy with its growing location. You can do one of 2 things:
1. Divide the plant. An easy way to take some of them out is with a shovel and a lopper.
2. Replant it to a location where you do not mind it getting big.
Let me know if you need more help. Norma
Heirloom goji berries is a real treat. I can’t wait to see them harvested. (I won’t even bother asking you how it got through customs..lol) However, I am so happy that you have them. They are perennials, right? Beautiful flowers and I hope you enjoy them while they are in bloom.
Hello Bam,
It was interstate so customs was not involved. Yes, goji berries are perennials. Can you buy fresh goji berries and goji berries leaves in Hong Kong? Oh yes, I am enjoying my flowers, one of the reasons garden chores are not getting done.
I think I miss lilacs most. None of those up here. I could close my eyes and remember my mother’s lilac bushes and the heady scent just walking by. I think it’s cool that you’re growing goji berries!
Hello Maureen,
Is there a reason why lilacs are not grown in Australia or is it just the area where you live?
I love that you know the provenance of the goji plants. I hope they do really well for you. I love Macs blog too.
Hello Liz,
I hope so too. I am always learning something from Mac’s blog.
Looking forward to following your wolf berry adventure!
Hello Leduesorelle,
I will be posting updates.
I’ve never seen Goji berries before. I can’t wait to see the berries when they come out. Those are beautiful flowers you have and a good indication that you are finally having good weather. Thank you, Norma and I hope you are having a wonderful week. 🙂
Hello Ray,
I will be posting update. I am sure you are familiar with the dried form of goji berries available in all Asian markets.
Yes, our weather is finally warming up.
What a great gift…goji berry, I never seen it before…I look forward to see it grow.
Have a lovely week Norma 🙂
Hello Juliana,
It is a great and generous gift. I will be posting updates. A lovely week to you too.
Norma, you’re going to grow your own goji berries? That’s so cool! 🙂
Hello Celia,
yes, trying, hope I am successful.
How lucky to have the heirloom goji berry plants…they are in good and loving hands.
Hello Karen,
Hope they grow well in my garden and bear berries.
Hi Norma, I was thinking of you this Monday when I picked my first tomato of the season. 🙂 Good luck with your goji berry plant. Please do tell us how is it growing. I’ve learned so much from your blog! Miss you!
Hello Marina,
I am so jealous of your first picked home grown tomato of the season. Expecting night time temp in the low 40, so cannot plant out my tomato plants until later next week.
Lovely irises you have there. Glad the plants got there alive, birds love goji berries as soon as the fruits turn red, good luck!
Hello Mac,
All 7 goji berry plants sent our new shoots. Thanks.
Your garden is so far ahead of mine, I’m envious of your lilacs and flowers.. they’re gorgeous! What a precious gift those heirloom goji plants are, just imagine how long they’ve been around, it’s amazing really! xx
Hello Barbara,
I was amazed when Mac told me the plants were handed down from 5 generations ago, hard to believe. I hope they grow well for me.
Beautifull shoots..
are those flower edible???
Hello Dedy,
Thanks. I don’t know if those are edible flowers.