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Punica granatum nana is native to the area from Iran to
the Himalayas. It makes a good candidate for bonsai
because it gets a maximum of only 4 feet tall. It has a
marvelous naturally-twisting style trunk that very easily
adopts a gnarled, ancient appearance.
The deciduous leaves start out the year bronzy, develop
to a brightly shimmering green and end the year an
attractive shade of yellow. The leaves cling to the shrub
until quite late in the year, returning slowly in Spring.
In subtropical areas, it is semi-evergreen, unlike the
species generally, but entirely deciduous in North areas.
It is not only small in stature, but even the flowers and
fruits are dwarfed. Sweetly scented flowers and edible
fruit in one. This showy, dense dwarf tree
displays, at an early age, attractive orange-red "trumpet
style" flowers from late Summer-Fall.
Small fruits follow the flowers. The rounded fruit of the
Dwarf Pomegranate is about two inches wide and red when
ripe. Each fruit is divided into about half a dozen
compartment. Each compartment contains many small seeds
surrounded by skinny pinkish red flesh which is full of
juice. The seeds are packed tightly together. It will
bear miniature fruits if grown in areas with year-round
temperatures that rarely fall below 40°F. But even if it
never gets fruit, the flowers are quite beautiful.
Hardiness zone 7, (-15°C/5°F) in Winter. Fine a place
where it is sheltered from frost and not exposed to
drying winds. The soil in which it is placed should be a
light, rich loam. Likes well-draining soil and semi-arid
watering conditions. The plants thrive in a semi-arid
atmosphere and once established need very little water,
about once a week. Although they enjoy dry conditions, be
sure to increase watering to 2 or 3 times a week while
flowering and producing fruits.This tree responds well to
hot, sunny conditions. Place the Pomegranate in a
position of good light.
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