Plant Profile: Pomegranate

Pomegranate:

           

            General info: Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are native to Persia. They are popular for their strong anti-oxidant properties, and rich, tart flavor. Pomegranates are naturally dense, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub. Usually grows to 10-12’. The branches are slender and thorny. Colorful, orange-red flowers appear in spring and summer. Pomegranates are extremely heat tolerant.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; container tree

            Ornamental qualities: Showy, scarlet flowers; glossy, green leaves; brightly colored fruit

            Planting: Prefers well drained soil and good air circulation. Plant in at least 6 hours of full sun to ensure good fruit quality and color.

            Pruning: Pomegranates can be pruned into either single trunk or multi-trunk trees. Single-trunk trees should have a single trunk to about 12-18”, then split into 5-6 major branches. Multi-trunk trees have 3-6 of the strongest branches as the trunks. Remove unneeded growth and suckers regularly. Major pruning should be done in winter.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Drought tolerant once established. Supplemental irrigation is needed during periods of drought. Fertilize in spring and mid-summer.

Varieties:

            Giant Russian: Vase-shaped, large, bright fruit. Tolerates southern heat and humidity.

           

            Angel Red: Matures in September. Vivid red color. Highest juice content per fruit. Seeds are soft enough to be edible. Bears heavily.

Plant Profile: Plum

'Santa Rosa' plum in early spring

Plum:

            General info: Plums (Prunus) are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. They put on a beautiful display of blooms in the spring. Plums are an excellent source of Vitamin A & C, as well as other nutrients. They can grow to about 15-20’ tall, but can be kept under 10” with proper pruning.

            Planting: Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Early morning sun is important to help dry the leaves and reduce the chance of disease. If necessary, cut off any broken or mutilated roots, otherwise keep root pruning to a minimum. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen or shade tree

            Ornamental qualities: Fragrant white blossoms in spring; fruit

            Pruning: Plums need to be pruned into a vase shaped tree with an open center to promote good air circulation and to let sunlight in. This helps reduce the chance for disease, and makes it easier to harvest the fruit. Pruning should be done during mid-February.

First remove dead, diseased, broken, and low hanging limbs. Do not allow the tree to form a dominant central leader. Prune out any crossing braches growing back towards the center, and any vigorous, upright shoots that developed from the inside of the main branches. You can think of the tree being pruned to look like your hand with your palm facing up, cupped, and fingers spread. Pruning may also be done in the summer after fruit harvest.

            Approximately 4 weeks after bloom, thin out the plums so there is about 6” between each fruit. Removal of excess fruit is necessary to ensure proper ripening and to reduce limb breakage.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and again in summer. Do not let fertilizer accumulate around the trunk.

Varieties:

            Methley: A southern favorite. Deep red-purplish skin. Amber with red streaked flesh. Medium to large. High quality. Mild, sweet, distinctive flavor.

            Santa Rosa: Most important commercial & home orchard variety. Large, oval shape. Purplish-red skin, purplish flesh. Firm, rich, sweet-tart flavor. Somewhat self-fertile, but does better with pollinator.

Plant Profile: Pecan

Pecan:

            General info: Pecan trees (Carya illinoensis) are a staple of the South and are found in both rural and urban environments. They are native to North America and are grown from Illinois to Florida. Pecan trees can reach 70-100 ft. in height and 40-80 ft. in width. The nuts are heart healthy and high in vitamins and minerals.

Pecan trees often bear on alternating years, and will begin producing within 5-7 years. Cross-pollination results in the best nut production.  

            Landscape uses: Shade tree.

            Ornamental qualities: Stately form when full grown.

            Planting: Plant in well drained soil and full sun. Be sure to give the tree plenty of room to grow and mature. Spacing 40-80 ft. apart is best. Crowding can cause misshaped trees and poor production. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

            Pruning: Thin any dead or diseased branches as needed.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Newly planted trees need about 10-15 gal. of water per week fro the first 2 or 3 years. Regular water is important at any age to ensure a good crop production, especially during the nut filling stage (during the first 2 weeks of Sept.). Fertilize in March and again in June. Do not place fertilizer closer than 12” from the trunk.

Varieties:

            Stewart: Most widely planted of all varieties. Good quality, medium size. May take 8-10 years to produce a good crop.

