Diospyros - Growing Guide

Commonly known as ‘Persimmon’ and ‘Date Plum’

Only three species from this large genus of trees are hardy enough to be grown in the UK. Diospyros are mainly of Chinese origin; D. kaki and D. lotus were introduced by Ernest Wilson. D. viginiana however is from the eastern USA.

Diospyros are grown for their attractive habit and their fleshy fruit which, in most species, is edible.

D. kaki, the ‘Kaki’ or ‘Chinese Persimmon’, grows to around 20-30ft with downy young shoots and oval tapering leaves 3-8in long which taper at both ends. The fruits are bright yellow and 3in across after small bell shaped flowers. These are now a common sight in our supermarkets and the fruit is widely grown in Mediterranean countries. Opinions differ as to whether these trees are unisexual or dioecious. In theory you may need separate male and female trees, but the reality is that some trees fruit plentifully without male counterparts. The autumn colour is spectacular and includes a range of orange, yellow and red.

Diospyros kaki

Diospyros kaki

Diospyros kaki

Diospyros lotus

Diospyros lotus

Diospyros lotus

Diospyros lotus

Diospyros lotus

D. lotus, the ‘Date Plum’, is a beautiful specimen tree at Ventnor Botanic Gardens which grows to 25-30ft with a similar spread. The oval leaves look so polished and lustrous that they look as though they should be evergreen. The trees of this species are definitely unisexual. The flowers are tiny and bell shaped, green tinged red. The fruits are small and wrapped in a wavy green calyx before turning yellow to purple when ripe. These are quite pretty on the tree in lines along the new growth but are totally inedible. Indeed the tree gives off a peculiar odour on wet days. This tree has been grown in the UK since the 17th century and is totally hardy. It is now becoming more popular for its habit and leaf form.

D. virginicus ‘American Persimmon’ or the ‘Possum Apple’ grows taller than the other two species which we grow. It has attractive rugged bark cut into square or rectangular blocks and was first planted at Kew in 1762. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The female flowers are yellowish white and the fruits are orange shaped but pale yellow with a red cheek. They are about 1-1½in across. Wonderful autumn colour which is another reason for growing these little known trees.

Since we are all beginning to eat persimmon fruits why not try growing them as well!

• DIOSPYROS
• DIOSPYROS kaki
• DIOSPYROS lotus
• DIOSPYROS virginiana