This post is also available in: Italian
The technical jury of Orticolario 2016 exhibition (30 September-2 October) granted the “best collection award” to Tara Nursery-Garden , specialized in rare hydrangeas, hellebores, magnolias and, quite surprisingly, a collection of 30 pomegranates (Punica granatum) featuring different fruits, colours, size and flavours – they actually come from all over the world, and they were exhibited in 2016 for the first time. The most peculiar is undoubtedly the Punica granatum ‘Exo’ black, with dark red skin almost looking black. It would perfectly match any other plant with golden and variegated leaves. This cultivar is also available in a miniaturized version – a real wonder of nature.
Cultivation
Pomegranates are small trees or large shrubs very easy to grow, both as fruit or flower trees. They can withstand the heat, but fear frost and excessive soil moisture. They should be planted in full sunlight, on any type of well-drained soil. In addition, they should be regularly watered, especially when they’re still young. Mauro di Sorte (the owner of Tara Nursery-Garden) also suggests adding some organic fertilizers in autumn-winter, while chemical ones may be used in spring, as long as they feature a low nitrogen content and they’re rich in microelements.
You can grow pomegranates as a bush, small trees or espaliers. Pruning must be moderate, only for cleaning and eliminating the fructified branches. The pomegranate is a plant very resistant to parasitic attacks, but in case of water stagnation, it can suffer from root rot, which is very dangerous. Against mites and aphids, Mauro Di Sorte recommends using neem oil : vegetable oil with a strong eudermic, antibacterial and antiparasitic activity for animals and plants.
Adirondack Chairs
Look at the wooden chairs in the photos: aren’t they simply gorgeous? They are the famous Adirondack Chairs, designed by Thomas Lee during a vacation in Westport, New York, in the Adirondack Mountains (1903). In fact, Thomas needed some outdoor armchairs for his summer house and he designed them, using local wooden planks; after thoroughly testing them along with his family, he offered the project to a Westport carpenter, Harry Bunnell. The latter quickly acknowledged the business potential of the new armchairs and patented them on the fly.
The modern Adirondack chair design was actually devised by Irving Wolpin, in 1938. The Adirondack Chairs exhibited at Orticolario 2016 exhibition – among the wonderful pomegranates by Tara Nursery-Garden, were made by Eltisler Falegnameria (Bassano del Grappa, tel. 347 359 0111), and offered in several captivating colours.
This post is also available in: Italian
Leave a Reply