Punica granatum Chico - Pomegranate

Punica granatum 'Chico' or 'Nana Gracillissima' has all the features of a pomegranate tree, but in miniature. By combining incredible flowering and surprising fruiting, it shines throughout the summer. From June to September, the long flowering period constantly produces beautiful, vibrant orange flowers with crumpled petals perfectly highlighted by dark green, glossy, and leathery foliage. The numerous, round fruits measuring 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in diameter, with thick and shiny skin, ripen to a deep red colour and are crowned with inward-curled petal-like appendices at the tip. Edible but rather acidic, it is preferable to consume them in salads rather than as fresh fruit. With its small size, this pomegranate tree is well suited for small spaces. It tolerates sea spray and wind, making it ideal for coastal gardens. It is best planted in spring when the climate warms up, in any deep and well-draining soil, even relatively dry.

Punica granatum, commonly known as Pomegranate or Balaustier, Carthaginian Apple, Punic Apple, or Pomegranate, is a deciduous small tree belonging to the Lythraceae family (previously included in the Punicaceae family). Born in Persia more than 5000 years ago, the pomegranate tree can be found throughout history in Egypt, Greece, Africa, and later in Spain. It is cultivated from Asia to Europe. The city of Granada, a crossroads of Arab and Andalusian civilizations located in southern Spain, owes its name to the presence of the pomegranate tree, brought by the Moors and widely planted in the mythical gardens of the Alhambra palace. This tree also adorned the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the Romans discovered it in Carthage, naming it the Apple of Carthage. It is a species with a long lifespan, capable of living up to 200 years.

The variety 'Chico' or 'Nana Gracillissima' has somewhat uncertain origins, and it can be found in many countries around the Mediterranean. This small deciduous very compact shrub offers abundant and regular flowering and fruiting. Its dense and branched habit is similar in all respects to its cousin, but it does not exceed 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and spread at maturity. 'Chico' first forms a tuft of thorny and tangled branches with fairly rapid growth until maturity, which does not occur until the age of 5. The adult plant develops at a much slower pace, forming a slightly spreading and rounded bush after a few years. Its deciduous foliage is composed of small ovate leaves, 2 to 4 cm (0.8 to 1.6 in) long and 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 in) wide, glossy and bright green. They emerge bronze to purple in spring and turn beautiful autumnal shades of golden yellow to reddish-orange before falling in autumn. The pomegranate tree is monoecious, meaning it bears both male flowers that produce pollen and female flowers that will bear fruit. Attractive to pollinating insects, the flowering period lasts from June to September. The flowers are approximately 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter and have a very double pom-pom shape. They are composed of crumpled, vibrant orange petals, emerging from a thick waxy calyx that already evokes the future pomegranate. Flowers and fruits are simultaneously present on the plant. It is a variety known for its good resistance to cold, tolerating temperatures around -15°C (5 °F). The pomegranate tree is self-fertile, with male and female flowers able to pollinate each other, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit.

In the category of Pomegranate trees, 'Chico' stands out for its small size and intense flowering, which can bring animation throughout the summer. Easy to grow and resistant to diseases, it will thrive in all regions in a sheltered position and well-drained soil. However, it still needs warmth and sunshine in summer to flower abundantly. In the garden, it can be used in a low hedge, combined with Myrtle, Cotton Lavender, or Lavender in mild climates, or with Silver Anniversary Butterfly Bush in colder regions. It adds brightness to a rock garden or flower bed, along with sage, Phlomis, Rosemary, Perovskia, Sedum, etc. As in the gardens of the Alhambra, it can even be paired with bush roses (Rosa Ispahan, Rosa gallica versicolor, Jacques Cartier). On the terrace or balcony, it can be placed in a large pot, along with other shrubs for the terrace. This cultivation method allows the tree to be stored in a very bright, warm room in very cold regions.