You’d really want a Mediterranean or California climate for a great pomegranate, but a decent one beats not having one at all.
The Basics
Pomegranate, Punica granatum, is a shrub or small tree in the family Lythraceae.
Origin and Habitat
Native to the region stretching from Iran to northern India, where it’s adapted to hot, dry summers and cool winters.
What It Looks Like
A shrubby tree with bright orange-red flowers and round fruit packed with juicy seed sacs called arils. Ours turned out to be a Vietnamese pink variety rather than a dark red Wonderful type, with seeds that are more pinkish and translucent.
Uses and Flavor
Eaten fresh by cracking open and separating the arils, or juiced. The Vietnamese pink variety we ended up with is milder than the classic dark red types.
Growing It Here
Got the seeds from Adam, the same friend who shared the sweeter Surinam cherry variety with us, originally off a tree growing in Hawi. Planted a run of them as a hedge where we were trying to push out guinea grass, putting them to work doing double duty. It’s still in a fairly overgrown area, so it’ll take some time yet to size up to its full potential.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing to report so far.
Kenta’s Take
You’d really want a Mediterranean or California climate for a great pomegranate, but a decent one, doing double duty as a hedge, beats not having one at all.