Punica granatum is a small tree/shrub that features exotic, spherical, and leather-skinned fruit and a distinctive, ornamental appearance. With shiny, oblong, green foliage on slender branches, this striking plant has a long flowering season and can live a long life. It is sensitive to frost in fall and spring and does not mature well in cool climates. What makes it an ideal fruit tree for the Bay Area is that it requires a short 100-150 hours of chill time below 45°F. It can tolerate wet, heavy soils but perform best in deep, well-drained conditions. Punica granatum are relatively disease resistant and are not attractive to many fruit pests including codling moth or twig borer.