Native to northern Africa, the Mediterranean and Iran to Afghanistan, in the wild the Pomegranate becomes a small tree with a single trunk and a domed crown to 25 feet or sometimes larger. Records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 44 inches; 20 years - 20 x 13 feet; largest on record - 50 x 27 feet with a trunk diameter of up to 1.3 feet. The Pomegranate can live up to 200 or more years.
The broad lance shaped, oppositely arranged foliage is glossy and smooth, reddish in spring turning to bright green in summer then to brilliant yellow in autumn. The leaves are up to 4 x 1 inches in size. The foliage is late to appear during spring.
The bright scarlet, funnel shaped flowers are either single or in small clusters and are borne from late spring through late summer. They are up to 2 inches wide with 5 to 8 petals and many stamens.
The somewhat rounded fruits up to 4 inches, are orange red on the outside and are have jelly like deep red pulp inside along with many seeds. Up to 250 fruits can be borne on a tree in a single year. Among the worlds healthiest foods, the Pomegranate is considered to have anti cancerous properties. It should be a part of anyones regular diet. The Pomegranate is now cultivated in California and Arizona for juice production
Lateral shoots may have short hard thorns.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 and is hardy as far north as Maryland in the eastern U.S.
The Pomegranate is less hardy in regions with cool summers where the wood doesnt ripen. In cooler climates it can be trained onto a south facing wall.
The Pomegranates need hot dry summers to ripen the fruits and can tolerate very high temperatures even with low humidity.
They prefer full sun to partial shade and deep, light, well drained soil. Late spring frosts can cause severe damage in some regions. Root rot can occur on soil that is too wet, however other insect or disease problems are rare. Extremely drought tolerant.
To maintain a dense habit, it is recommended to prune current years growth in late winter.
Propagation can be either from hardened cuttings during early winter, half hardened or soft tip cuttings from spring to late summer or seed sown in spring.
More on the Pomegranate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punica_granatum
* photos taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photos of unknown internet source
* videos found on internet
Alba Plena
Creamy white, double flowers
Chico
Reaching up to 3.3 x 3.3 feet in 10 years and eventually 10 feet with large, double, scarlet red flowers over a long season. No fruits.
Eight Ball
Reaches up to 8 feet in height with fruits that are black. Tolerates as low as -10 F with no damage.
Favorite
Originating in southern Russia is the hardiest variety.
Legrellei
A large shrub, bearing salmon-pink, double flowers.
Nana
Dwarf, dense and compact to 3.3 x 3.3 feet in 10 years and an eventually 6 feet or very rarely 8 x 6 feet. Has extremely glossy small leaves, double bright orange flowers and 1 inch, red fruits. Makes an excellent tub plant or small hedge. Considered somewhat more hardy than average for the species.
Nana Plena
Similar to Nana but with double flowers and no fruit.
Nochi Shibari
Reaching up to 10 x 10 feet with double orange ( tipped in white ) flowers and no fruit. The foliage is very glossy.
Purple Sunset
Similar to Nana but more upright, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet. It makes a beautiful low hedge or patio planter specimen.
The narrow lance-shaped leaves are up to 1.5 inches in length. The foliage is reddish-green at first, turning to glossy deep green. In fall the foliage turns to deep yellow. The leaves are borne on purplish-red stems. The orange flowers, up to 1.5 inches, are followed by glossy blackish-purple fruits, up to 1 inch in length.
Hardy zones 7 to 9.
State Fair
Reaches up to 5 feet, with very profuse, bright orange flowers followed by abundant red fruits.
Tolerates as low as -10 F.
Wonderful
up to 15 x 15 feet with double, bright orange flowers and wine tasting, red fruits. This is one of the best varieties for fruiting.
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