Diospyros kaki

This magnificent fruit has been in cultivation in eastern China and Japan since ancient times and now makes a popular garden plant in temperate climates throughout the world. With beautiful autumn foliage ranging from deep yellow to red and contrasting bright orange yellow fruit in late summer, the persimmon is easy to spot in the garden during autumn. Producing fruit high in glucose and protein the persimmon has a most distinctive sweet and luscious flavour.

Varieties Of Persimmon

Older varieties produce mostly astringent fruit that is not palatable until it become quite soft. These have now been superseded by non-astringent varieties producing fruits that can be eaten while still hard. Many of the older varieties such as Hyakumo, Dai Dai Maru and Flat Seedless are still available in nurseries, but the non-astringent variety Fuyu has now become the most popular variety propagated. Other non-astringent varieties include the large fruited Suruga and the early ripening Izu.

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These strong autumn colours are displayed for a few weeks in late autumn

Persimmon fruits showing the distinctive large sepals-the green leaf like structures. Fruit with a horizontal cut displays an internal star pattern

The fruit and foliage is very ornamental in autumn. Photo was taken in a friend’s backyard

Persimmon tree in late summer - Leaves are glossy and fruit is beginning to ripen. This tree is growing in a Migrant’s garden in Melbourne

Large fruit is produced from healthy trees. These fruits are the size of an orange. The photo was taken in a friend’s garden in Melbourne

This 3 metre tree in a suburban garden is about 10 years old

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Extra Care On Rooting

Persimmon plants produce a deep tap-root and seedlings do not respond well if it is damaged when transplanting. As a result, it is advisable to purchase trees grown in deep containers and extra care should be taken to produce a deep well-drained planting site. Poor drainage will often lead to sudden death of plants should they become waterlogged during summer. The best time to plant trees is winter when trees are dormant and without foliage and always select plants with a clean graft union.

Persimmon Fruit And Seed

Trees will produce fruit without seed in most cases, but cross pollination between varieties will result in fruit containing a brownish coloured flesh if seeds are present. The presence of seed has no great impact on flavour and these seeds germinate easily producing rootstocks for the propagation of new plants.

Site Preparation

Persimmons are not difficult to grow if the site is well drained and kept moist during spring and summer. A sunny place away from excessive wind is also most desirable. Trees commence bearing at an early age, and often produce an over-abundance of fruit that should be thinned in order to maintain a large fruit size. Should trees be planted in very windy sites, or be allowed to dry out in late spring they are prone to excessive fruit drop resulting in poor crops.

Persimmon In My Hobby Farm

I have been very fond of the persimmon since there are few pests and diseases, and due to its most ornamental appearance in autumn. This small weeping tree growing to about 3 to 4 metres certainly deserves a place in every garden.

If you want to display the fruit late into autumn however, be prepared to share fruit with birds or possums!