What type of bush (or tree) is this? - Ask Extension
Please identify the type of bush. I was once told it is a pomegranate tree that has grown in to a bush because it was not thinned out. The bush (or tr...
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What type of bush (or tree) is this? #756512
Asked June 16, 2021, 8:45 AM EDT
Please identify the type of bush. I was once told it is a pomegranate tree that has grown in to a bush because it was not thinned out. The bush (or tree) is over 34 years old. It flowers once per year in early to mid June. It stands about 7 feet tall.
District of Columbia County District of Columbia
Expert Response
Yes, this does look like a dwarf Pomegranate (Punica granatum, likely variety 'Nana'). They are more shrub-like than a tree regardless of pruning, at least in our area. While the mature size of this variety is usually stated as about five feet high, at this age, they certainly can grow to be taller, like this impressive seven-footer.
Generally, Pomegranate is not reliably winter-hardy here, but slightly warmer areas like D.C. and other protected sites allow them to survive. Even so, they usually don't ripen fruit because we don't have a long-enough growing season.
Miri
