Evergreen? Maybe off the mark, but I'll venture a guess - one of the Peony flowered forms of Camellia (reticulata?)
Thanks, Gordo. Plant is Zone 6B (down to -5) medium growth, 7' height x 4' spread. Flower is mildly sweet.
I'm surprized this plant is hardy in your area. Most sources seem to indicate zone 7b as the lower limit, with severe damage below 12 deg., although the variety 'nana' is said to be somewhat more cold resistant.
Most of Arkansas is zone 7, zone 8 in the south. And the last three winters have been a whole zone or two warmer for this area of the country. Here in zone 5b/6a, I had Colocasias, cannas, and dahlias live through this past winter!
Didn't say they did. Just offerred an explanation why a pomegranate might be living in zone 6. Eventually it will succumb, but for now the ID can't be discounted purely for zonal reasons.
I'm addressing the expression "Zone _ winter", which is a fairly common habit and not picking on you specifically. Many do not seem to understand how the USDA zones are determined and what it means. The result of this is that hardiness of particular plants relative to where gardeners live is misinterpreted.
Great discussion.... Winters have been warmer here. But this plant has been in 6b for a period of at least 15 years maybe more. It was planted on the south side of our house and then later (6 years ago) moved to a garden fence row running North and South. It experiences copious amounts of water from pond runoff, but is planted in a sandy loam berm at least 2.5' above runoff. It is also protected by Golden Vickary, English Boxwood and Euonymous Alatus around it N & S sides. Also, Acer rubrum limbs bow above its Western face shading it from heat in the afternoon. We alway have a few crepe myrtle die back every winter or so. Guess this plant is a hardy one !
