American Persimmon

Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana): The Sweet Gem of Autumn!

(Diospyros virginiana)

Imagine biting into a soft, honey-sweet fruit with flavors reminiscent of dates, apricots, and brown sugar. That’s the magic of a ripe persimmon. These orange globes of goodness are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Persimmon trees are a beautiful addition to any landscape. Their dark, glossy leaves provide shade in summer and turn a striking yellow-orange in fall. The smooth, blocky bark adds winter interest, making this tree a year-round stunner.

Growing persimmons is a breeze for patient gardeners. These trees prefer full sun and well-drained soil but are adaptable to various conditions. They’re incredibly low-maintenance, with few pest or disease issues.

Persimmons are hardy in USDA zones 4-9, showcasing their adaptability. Most wild persimmons are dioecious (separate male and female trees), but many cultivated varieties are self-fertile. For the best harvest, plant at least two trees.

At Humble Abode Nursery, we offer select cultivars known for their superior fruit quality and cold hardiness. Our bare-root trees are grown using sustainable practices, ensuring you get a healthy, vigorous plant ready to thrive in your homestead.

Why choose our persimmons? We’re passionate about preserving and promoting native species, and our trees are grown with love and ecological mindfulness.

Ready to add some autumn magic to your orchard? Plant a persimmon and discover the sweet rewards they offer.

Variety Info:

• Seedling—These are seedling trees grown from parent trees of cultivated varieties that give excellent fruit. They might be male or female, so it is recommended to buy a few trees or to graft onto them.
• Prok x Szukis Seedling—This is a breeding combo that offers a unique perk—approximately 75% of the offspring will be fruit producing females.  This is due to the male pollinator that tends to produce feminized seed. You get the toughness and lower cost of a seedling, but a higher guarantee of fruit production. Very exciting stuff!
• Early Golden—A classic variety, the parent of many other cultivars, and still one of the best.
• Szukis—A seedling of ‘Early Golden’. Definitely one of the best varieties I’ve seen. Large delicious fruit. It produces both male and female flowers so it’s a great choice if you want only one tree.
• Meader—an exceptionally cold-hardy variety, also self-fertile, with some fruit seedless. Early ripening. Bred by the great Elwyn Meader in New Hampshire in the 1960’s.
• Mohler—I tasted this one over at Lee Reich’s farmden and was impressed by the flavor. A lesser known variety that should be more popular.
• Rosseyanka— one of the most cold hardy hybrid persimmons, down to around -18ºF. Similar in form and fruit to American persimmon with large fruit and excellent taste. Most fruit is seedless. Zones 5-9.