American vs Asian persimmon
Two persimmon species are commonly grown in North American home orchards, and they are different enough in cold hardiness, fruit astringency type, and size to warrant separate consideration. American persimmon (*Diospyros virginiana*) is native to the eastern United States, extremely cold-hardy,.
Two persimmon species are commonly grown in North American home orchards, and they are different enough in cold hardiness, fruit astringency type, and size to warrant separate consideration. American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is native to the eastern United States, extremely cold-hardy, and largely problem-free. Asian persimmon (D. kaki) produces larger, showier fruit but is less cold-hardy and requires more attention to astringency type and removal.
I don't grow persimmons at my zone 7a Long Island plot. Both species would grow here, and American persimmon in particular is virtually maintenance-free. This guide is sourced from Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State Extension.
American vs Asian persimmon at a glance
Per NC State Extension:
| Characteristic | American (D. virginiana) | Asian (D. kaki) |
|---|---|---|
| Cold hardiness | Zones 4-9 | Zones 7-10 |
| Tree size | 15-30 feet; can reach 60 feet | 15-25 feet |
| Fruit size | Small (golf ball to plum-sized) | Large (apple-sized) |
| Fruit color | Orange-yellow when ripe | Orange to red |
| Astringency | Always astringent; needs full ripening | Astringent or non-astringent types |
| Self-fruitful | Sometimes; improved with pollinator | Mostly self-fruitful |