left: A pop of red against a palette of green, burning bush is a reliable source for fall color, even in light shade. right: Ornamental pomegranates are easy to care for, tolerate alkaline soil, and boast showy golden foliage in fall.

It's a fairly large shrub, and there are several selections to choose from. Reaching 15 to 20 feet tall and wide, the species, E. alatus, which has the best cold tolerance, can be limbed up and used as a small tree in the home landscape. 'Compactus,' the selection most often sold in nurseries, grows between 6 and 10 feet tall and wide. For something a little smaller, opt for 'Rudy Haag,' which maxes out at around 5 feet tall and wide.

Burning bush readily grows in sun or shade, though fall color is best when it's sited in full sun. This shrub tolerates a variety of soils as long as they are well drained. You can thank the birds if you notice seedlings popping up around the yard; to control this, simply pull them up by hand while they are still young.

Ornamental Pomegranate
If leaves of gold that shimmer and dance in the afternoon sun speak to your heart, plant a pomegranate. Not only is its fall foliage yellow, but its emerging spring growth is a pretty bronze. Ornamental pomegranates (Punica granatum) reward their owners with showy, sunset-hued summer flowers and the luxury of little care.

Just don't expect large, edible fruit from this plant. That is the job of its cousin. If you want fruit to eat and you live in the Middle, Lower, or Coastal South, try a pomegranate selection called 'Wonderful.'

Ornamental pomegranates come in a range of heights. 'Chico,' a dwarf carnation-flowered selection, can be kept around 1 1?2 feet tall with occasional pruning, while 8-foot-tall 'Nochi Shibari' looks ideal on the corner of a house. To keep the plant in good shape, prune out the oldest branches in late winter.

Pomegranates are not picky about soil and even thrive in alkaline conditions. Doing well in all but the Upper South, they need full sun and regular watering. In the Middle South, plant your pomegranate in a protected area, such as a south- or west-facing wall. This plant may be hard to find but is well worth the search. Look for ornamental pomegranates at your local nursery, or order them from Woodlanders, (803) 648-7522 or www.woodlanders.net.