Persimmon (Oriole)

Description

Oriole is a selected American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) known for reliable fruiting, cold hardiness, and high-quality fruit when allowed to fully ripen. Like all true American persimmons, Oriole must soften completely before eating—patience at harvest is essential.

When fully ripe, the fruit becomes very sweet with smooth texture, offering the deep, concentrated sweetness that American persimmons are known for. Eaten too early, however, the fruit is intensely astringent, making proper ripeness the single most important factor for enjoyment.

Oriole is well suited to growers in colder regions or those looking for a resilient, low-input fruit tree. Grafted onto American persimmon seedling rootstock, it develops into a vigorous, long-lived tree capable of producing heavy crops once established.

Overview

• Cold-hardy American persimmon selection.
• Astringent until fully soft and ripe.
• Very sweet when properly ripened.
• Adaptable and resilient once established.
• Excellent choice for colder persimmon-growing regions.

Growing Details

Latin Name: Diospyros virginiana ‘Oriole’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: Grafted onto American persimmon seedling rootstock
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 30–40 ft tall and wide; can be maintained smaller with pruning
Bloom Time: Late spring
Ripening Time: Mid to late fall (often after first frost)
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile; pollination may increase fruit set but is not required
Pests & Diseases: Very low-pressure; generally trouble-free

Additional Notes

• Grower’s Insight: American persimmons like Oriole reward patience—fully ripe fruit is dramatically better than fruit picked early.
• Regional Insight: Performs exceptionally well in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and colder regions where Asian persimmons may struggle.
• Fruit often improves in flavor after exposure to frost.
• Excellent for fresh eating when soft; also suitable for baking and traditional preparations.
• Explore more American persimmons in our collection: American Persimmons