Punica granatum Nana - Pomegranate seeds

The pomegranate, also known as Punica granatum or Carthaginian apple, is a small, deciduous, bushy tree that remains attractive throughout most of the year. Indigenous to the Mediterranean basin, it is a heat-loving tree that is still relatively hardy. Its summer striking vermillion summer flowers form a perfect combination with its bright green foliage. Long, hot summers are needed for it to produce large, round fruit filled with sweet, juicy, flesh. The foliage takes on a lovely golden hue in autumn. This generous shrub is very undemanding regarding the soil and very drought-resistant. Older pomegranates often have a twisted trunk with cracked grey-brownish bark that peels off in flakes.

The origins of the pomegranate probably lie in a vast region covering South-Eastern Europe and extending eastwards to the Himalayas. Curiously, this small deciduous tree of the Lythraceae family is related to the purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) that is so commonly widespread along waterways. It has been cultivated since ancient times for its fruit and magnificent blooms. It forms a slightly thorny bush of tangled twigs in its youth, showing fairly rapid growth until it can start bearing fruit after 5 years of age. The adult plant develops at a much slower rate, forming a small tree measuring 4 m high and 3 m wide after a few years, with a spreading, rounded growth habit. It evolves from a clump to a tree on a twisted trunk, with a charm similar to olive trees. It blooms profusely in June-July, becoming more sporadic throughout the summer. The flowers are made up of wrinkled petals emerging from a thick, waxy calyx which already resembles the pomegranate to come. They take on an intense vermilion hue under the summer sun, forming a perfect chromatic match with the lively, glossy, intense green foliage. In favourable weather conditions, pomegranates ripen at the end of October or early November. They are large round, 10 to 15 cm diameter, yellow to orange-pink fruits. They contain many light pink to red berries featuring a more or less, acidic or sweet pulp, all tightly packed within the thick skin. The foliage turns bright yellow before disappearing in autumn.

The pomegranate is a symbol of fertility and abundance, a magnificent specimen plant for a warm position. Hardy down to -12/-15 °C, it will grow without any problem wherever olive and fig trees manage to grow. It can also be used as a hedge if pruned regularly. Planted in a large pot along with citrus fruits and oleanders, it will reign over the terrace. Growing in a container allows the fruit to reach full maturity in all sunny regions, by overwintering the tree in a very bright, warm room.