Description
Meader is one of the best-known American persimmons and has earned its reputation through consistent performance, strong cold hardiness, and dependable fruit production. Selected in New Hampshire, Meader is often recommended for growers pushing the northern limits of persimmon growing. Like all American persimmons, Meader fruit is astringent until fully ripe. Once softened, the fruit develops a rich, sweet flavor with a smooth, custard-like texture. Meader ripens reliably and is a strong choice for growers who want classic American persimmon flavor without excessive uncertainty.
Overview
- Cold-hardy American persimmon with dependable production.
- Sweet, richly flavored fruit when fully ripe.
- Well suited to northern and variable climates.
- Excellent for fresh eating (fully ripe), baking, and pulp use.
- Self-fertile; yields increase with a pollination partner.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Diospyros virginiana ‘Meader’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: Grafted onto American persimmon rootstock
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 4
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 20–30 ft tall and wide (maintained smaller with pruning)
Bloom Time: Late spring
Ripening Time: Mid to late fall (typically October–November)
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile; best yields with another American persimmon planted within 20–30 ft
Pests & Diseases: Generally low-pressure; very resilient once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Meader is often recommended as a “first persimmon” thanks to its reliability and cold tolerance.
- Regional Insight: Meader performs exceptionally well in the Northeast, Midwest, and other cold-winter regions where some persimmons struggle.
- Allow fruit to become fully soft before eating to avoid astringency.
- Excellent for persimmon pulp, baking, freezing, and traditional recipes.
- Explore more American persimmons in our collection: American Persimmons
