Is That Pomegranate Shrub Dead?

Is That Pomegranate Shrub Dead?

Pomegranate shrubs during the winter

It is winter and the pomegranate shrub that I planted last spring appears to be dead.

The pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub. Thus, it may not be dead.

What does deciduous mean?

Wikipedia says: "In the fields of horticulture and botany, the term deciduous (/dɪˈsɪdjuːəs/; US:) means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, after flowering; and to the shedding of ripe fruit. The antonym of deciduous in the botanical sense is evergreen."

How can I tell that my pomegranate shurb is still alive?

One way of knowing that a deciduous shrub or tree is still alive in the winter is by checking the elasticity of the branches. If they have elasticity and are not dry, that means they're still "drinking" water and are therefore are not completely dead. In the spring, they will start producing leaves and fruit, if they're the fruit-bearing type.

Should I stop watering my pomegranate shrub in the winter?

No, don't stop watering. You don't need to water as much as during the summer. However, since Las Vegas climate is still very dry during the winter, we still need to water our plants, shrubs and trees. LVVWD has a mandatory watering schedule that you should follow. Its is good to know that watering with a handheld hose is allowed any time. However, you must do it responsibly, as wasting water may result in a water-waste fee or citation.

Landscape Design

DESERT LANDSCAPES

Blog

SHORT BLOG POSTS