Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’

The Common Pomegranate is a small deciduous fruit tree or shrub that typically reaches heights of 2 to 6 meters. Widely cultivated in Israel, it has become a significant cultural symbol and is favored in both orchards and ornamental gardens. While it often resembles a large bush, it can be trained into a small tree with multiple trunks for home gardens. Dwarf varieties are also available for ornamental purposes. Though it does not grow wild in Israel, the pomegranate is one of the seven species mentioned in biblical texts and is believed to have originated from northern Iran (Persia), spreading to our region over 4,000 years ago.

The branches of the Common Pomegranate have slightly spiky tips and exhibit reddish hues in the lobes, turning a distinctive yellow in the fall. Depending on the variety, it blooms in spring, with fruits ripening during the summer months. The flowers are ornamental, characterized by their striking red color, measuring approximately 5 to 6 centimeters in diameter. The sepals are scabrous and remain attached even after fruit development. The petals are delicate, wrinkled, and numerous stamens are present. While the flowers do not produce nectar, they are rich in pollen and attract pollinating insects.

The pomegranate fruit is spherical, with a diameter ranging from 8 to 18 centimeters and a typical weight of around 500 grams. Each fruit contains many seeds, each encased in a juicy, pink or red aril that provides the fruit’s sweet taste and aroma. Birds play a vital role in seed dispersal, consuming the arils and excreting the hard seeds.

All parts of the pomegranate are associated with numerous health benefits, including antioxidant properties and blood pressure regulation. To protect ripening fruits from pests, it is advisable to wrap some fruits in paper bags by late spring (May), and to employ fly traps and preventive treatments to manage pests such as the pomegranate fruit fly.

The Common Pomegranate is primarily cultivated for its fruit and juice extraction, and it is also used to produce products such as Grandin liqueur and pomegranate wine (Shikra). Consumer demand has led to an increase in its cultivation in Israel in recent years. Various cultivars are available, ranging from sour to sweet, and with different ripening times throughout the season. Notable varieties include:

‘Rosh Hepard’: A sweet variety with pinkish skin that ripens in late August to September, offering a medium shelf life.

‘Black Pomegranate’: An astringent variety with sweet-sour fruits that ripen late (November to December) and have distinctive black and white skin.

‘Wonderful’: Known for its vibrant red fruits, this variety is prominently featured in our nursery.

Historically, pomegranate roots, bark, and seeds have been used to produce ink and medicinal remedies, and the fruit has been a popular motif in mosaics throughout the ages. The Common Pomegranate is the sole species in its family, making it a distant relative of the myrtle.

Additional trees from the same family: Punica granatum ‘Flore-pleno’ »