Pomegranates in England

[Hereford fruit grower]

I worded this thread carefully, because I know they grow in Spain and Israel. But has anyone been even mildly successful in England ...?

I bought one ~4 yrs ago from a well-known supplier of unusual fruiting trees, variety = 'Wonderful'. My experience is that it's not even useful as an ornamental garden plant. It wakes up in June and goes to sleep again in October or so, after a brief colouring-up of the leaves. But in terms of autumn colour, a small maple would be more gardenworthy and some pears and cherries are also quite good.

I'm well aware that Herefordshire isn't the south coast, but apricots and other fruits that used to be difficult thrive here in the open garden. So my hunch is that this is a waste of space anywhere on this island, unless you have spare greenhouse space in central London.

Anyway, before I dig it up, if anyone has a favoured microclimate and can give it a home, do let me know. So far it's only about 600 mm wide x 500 mm high so it's easily transportable.

[DannyK]

I have seen one fruiting in Chelsea Physic Garden. It was against a tall brick wall. Parts of London are lucky with microclimates. Also seen one flowering in Golders Green Park, no idea if it fruited.

I've had a dwarf one regularly flower but it does lose it's leaves in October. Flowers are very pretty though.

Nice to know I'm not the only one to fall for supplier's puff! Wish I'd come across this forum earlier

[Paulie]

A bit off topic, but I once read that the Australian slang for British people - pommie - derives from pomegranate. Apparently the red flush on pomegranates is similar to a typically sunburnt Englishman down under. As you were...

[flynch]

Shame about the distance, I'm on the south coast. Space in the greenhouse though. I'd be willing to pay p&p if that's possible

[Kirk]

Variety Provence may have been a better option but they seem to be a bit of a boarderline plant in the UK;
Google: pomegranate growing in uk

The further south the better and the location needs to be sheltered and a bit of a sun trap.
Can take a bit of a frost but I guess too easy to dip below whatever it is. RHS says -5 to +1.
They do well as a bonsai, quite a few try them as such.

[TrixC]

I have one, variety Provence, growing in a pot on my patio. It’s 3 years’ old and flowered for the first time last year, but no fruit set - not sure if I should have pollinated it by hand. Since buying it I’ve done some reading which suggests we’re extremely unlikely to get fruit ripening in the UK as it requires a long hot summer. I will keep the plant because the flowers are gorgeous, and I like the challenge of growing unusual fruits.