The Rogue Valley climate allows us to get away with growing Pomegranates; with the possibility of getting fruit!  Unlike the Pacific Northwest, which generally doesn’t get enough heat to ripen Pomegranates, Pomegranates will thrive in our longer, hot summers. We also usually don’t get cold enough to damage them so give this Persian fruit a try!  They thrive in a hot, dry, and ideally protected spot (to make sure the fruit ripens) and the tropical looking bright orange flowers add an unusual element to any garden.   Against a south facing wall is best. We have seen some old specimens in Ashland and Central Point so we know once established they will make it through most any winter.  The key is to protect them if it gets below 20 degrees the first couple of winters.  Once established, a severe cold snap can kill them to the ground – however they regrow quickly from the roots.  Pomegranates have narrow, bright green leaves turning golden in the fall and frilly, saturated orange/red blooms.  Pomegranates make a great landscape plant even if you don’t get fruit.  The fruit usually ripens in September or October.  You can grow them as a large shrub or small multi or single trunk tree; maybe getting to 15′ at maturity.  They can be quite drought tolerant once established.  They are self-fertile and the nutritional benefits of pomegranates are well known.  Ask Scott if you want to know more- he is obsessed!

Pomegranates

The varieties that will do the best in the Rogue Valley are (note the sizes listed are based on information mostly from California, they will probably stay smaller in Oregon):

‘Early Wonderful’- ripens 2 weeks earlier than the more common ‘Wonderful’ variety so good choice for Oregon. Large, deep red fruits

‘Wonderful’ – The most commonly grown commercial variety. Extra large fruit with juicy, sharp flavor, shrub or tree to 18′, will ripen in Sept., makes a nice ornamental shrub as well, tolerates alkaline soil

‘Granada’– resembles ‘Wonderful’ but deeper red blossoms, and ripens one month earlier, darker fruit and less tart than ‘Wonderful’, better choice for coastal climates, can get up to 20′

‘Utah Sweet’– very sweet, with pink skin and pulp, soft seeded variety and non-staining, flowers are more pinkish-orange  than the red-orange of other varieties, 12-15′,slightly more cold hardy, ripens in October

‘Mardi Gras’– Ornamental variety with orange-red flowers from late spring to early summer, 8-10′ tall and wide, hardy to zone 7b, drought tolerant

‘Nana’- (dwarf Pomegranate), very hardy, compact, ornamental pomegranate.  Will get same beautiful orange flowers and 2″ diameter fruit that is decorative but not really edible.  Stays about 3′ by 3′ and is a great choice for full, hot sun with long lasting interest, great in a container