Diospyros virginiana

American Persimmon is a native fruit tree that belongs to the scientific genus Diospyros, meaning “fruit of the gods.” The fruit should be eaten once completely soft, and has a taste of caramelized peach. It is a larval host of the Luna Moth. Its leaves turn sunset orange and red in the fall and it features a distinctive black, blocky bark. 

We carry both American persimmon seedling trees and grafted cultivars. Named cultivars of American persimmon selected for their production, taste and texture are grafted onto American Persimmon rootstock. These grafted persimmons are all female; see descriptions below for pollination recommendations. For cultivars that are not self-fertile, it is recommended to plant at least three American persimmons for pollination.

• Yates: A favorite of many, Yates has a large fruit that is soft and sweet. It is a heavy producing tree of 2.5 inch fruits with few seeds. Discovered by Ed Yates of Kentucky, Yates is self-fertile, and will produce fruit in the absence of other persimmons.
• 100-46 (a.k.a. Lehman’s Delight): From the breeding work of Jerry Lehman of Indiana, Lehman’s Delight produces an exceptionally large fruit with a delicious flavor and smooth flesh. While not a large tree, it is one of the heaviest producing persimmon cultivars. Lehman’s delight is self-fertile.
• I-94 (a.k.a. Valeen Beauty): Valeen Beauty is a heavy producer of large fruit (2-2.5 inches) with clear flesh, and excellent flavor. The fruits are low in fiber and high in pulp. Valeen Beauty is not self-fertile and needs a pollenizer, such as Yates or a male American persimmon.

Check out our blog – American Persimmon – Eating the Fruit of the Gods

Zone: 5-8 (Map)
Habitat: Prefers loamy, moist, well-drained soils. Will do poorly in dry soils. Plant in full sun for full fruit production, but will tolerate partial shade.
Growth: 40-60 ft tall, 30 ft wide at maturity.