Pomegranate Punica granatum    石榴     $3.25      20 Seeds 
 
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.