Figs that are planted in a nice warm site can get by in NJ zones 6b and 7a unprotected but may die back some in severe winters. Last year I had mine in pots no less outside and they are doing fine now. As for the pomegranate, I grow the ornamental, dwarf one grown for its flowers, and it is very hardy without protection. It will drop its leaves in the fall as it is deciduous. I got it in Chinatown years ago and basically grow it for the pretty flowers, not the fruit. I would give it a try if I had any room left! I bet it would be fine in a hot/dry site where nothing else will live.

Figs that are planted in a nice warm site can get by in NJ zones 6b and 7a unprotected but may die back some in severe winters. Last year I had mine in pots no less outside and they are doing fine now. As for the pomegranate, I grow the ornamental, dwarf one grown for its flowers, and it is very hardy without protection. It will drop its leaves in the fall as it is deciduous. I got it in Chinatown years ago and basically grow it for the pretty flowers, not the fruit. I would give it a try if I had any room left! I bet it would be fine in a hot/dry site where nothing else will live.

All my plants will be out there, far away from the house. I had a large fig collection, like > 20 kinds of back in the days when I was in Texas. Now it seems the local stores only sell he "Big Brown". I think I'd have to search for the more hardy ones for maintenance free, without any protection.

I remember when I visited Great Wall in Beijing, I saw some pomegranate trees. I'm not sure if they are the ornamental type, or fruit type. But the weather there is like ours here in NJ.

Or I should be cleared of all the troubles and grow the safe local plants....

I have seen the following figs being sold in NJ--

black Mission
kadota
Hardy chicago
Celeste
Texas ever bearing
Petite negri

As for the pomegranate, I bet it would survive for you. I am going to start raing some from see this year.

But keep in mind the climate of most of China is VERY different from here on the East Coast. Almost all the rainfall in China falls in the summer monsoon and the subarctic cold in the North is extremely arid (unlike our cold and wet winters). I don't know if this matters for the pomegranate but would suggest you do what it takes to improve drainage (try a raised bed, add sand, etc.). Good luck!