Pomegranate

A large, lax, spiny shrub or small tree, it needs a hot, sunny, sheltered wall and excellent drainage to thrive, but failing that, grow in a pot for standing in a winter conservatory. The showy flowers are bright orange-red or scarlet and have crumpled petals, while the oblong leaves are coppery when young, shiny green in summer, and yellow in autumn. To get the fruit to ripen, you'll need a scorching long summer. Several cultivars are also available, the miniature var. nana being the best, but note it only gets 85cm high.