Pomegranate

In the spot where the blueberry once flourished, I've planted a pomegranate tree. Shepherd's Red variety. Supposed to fruit in the year after being planted. Dark red exterior, pink seeds, ripening in late autumn.

A little bit of maintenance

Better late than never, right? A couple days ago, I noticed one of the espalier limes was heavily infested with red scale and swarming with ants. Seemed like the ants were farming the scale from their nest around the roots of the lime tree, waterproofing the rootball in the process (I HATE ANTS!). So I knew the lime trees were stressed, what with the heatwave and the poor soil, but this infestation is an indicator of really bad, stress, I guess, and if the lime dies I will be sad, but I am firm in my committment not to prop up the enchanted orchard with frequent watering. I pruned some of the worst affected branches. Maybe that will stress it more and push it over the edge, but those branches were so heavily encrusted I just couldn't picture them being healthy again. I gave both limes a seasol watering. Then, today I petroleum-oiled what was left and spread ant sand around the base. Good luck, little lime trees. ($30 for the ant sand and pestoil).