            Desirable: A leading variety in the Southeast. Consistent, productive bearer. Medium to large size. Noted for good eating quality.

Plant Profile: Peach

'June Gold' starting to bloom in early spring

Peach:

            General info: Peaches (Prunus persica) are called the Queen of fruits. They are admired for their showy, fragrant blooms and tasty fruit. Peach trees are second only to apple trees in popularity.

Peaches can be divided into two categories according to their type of flesh: melting and non-melting. Melting varieties soften as they ripen, and are very juicy. Non-melting varieties stay firm even while ripening. They can also be divided according to how the flesh separates from the pit. Freestone peaches separate easily from the pit, while clingstone peaches “cling” to the pit.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; mixed border.

            Ornamental qualities: Showy pink blossoms in spring; long, arching leaves all summer long.

            Planting: Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Early morning sun is important to help dry the leaves and reduce the chance of disease. If necessary, cut off any broken or mutilated roots, otherwise keep root pruning to a minimum. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

           

            Pruning: Peaches need to be pruned into a vase shaped tree with an open center to promote good air circulation and to let sunlight in. This helps reduce the chance for disease, and makes it easier to harvest the fruit. Pruning should be done during mid-February.

First remove dead, diseased, broken, and low hanging limbs. Do not allow the tree to form a dominant central leader. Prune out any crossing braches growing back towards the center, and any vigorous, upright shoots that developed from the inside of the main branches. You can think of the tree being pruned to look like your hand with your palm facing up, cupped, and fingers spread. Pruning may also be done in the summer after fruit harvest.

            Approximately 4 weeks after bloom, thin out the peaches so there is about 6” between each fruit. Removal of excess fruit is necessary to ensure proper ripening and to reduce limb breakage.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and again in summer. Do not let fertilizer accumulate around the trunk.

Varieties:

            Tropic Snow: White flesh, semi-freestone. Extremely sweet flavor. Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

           

            Florida King: Yellow flesh, semi-freestone. Beautiful red blush over a yellow base color. Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

           

            Florida Crest: Excellent flavor. Red colored skin. Yellow flesh, semi-cling.  Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

            June Gold: Heavy producer. Delicious, yellow flesh. Clingstone. Self-fertile.

            Suwanee: Beautiful, large freestone. Sweet, mild flavor. Self-fertile.

           

            Harvester: Firm, highly colored with yellow flesh. Excellent quality. Freestone. Self-fertile.

Plant Profiles: Mulberry

Mulberry:

            General info: Mulberry (Morus) trees are often called blackberry trees because the fruit looks like long blackberries. The taste is similar to a blackberry. Black mulberries are sweeter and less acidic then red or white mulberries. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into jellies or syrups. The trees are large and fast growing, and can reach 15-50’ depending on variety. Mulberries are rarely found in stores because they only last a few days after harvesting, unless they are frozen or dried.

Landscape uses: Specimen or shade tree

Ornamental qualities: Lush leaves all summer

            Planting: Grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, but is tolerant of poorer soils.

            Pruning: Remove dead and crossing branches each winter.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in late winter and mid-summer. Minimal fertilizer is needed.

Varieties:

            Pakistan: Very large, ruby-red to maroon colored fruit can reach 2 ½ to 5 inches long. Firmer berries than most varieties. Very sweet, raspberry-like flavor. Excellent quality. Ripens in summer. Originated in Pakistan. Must insulate trunk of young trees before hard freezes. Foam pipe insulation (normally used for copper pipes) works well.

            Native: Red berries mature to dark burgundy. Can reach a height of 65 feet.

Plant Profiles: Chestnut

Chestnut:

            General info: Chestnut trees (Castanea) are the most important tree in American history. They were prized for their nuts as well as their wood. During the Great Depression, millions of acres of Chestnut forests were destroyed by a severe blight. Today, a new, blight-resistant cultivar is available to begin re-establishing trees and orchards across America.

Chestnuts are delicious and healthy (low in fat, and similar nutritionally to wheat and brown rice) and are excellent when roasted or steamed. The trees can grow up to 80’ tall and are long lived.

            Landscape uses: Shade tree

            Ornamental qualities: Blossoms in spring; glossy green leaves

            Planting: Plant two trees for cross-pollination. Plant in full sun and well drained soil.

