Great Design Plant: Persimmon
In late autumn or early winter a leafless persimmon tree, branches bending beneath the weight of dozens (hundreds?) Of glistening orange fruits, looks like something from an early Japanese brush painting. Ahead of the fruit display, or combined with it, also comes with a gorgeous display of bright orange autumn foliage.
All in all, this is a handsome medium-size, deciduous tree perfectly suited to California’s and other gentle climates (there is also a hardier persimmon native to the eastern U.S., Diospyros kaki). Compared with fruit trees, Japanese persimmon requires little care — no complex pruning or spraying demanded.
Botanical name: Diospyros kaki
Common title: Japanese persimmon
USDA zones: 7 to 10 (find your zone)
Water necessity: Moderate
Sun requirement: Full sun
Mature dimensions: 30 feet tall and broad
advantages and tolerances: Without any particular pests or diseases; squirrels or birds may steal fruit.
Distinguishing traits. Without fruit production, the vivid orange autumn foliage would be reason enough to grow this beautiful deciduous tree.
‘Hachiya’ is the most commonly grown variety. Its fruit is big and recognizably pointed at the suggestion. Not everybody enjoys eating it the frequent gripe is “the feel” Along with the fruit is puckeringly astringent unless totally soft and mature; let it ripen on the tree or make it inside when heavy orange and it will ripen. Eat it fresh (a few people pour lotion on it) or bake with it the hottest version is the English-style Christmas pudding. Do not forget the sauce.
‘Fuyu’ looks different: flat like a tomato. More distinctively, it is nonastringent and may be consumed before it turns tender. Eat it like an apple slit it.
How to utilize a persimmon tree. It’s shapely enough to stand alone as a garden’s focal point, at a boundary or on a yard. It also may earn a color tree that is decent. In a major backyard, several trees may form a row in the background.
Before you plant. Ask what you’re going to do with an abundance of fruit. Do not plant a tree where you do not want the fruit to fall. If you do not want the fruit, you may most likely give it away — or have the kids set up a lemonade-style stand.