Pomegranates, Punica granatum L., have been cultivated for so long that the native range is uncertain. The meaning of pomegranate is literally apple with grains, and from that came grenade. Pomegranates are mentioned frequently in the Bible, most notably in all the description of decorative motifs used in Solomon's temple and the priestly garments. I've heard of a tradition at Jewish weddings were a pomegranate is thrown down by the groom, and the number of grains that break loose is supposed to be the number of children the couple will have. The grains are juicy with an eatable seed inside although I save several each year to grow plants.
Pomegranate is hardy in zone 8 and marginally hardy in zone 7 where success is probably similar to that for fig, Ficus carica L., except it takes much longer for the fruit to ripen so late freezes can be as much of a problem as early freezes such as the one on Easter of 2007, which killed all of pomegranates to the ground because they had already broken dormancy. Like fig, larger specimens of pomegranates are more cold hardy. I have seen pomegranates growing along with apricots, Prunus armenica L., in Supai, AZ, which is about half way down into the Grand Canyon, thus indicating that both prefer a less humid climate. The fall color of the leaves is a clear yellow, but the unique flowers, known as balausts, are orange, and remind me of Fuchsia.
Pomegranates have become much more available in recent years due to the promotion of the health benefits beyond some medicinal uses by apothecaries. Juice is available year round, but the season when fresh fruit is available is from Oct. into Dec. thus pomegranates can easily be added to decorations for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas. The seed can be preserved by freezing especially if a stock liquidation lowers the price where I have seen the price vary from nearly $2 each down to $0.25 each at which the risk of getting any bad ones is acceptable. Opening a pomegranate if tricky at first, but there is a technique. Score the skin from top to bottom 4-6 times. Slice off the blossom end, which looks like a crown, to reveal a few of the red seed. Hold it underwater then break it apart along the scored lines. Continue holding it under water as you thumb the seed loose. The water keeps the juice from accidentally squirting, besides the seed sinks, but the bitter pulp floats. If doing large quantities consider gloves since the juice and astringent tannins in the peel will stain and roughen your skin. Grenadine is a syrup made from pomegranate juice and it is also possible to make jelly. The first sherbert was made of pomegranate juice and snow.