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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Diospyros virginiana (Common or American Persimmon)

Fragrant, creamy greenish-yellow Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon) flowers in late May. Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Developing fruit of Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon) in June.
Immature fruit of Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon) in August.
Fruit hangs amidst the yellowing leaves of Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon) in October. Fruit may not be edible until well after first frost. Unripe persimmons are astringent and will make your mouth pucker.
Turning foliage of Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon) laden with fruit in October.
When ripe, Diospyros virginiana berries fall to the ground. Ripe persimmons are orange to reddish purple, very soft, often wrinkled, juicy, and very sweet.
Ripe native persimmon ready for eating. Photo © 2015 Elaine Mills
Diospyros virginiana (Common Persimmon) fruit may remain on the branches even after the leaves have fallen in November. Fruit is unaffected by freezing temperatures.
The blocky bark of persimmon has distinct orange furrows.

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Diospyros virginiana Common or American Persimmon Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic This adaptable pioneer species’ common name, Persimmon, comes from the indigenous Algonquin people who have prized the sweet orange fruit for food and medicinal purposes. Found in old fields and from swamp forests to the understory of mesic to dry upland forests, this Ebony family member’s hard wood is used for golf club heads and furniture veneer. Tree September Tree, Bark, Flowers, Fruit Height: 35–75 feet Spread: 20–35 feet Bloom Color: Creamy greenish-yellow Characteristics Shrubby to tall, deciduous tree with spreading crown and pendulous branches Alternate, 2–6” long, ovate leaves; glabrous, dark green above, pale green below w/ smooth margins Usually dioecious with fragrant, bell-shaped, yellowish-green flowers May to June Berries,1–2” across, ripen** to orange Aug to Nov Yellow-green to reddish-purple fall foliage Blocky, orange-furrowed bark over very hard wood; spreads via root runners/suckers to create groves Attributes Tolerates drought, clay/poor soil, wind, Black Walnut, air pollution; no serious pests or diseases but leaf spot may occur; deer occasionally browse foliage & twigs Edible fruit produced in 10-15 years used in cakes, puddings; roasted seeds used as coffee substitute Attracts long-tongued bees to flowers; birds, other wildlife to mast; larval host for ~51 lepidopterans, incl. American Lady butterfly, Luna Moth, Io Moth Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy preferred Excellent Replacement for Ailanthus altissima - Tree of Heaven Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Paulownia tomentosa - Princess Tree *It is native to DC and common in DE. In MD, it is found on the Eastern Shore and Piedmont, but is infrequent in the mountains. It is present in the southern parts of PA. In VA, it is common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont and infrequent and confined to low elevations in the mountains. **Fruit may remain on the tree well after leaves have fallen. Unripe berries are astringent. Ripe berries (orange to red- purple, very soft, often wrinkled, juicy, and very sweet) usually fall to the ground. Adaptable; long taproot makes transplanting difficult; avoid fruit litter falling on patios/sidewalks Use as ornamental for fruit, naturalized in understory Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a–9b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Alyssa Ford Morel, Mary Free (bark, ripe fruit), and Elaine Mills (flowers, fruit), Glencarlyn Library Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Diospyros virginiana (Common or American Persimmon)

This adaptable pioneer species’ common name, Persimmon, comes from the indigenous Algonquin people who have prized the sweet orange fruit for food and medicinal purposes. Found* in old fields and from swamp forests to the understory of mesic to dry upland forests, this Ebony family member’s hard wood is used for golf club heads and furniture veneer.

*It is native to DC and common in DE. In MD, it is found on the Eastern Shore and Piedmont, but is infrequent in the mountains. It is present in the southern parts of PA. In VA, it is common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont and infrequent and confined to low elevations in the mountains. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets