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This species, growing to 15 ft (4.5 m) tall and 10 ft (3 m) wide,
has 3 in (8 cm) long, blunt-tipped, glossy leaves.
Its large, 8-petalled, funnel-shaped, red-orange flowers appear at
the branch tips in spring and summer; these are followed by the
apple-like fruit.
Green before ripening to orange-red, each pomegranate has a thick
rind surrounding masses of seeds in a reddish, sweet pulp.
A range of cultivars is available, the fruit varying from very sweet
to acidic and the flowers from red, pink or white.
Punica granatum var. nana, a dwarf cultivar growing to 3 ft (1 m)
high, has single orange-red flowers and small fruit.
The commercially cultivated Wonderful has double, orange-red flowers
and large fruit.
Flowering colors: Orange, Pink, Red, White
Cultivation: Pomegranates can be grown in a wide range of climates,
from tropical to warm-temperate, but the red or orange fruit will
ripen only where summers are hot and dry.
Plant in deep, well-drained soil preferably in a sheltered, sunny
position.
Propagate from seed ior from cuttings or by removing suckers.
They can be pruned as a hedge and also make good tub specimens. |
