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Punica granatum is native to the area from Iran to the
Himalayas. It grows up to 5-6 meters high. 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.
Sweetly scented flowers and edible fruit in one. This
showy, dense 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
Pomegranate is about 2-5 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 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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