           

            Pruning: If the central leader becomes too dominant, prune to encourage branching. Thin any dead or diseased branches as needed.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and summer.

Varieties:

            Dunstan: Best and most widely planted variety in America. Blight-resistant. Upright growth form with spreading branches. Large, glossy green leaves and cream-colored blooms. Begin to bear in 2-4 years. 60-80’ tall, 30-40’ wide.

Plant Profiles: Blueberries

Blueberries:

            General info: Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are native to Georgia, and are the best type of blueberries for homeowners to grow. They taste great, are a listed superfood, and are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and iron.  Blueberries ripen from late May through the middle of July. To lengthen your harvest season, choose several varieties that ripen at different times. Plant in full sun to part-sun. They are semi self-fertile, but will produce more fruit if more than one type is planted to cross-pollinate.

           

            Landscape uses: Specimen shrub, foundation planting or hedge

           

            Ornamental qualities: Spring blossoms; bluish-green leaves in summer; red leaves in fall; red colored stems in fall/winter

           

            Planting: Transplant blueberries the same depth as in the container. Blueberries like acidic soil; mix peat moss with soil when planting and use pine bark as mulch to help retain acidity. Firm the soil around the plant. Prune about 1/3 of the plant back and remove twiggy growth.

           

            Pruning: When the bush reaches 6-8’ in height, begin removing 1 to 3 of the largest canes each winter by cutting back to 2’ or less. In addition, extra-tall stems can be pruned back to 6-8’ in winter.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Water the plants throughout the growing season, unless rainfall is adequate. Fertilize with azalea/camellia fertilizer in the spring after new growth begins. (Azalea/camellia fertilizer is low in nitrogen, which blueberries like.) Fertilize again in May & July if rainfall or irrigation has been adequate. Spread the fertilizer under the plant in an 18” circle.

           

Varieties:

            Becki Blue: Early season, light blue, med. to large berries with sweet flavor. Tall, upright grower.

            Brightwell: Vigorous, upright grower produces plenty of medium size fruit early to mid season. Considered one of the top varieties in the world. Named after blueberry developer Dr. James Brightwell of Tifton, GA.

            Climax: Early season, medium to large size berries with good flavor. Prized for abundant crop production. Excellent choice to extend picking time because of its early ripening period. Upright and open growth habit.

           

            Powederblue: Similar to Tifblue, except for the powdery blush on the berries. Ripens mid-season.

Premier: Early season berries. Very productive and easy-to-grow plant size for the home gardener.

Tifblue: Large, light blue, mid to late season berries with excellent flavor. Large, firm fruit are tart until fully ripe. Some consider this variety to be the best in both taste and appearance.

           

            Woodard: Early season, large, high-quality, light blue berries. Vigorous grower.

Plant Profile: Blackberries & Raspberries

Blackberries & Raspberries:

            General info: Blackberries and raspberries (Rubus) are both native American fruit that grows as a small shrub or vine. They are easy to grow, and are productive for 15-20 years. Plants begin to bear in 2-3 years. Raspberries can be red, black, or golden and are ripe when they loose their glossy shine and turn slightly dull.

Blackberries & raspberries produce on biennial (two-year) canes. The canes grow one season, produce fruit the second season, then die. New canes are produced annually, so berries should be present each year.

            Landscape uses: Train along a fence or trellis, or tie up a decorative post.

            Ornamental qualities: White blossoms in late spring; rich green leaves

            Planting: Plant in full sun with room to grow on a two wire trellis. To create the trellis, place stakes/posts at each end with two wires stretched between them. The bottom wire should be 2’ above the ground; the top wire should be 4-5’ above the ground.

            Pruning: Tie the first year’s new growth along the bottom wire. Next season/year, move the canes (now second year, fruiting canes) from the bottom wire up to the top wire. Then, tie the new, first year canes to the bottom wire. Repeat this process each year, pruning off the dead fruiting canes from the previous season to make room for this year’s fruiting canes. Prune the dead canes during the winter.

             Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize twice a year in spring and summer.

Varieties of Blackberries:

            Arapaho: Thornless. Juicy berries on erect canes. Very productive. Fruit ripens earlier than other thornless varieties.

            Natchez: Thornless. Consistent, high yields of large berries. Excellent flavor. Disease resistant. Benefits from trellising. Upright grower.

