Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’

Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’

Characteristics

Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-11, Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’ is best grown in organically rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained, fertile loams in full sun. Plants fruit best in areas with long, hot and dry summers (90°F+) and cooler winters. Allow the soil to dry out almost completely before watering thoroughly. Remove soil suckers as they develop. Prune as needed in late winter.  Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’ is self-fruitful (pollinator not needed).

Noteworthy Characteristics

Punica granatum, commonly called pomegranate, is a multi-stemmed deciduous (evergreen in tropical areas) shrub or small tree that grows to 6-20’ (less frequently to 30’) tall. It has long been cultivated for its orange-sized edible fruit and its attractive ornamental plant features. It is native from southern Europe to northern India, but has naturalized over time around the Mediterranean and in a number of additional warm weather climates throughout the world including parts of the southeastern and southwestern U. S.

Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’ is a vigorous cultivar which was originally identified as a cutting in Florida in the late 1800s. It is noted for having exceptionally large fruit with a superb tangy flavor. This is the cultivar that is most commonly grown commercially for sale in grocery stores. Plants mature to 20′ tall, but may easily be pruned shorter. Showy, trumpet-shaped, light red summer flowers give rise to red oblate fruit (5-6″ diameter but often the size of a softball) with juicy, deep red pulp.

Problems

Species plants require dry, somewhat arid conditions with high temperatures (90°F+) in order to produce fruit. Species plants will not produce any fruit when grown in areas such as St. Louis (although some cultivars such as ‘Nana’ may fruit). Deer tend to avoid this plant. Potential disease problems include leaf spots, fruit blotch and rots. Potential insect problems include scale, stem borers, caterpillars, whitefly and mealybugs.

Garden Uses

Where winter hardy, site in beds and borders. Specimen/accent. Hedge. Mediterranean style gardens. Where not winter hardy, grow in containers which are overwintered indoors.