"Greek Red" Hardy Pomegranate

A zone 6/7 hardy pomegranate, "Greek Red" produces medium to large red skinned fruit, which is peeled open to reveal ruby red pearls of citrusy flesh surrounding semi-soft seeds. These grow abundantly on small, self-dwarfing trees great for containers in a sunny window or porch. A tart, delicious, and nutritious fruit, pomegranates are uniquely healthy because they offer a rare combination of potent antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and natural plant estrogens, all packed into a fruit with high polyphenol density. This makes them an anti-cancer, anti-kidney stone, and circulation boosting powerhouse.

Male readers fear not, these plant estrogens do help to modulate hormone levels in post-menopausal women, but are actually beneficial to male testosterone levels. This is because a plant's phytoestrogens are significantly weaker than human estrogen, meaning that they block stronger estrogens from binding to receptors. Stronger estrogens binding to estrogen receptors is part of what causes hormone swings in men and women, and feminization in men. This is why studies have shown up to 25% increases in testosterone in patients given pomegranate juice. Furthermore, and more importantly, the fruit's combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microbiome benefits make them unusually potent for whole-body health.

Quick Facts:

• Zones: 6/7-10
• Height: 10ft
• Spread: 7ft
• Spreading Habit: Upright tree
• Sun: Full sun during fruit production, other times partial is okay
• Soil: Moderately well draining is preferred but tolerant of sandy or clay soils
• Self-pollination: Self-fertile