I live just south-west of Baltimore. Does anyone know if Pomegranate Trees will grow in my area? From what I can tell, it appears they will grow as far North was Washington DC but they typically won't produce fruits this far north. The information I have found has been limited.

Have had to cut down a number of large trees on my property (Tulip Poplars, Hemlock, Pine) due to storm damage and being located too close to structures.

Looking to plant a couple new ones to fill in some large bare spots and meet the obligations of my HOA. I'm looking for something fairly unique/different for one area near my house and a Pomegranate Tree would fit the bill though I'm pretty sure I'm too far North.

Any other suggestions??

Thanks!

 

There are many varieties of pomegranates. Some are purely ornamental. Others are grown for fruit. Some varieties are more cold hardy than others.

Pomegranate is a subtropical/tropical plant and adapts to hot, dry summers. While more cold hardy than citrus plants, most are not that cold hardy. Some can tolerate temps to 10 degrees and others succumb to cold at 18 degrees. Ornamental type pomegranates tend to be more cold hardy. Fruiting varieties tend to survive the more southerly mild winters. Those who grow pomegranates in the north tend to grow them in pots.

Your local Cooperative Extension Agent can provide you with info on a cold hardy variety for your area. A local nursery may be helpful. I know that you are looking for a tree that is unique and different, but planting native species provides greater assurance of survival of the tree.



Photo Credit: justfruitsandexotics.com

 

>>but planting native species provides greater assurance of survival of the tree.

This is very true... and a good point..

Any suggestions?? Qualities that I am looking for:

* tree native to climate zone
* small to mid-sized - tree to be located 30'-40' away from my house
* something I don't currently have.. looking to add variety.. currently have a large Hertiage/River Birch, Dog woods, large tulip poplars
* heat/sun tolerant.. will be planted in a area that gets a good amount of sunlight and exposed.

Thanks...

 

I'm sure that Twelvepole won't mind me jumping in here as I too live sw of Baltimore. I'm thinking your hardiness zone will be 7. You can use this zip code zone finder if you aren't sure of your zone.
http://www.garden.org/zipzone/

Here's a zone map of Maryland.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/c...ps/MDhardy.jpg

One of my favorite natives for our region is the fringe tree aka fringetree. There is the native Chionanthus virginicus
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...us&btnG=Search

and the non-native Chionanthus retusus aka Chinese fringetree.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

I planted a male and a female natives, as this tree needs both to produce seeds for the birds. If you can only plant one and don't know of or have another nearby, the male will give you more flowers. I actually called many local nurseries and asked them to look for a female for me when it had seed pods. I had found a known male at a local nursery. Btw, the fragrance, especially in the evening, is delightful.

Another native for our area that would be a good choice if it's not going to be placed where it will overhang a driveway, sidewalk or other place where people walk, would be the serviceberry aka shadbush - Amelanchier canadensis. The birds just gobble up the berries as soon as they're ripe, but those they miss get tracked into the house and stain the floors. It does wash away, but it's a bit of a nuisance. I inherited mine with the house, so placement and choice of variety wasn't up to me. There are named varieties now that don't sucker as much as mine does and even offer nice fall color. The species that I have doesn't have nice fall color. They will develop surface roots over time, so you'll need a nice mulch ring.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...is&btnG=Search

The common persimmon aka Diospyros virginiana is native to this area, but I think you'll find it will get larger then you desire.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...na&btnG=Search

The local extension service has some really good info on trees and plants, but here's some links for native plants and trees I think you'll find helpful. Lots of good stuff at this first link. I'm pretty sure you are in the Piedmont region too, so scroll down to the trees and click on that.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/nativesMD/lists.htm
http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/toc.htm
http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/Bay...tiveguides.htm

Some native plant nurseries in the Chesapeake Bay region.
http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/nursery.htm

For more helpful info from the above site,
http://www.fws.gov/

do some searching with terms such as:
BayScapes (one word as typed)
Chesapeake Bay natives

If you need sites on how to plant or mulch your trees, just lmk.

Newt

 

Great information.. thank you

 

You are very welcome! I'd love to know what tree you decide on.

Newt