Felder Rushing
Family
Punicaceae
Botanical Name
Punica granatum
Plant Common Name
Pomegranate
General Description
Funky, oddly-shaped, thirst-quenching fruit and beautiful flowers define the pomegranate. This plant, long used by humans, is native to region from Iran to northern India including areas of the Himalayas. It is an evergreen large shrub to small tree. The leaves are held opposite each other on mostly spiny stems and are lance-shaped to oblong. Brilliantly hued blooms are produced at the ends of the branches singly or in clusters throughout the summer. Many orange-red, crinkled petals are held close together in a vase-shaped, fleshy, almost woody, fused group of outer petals. Fruits are round and flattened on the ends with prominent remains of the flower at the bottom and are yellow to pink to red. The fruit skin is hard and leathery surrounding many seeds which are coated in juicy, ruby-tinted sacs. There are many cultivars including dwarfs and those suited to either fruit production or ornamental use.
Pomegranates grow best in areas with cool winters and hot, dry summers. They are basically sub-topical plants but will take several hours of freezing temperatures. In the coldest areas, the plants are deciduous. A few cultivars are adapted for growth in the tropics, but fruit production is poor unless the winter is unusually cool. Where not hardy, grow in containers or greenhouses.
An easy to grow plant, this fruit or ornamental will tolerate most soils with ample drainage. They even tolerate rocky, poor locations and are salt tolerant. Full sun is best for good growth and flowering. Fertilize regularly with a balanced product and regular irrigation, when in growth, is necessary for flower production, though the plants are drought tolerant once established. The flowers are usually self-pollinating, often visited by insects and bloom on new wood. Prune just before growth starts in the spring. Use pomegranates in home orchards, massed together for hedges and boarders and in containers for interesting pool deck or patio specimens.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
4'-20' / 1.2m - 6.1m
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Width
3'-15' / 0.9m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
Iran, India
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
