PUNICA granatum 'Legrellei'

Interesting shrubby, or arboreal, deciduous polliniferous plant, with a characteristic upright and expanded habit. Elegant variety of the classic pomegranate, it can reach a maximum height of between 3 and 4 meters over time. Branched from the base and endowed with the ability to emit suckers from the roots, it has the trunks covered by a gray bark extended even to the thinnest stems which, in turn, can be more or less thorny. The leaves, oblong in shape, are glossy dark green and opposite on the upper lamina. Between May and July the plant produces tubular flowers with a red and leathery calyx and a large corolla rich in scarlet petals streaked with yellow; this variety of pomegranate does not produce fruit in autumn, when however it is possible to enjoy the color change of the leaves which, as in the type species, before falling are tinged with a showy golden-yellow.

Rustic plant of easy cultivation, it needs a sunny position and any type of soil even if it prefers rich, dry and well-drained ones. Once established, it tolerates drought but some watering in summer could improve the appearance of the foliage and bloom. It also tolerates saltiness so it can be used for coastal gardens. It tolerates both frost and low temperatures. After the vegetative restart, dry and damaged branches can be removed, excess basal suckers eradicated and some of the more vigorous stems shortened to improve branching. It is also suitable for pots or large containers; in the open ground it can be used alone or in groups and to create important hedges.