Pomegranates are good choices for drought tolerant gardens.   They can take regular garden watering, but will grow in drought conditions once established.

These deciduous trees can grow up to 20 feet tall and across, forming a large round shrub.  They can also be trimmed and formed into multi-trunk trees. 

Some ornamental pomegranate varieties are smaller, remaining under ten feet tall.  Their leaves are slightly smaller and they still bear fruits about the size of a large golf ball.  All pomegranates bloom in the spring and bear fruit in the fall.  In autumn, pomegranates leaves turn yellow and make a pretty picture against the bright red fruits.

One of my favorite things about pomegranates are the amazing flowers!  The flowers are dramatic red to orange with flowers up to three inches in diameter.  The photos here are of my tree, the flower color is vivid and bright.  The orange blossoms seem to glow. 

A shrub covered with giant orange flowers can make a dramatic impact in your landscape.  But the color can be overpowering.  If they will be blooming the same time as other plants next to them, try mixing with colors like whites, yellows or blues.  As patio plants pomegranates are fine as long as you remember they will drop their leaves (and fruit) in fall, so don't put them too close to the pool.

The fruits can be up to six inches across and are orange to red, with a leathery skin, and juicy, pulpy seeds.  The dark red juice is sweet and tart.  The seeds can be eaten whole or pressed for their juice.  The juice is also notorious for stains, so don't let Mom see you eating them in your good clothes!

The pomegranate is native to areas in northern India to Iran.  They have become naturalized throughout the Mediterranean.  Thanks to our similar climates, they are equally happy in Southern California gardens.

The pomegranate growing over my back fence is in heavy, clay alkaline soil and is happy with below average water.  Here are photos of its beautiful bright glowing orange flowers in spring.