Navaho: Thornless. Popular variety produces large crop of medium size, flavorful berries. Upright grower.

Ouachita: Thornless. Abundant producer of large, sweet berries on upright canes.

Triple Crown: Thornless. Bears heavy. Large fruit with excellent flavor. Semi-erect.

Plant Profile: Figs

Figs:

            General info: Figs (Ficus carica) are one of the easiest fruit to grow. They are natives of the Mediterranean region and have been grown for thousands of years. Figs typically perform best when planted in well drained soil and full sun. Some figs have a juvenile period of 3-4 years before they produce a good crop. Figs usually grow to about 15-20 ft. tall and wide and are hardy in zones 8-10.

           

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; container tree/bush

           

            Ornamental qualities: Lush, tropical looking leaves; fruit

           

            Planting: Container grown figs do not need to be pruned before planting. Just remove them from the pot, untangle their roots, and plant. Water thoroughly to settle the dirt around the plant and add mulch or pine straw around the base of the plant. Do not put fertilizer in the hole when planting.

           

            Pruning: Any pruning or thinning should be done during the late winter, after the danger of frost is past. Cut out any dead wood, any branches that interfere with the main stems growth, and any unwanted suckers. Prune back to a bud or branch to avoid bare stubs.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: In good soil, fig trees should need only minimal fertilizing. Mature plants should be fertilized once a year in the spring. If a fig tree is growing too vigorously and is dropping its fruit before they mature, it may be over-fertilized. Although drought tolerant once established, additional water during extremely dry periods will benefit the plant, especially while setting fruit. Yellowing leaves may indicate drought or too much water.

           

Varieties:

            Brown Turkey: Old time favorite with medium to large size fruit. Bell shaped, purplish-brown figs ripen in late summer to early fall. Bears heavily; sometimes two crops a year. Pinkish amber flesh is very sweet and tender. Excellent for canning, jams, drying or eating fresh. Deeply lobed foliage. Cold hardy variety for the South and up the East Coast. Also good for growing in containers.

            Celeste (Malta): Widely planted. Vigorous growers and good fruit bearers. Violet-brown fruit is very sweet and ripens early in the season. Dependable producer of high-quality small to medium figs. Reddish amber flesh with rich honey-like flavor. Excellent for eating fresh, dried, or in preserves. Well adapted to the South and East Coast.

            Italian Black: Heirloom fig grown by the Becnel family in Louisiana for over 100 years. Near black fruit with bright red pulp.

Plant Profile: Persimmons

Asian Persimmon:

           

General info: Asian persimmons (Diospyros) are ornamental trees native to Asia, and are one of the most widely grown fruit in the world. They are easy to grow and do very well in our area. Persimmons can be grown as single or multi-stemmed trees up to approx. 15-25’ high & wide, depending on variety. The fruit ripens in fall, and are popular with hunters to attract wildlife.

Persimmons are classified into two categories: astringent and non-astringent. Non-astringent varieties are crisp when ripe. Astringent varieties must ripen until they are soft and sweet. (Otherwise they are very bitter.)

Landscape uses: Small specimen or shade tree.

Ornamental qualities: Drooping, bluish leaves; golden leaves in fall; showy, brightly colored fruit in fall.

Persimmon trees are also great to take pics with! ;)

Planting: Persimmons tolerate a wide range of soil conditions once established. Plant in full to partial sun.

Pruning: Minimal pruning is necessary. Remove crossing, dead or broken limbs. Pruning to control size may be done if required.

Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and mid-summer. Extremes in moisture (drought or soggy conditions) can cause fruit to drop off.

Varieties:

Fuyu: Most popular Japanese persimmon. Non-astringent. Medium size somewhat square-shaped fruit. Reddish-orange skin when ripe. Sweet and crisp like an apple. Excellent for fresh eating or cooking. Bears at a young age. Heavy producer. Ripens in November.

           

Ichi: Non-astringent. Productive, good quality fruit. Early to ripen in September. Dwarf growing variety.

Saijo: Astringent. Small, egg-shaped. Sweet, yellow flesh. Ripens late September to October. Self-fertile. Said to be the best tasting (once ripe).

Chocolate: Non-astringent. Medium sized with chocolaty-colored flesh. Very sweet. Ripens late October to November.