Pomegranate, Russian #26 
Punica granatum “Russian #26”

Pomegranate is the most ancient cultivated fruit still cultivated today. This sweet-tasting fruit is native to the Middle East and Central Asia and are considered sub-tropical cultivation. This makes a cold-hardy pomegranate an extraordinary find. Russian #26 was found approximately 60 years ago in southern Russian and was the twenty-sixth tree in the orchard row -- another strange story of plant naming! Russian #26 has proven to be more cold-tolerant than other, better-known cold-hardy species of pomegranate.
Russian #26 is self-pollinating and has experienced no freeze-back when grown in Central Texas. It is classified as viable in USDA zone 6a through 11. This species produces bright orange fruit which is considered one of the sweetest, most succulent fruit available. It is highly recommended for home orchards. The tree seldom reaches 10 foot when mature and is consistently 10 to 12 feet wide. It can really take the heat and should be cited in full sun for maximum fruit production. The plant can tolerate clay, but the soil must be well-drained. Once established, Russian #26 is a low-water usage plant.
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