American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Exposure: Full sun. Zone 4.
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained loamy soils but will tolerate both drier and wetter conditions. pH adaptable.
Growth habits: Our native persimmon, though slow growing, can grow 35 to 60’ tall with a 20-30’ spread over time. Has lustrous dark green summer foliage with yellow to reddish purple fall color. American persimmon is usually dioecious (separate male and female trees). The Meader variety is female and can fruit without a male (though the fruit won't have viable seeds without a male pollinator.)
Landscape uses: A native tree useful for naturalizing, flood plains, near creeks or grown as naturalized clumps in the home landscape.
Edible/Medicinal properties: Leaves make a high
vitamin C tea. The fall fruit is exotically sweet once ripe. Good
for fresh eating, fruit leathers, baking, or mead and wine making.
Available Varieties
Meader - Native persimmon with delicious light orange fruit. Fruits without a male pollinator. Out of stock for 2012
Native seedlings - Trees grown from local persimmon seeds. Plants will be either male or female, and the gender won't be known for some years. To increase the probability of having both a male and female, plant at least three trees. $18.00 / 1 gal., $30 / 3 gal.