Although an Asian native, the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) has long been naturalized in Greece and the Mediterranean. Its bell-shaped, intense red-orange flowers appear in early summer and last into the early fall, and fruit appears on the trees between August and October. The leaves of the tree turn golden before dropping to reveal any fruit remaining. If not picked, pomegranates don’t fall, creating a subtle decorative feature for the winter garden. The pomegranate is associated with two figures from Greek mythology—it is said to have been planted by the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and Persephone, the queen of the underworld, was strongly identified with the fruit because her rebirth each year coincided with spring. For this reason, the fruit symbolizes fertility. The pomegranate is also said to deliver good luck for the new year, so it is used as a decoration at Christmas and for the New Year.
