Russian 26 Cold Hardy Pomegranate

Punica granatum ‘Russian 26’

NOTE: As with all of our other plants and trees, all of our fruit plants are grown in containers outdoors so they are fully rooted and landscape-ready upon arrival.

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6b-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Fruit Tree

Requires Pollinator? No, but two plants can enhance pollination

Chilling Hours: None Required Learn more here

Height at Maturity: 10-12′

Width at Maturity: 10-12′

Growth Habit / Form: Rounded, Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Flower Color: Orange

Flowering Period: Spring

Foliage Color: Green

Fruit Color: Orange-red
Fruit Size: Large
Fruit Taste: Said to be the sweetest of any pomegranate!

Ripening Period: Summer to Early Fall depending on location

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Silt, Sand

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.0

Maintenance / Care: Low

Description

The most cold and heat tolerant Pomegranate we’ve ever grown, in our Georgia USDA Zone 8a gardens ‘Russian 26’ has suffered no freeze damage down to 3 degrees F! Based on feedback from our customers over the years, Russian 26 can be safely grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 6b-11. This pomegranate is self-pollinating so you only have to plant one.

But the great attributes don’t stop with cold hardiness…

In spring, your Russian 26 Pomegranate will produce lots of fluorescent orange single flowers that really light up the garden. That said, two plants enhances pollination and increases fruit production. The flowers are followed by large, bright orange-red fruit that are filled with delectable, nutrient-packed, dark red seeds that are amazingly sweet and said to be the sweetest of any Pomegranate!

Russian 26 is a hard seeded pomegranate variety.

Some History

The original Russian 26 Pomegranate plant was found in the mid-1900’s in southern Russia. It got it’s name from being the 26th plant in the orchard row, which proved over time to be much more cold hardy than other species in the same orchard.

NOTE: As with all of our other plants and trees, all of our fruit plants are grown in containers outdoors so they are fully rooted and landscape-ready upon arrival.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing up to 10 feet tall and wide with a naturally rounded shape, the Russian 26 Pomegranate can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form an attractive small tree. Its electric-orange flowers, red fruits, and attractive foliage make the Russian 26 Pomegranate ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in the ornamental landscape. A fine addition to the backyard orchard, tropical look gardens, orange and red theme gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 14 feet or more for space between plants

Growing Preferences

When planted right, and in the right spot Pomegranates are very easy to grow.

Soil Preferences: Though pomegranates will tolerate most any type of average garden soil, as with most other fruit trees, Pomegranate grow best in a deep, loam soil rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. So make sure to plant in a well-drained site. Brief periods of flooding won’t cause problems provided the soil is well-draining. If you live in an area that can experience long rainy periods it’s best to plant Pomegranate on raised beds or mounds. The soil pH tolerance for Pomegranate is wide as well. They will grow in moderately acid to moderately alkaline soils that range from 4.5 to 8.2 on the pH scale, so pH usually isn’t a concern.

Sun Preferences: The best and most pomegranate fruits will be produced when plants are growing in full sun. However, pomegranate plants that receive a little shade during the hottest part of summer days will still produce good crops.

PLEASE NOTE

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a specific geographic location. The zones are based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10 degree F zones. That said, due to that any specific location can experience an unusually cold winter, where temperatures drop below the typical average indicated in the USDA Zone Plant Hardiness Zones data, the zones are not always 100% accurate. Therefore, in USDA Zones 6 and 7 we suggest providing some winter protection for your Russian 26 Pomegranate tree. A 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch will help protect the roots during winter. Mulch can be thinned to 1 to 2 inches when temperatures warm in spring. Planting your Russian 26 on the east side of a home or in a location where it will be sheltered from north and western winds will also help to provide protection during the cool season.

For more helpful tips see: How To Protect Plants From Cold Weather

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to get helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Pomegranate bushes or trees.

How To Plant A Pomegranate Bush Or Tree

How To Prune A Pomegranate Bush Or Tree

How To Fertilize & Water A Pomegranate Bush Or Tree

How To Make A Pomegranate Tree To Produce More Fruit

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Questions? Contact Us!

I was very pleasantly surprised by the packaging and quality of my 6-pack of pomegranate plants. They were all very healthy upon arrival and have flourished since then. We are in zone 6b and all of our friends are amazed that we can grow pomegranates in SW Missouri. Our plants are not big enough to produce fruit yet, but we do have ideal conditions for them and so far they are doing amazingly well. Beautiful leaves! My photo shows all the healthy buds the day my 6 one gallon plants arrived.———————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received the plants I ordered. I am very satisfied, they are better than I expected. You do a good job in packaging. Keep up the good work and be safe. Thank You.—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

All 6 of these pomegranate trees were beautiful and healthy on arrival, which was very timely. Highly recommend. Be sure to harden off the tree before planting.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plants arrived way sooner than I expected and in good order. Planted three in the duck yard and after more than a month and two are doing well.. One is by where the duck pond drains and is looking like too much water. My bad. Planted three in the small orchard and they are also doing well. The deer seem to leave them alone. I plan on using Wilson’s again. They came recommended by several of the old time farm families here.————————————–We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG