Persimmon fruits look like translucent orange orbs, hanging amongst leathery green foliage. They are still something of a rarity in this country, but those in the know agree there is no more beautiful sight than a group of golden persimmons ripening to a sweet perfection on a sunny windowsill. The smooth, custard-textured flesh closely resembles sweet bananas and mangos. Enjoy persimmons fresh, or use them in any number of deserts and breads. Dried, they taste like chewy papaya.

CHECK OUT THIS YEARS CROP!!!

The trees, very hardy and well adapted to our area, are known to live upwards of 75 years. They require little attention once established and often reward high nitrogen feeding by dropping their fruit.

Over 500 varieties have been developed throughout the Orient, with fruit ranging from small plum-sized to football-sized, with just as many flavors and textures. We've narrowed it down to what we feel are the very best varieties. All the persimmons we offer have been grown in university test orchards in Northern and Central Florida, and have proven to be solid, consistent bearers.

There are two basic types of persimmon fruit -- astringent and non-astringent, or puckered versus non-puckered. You can be easily fooled into eating an astringent persimmon, because the astringent varieties turn orange and look ripe long before they really are. They should be eaten only when completely jelly soft to the touch. Non-astringent persimmons may be eaten while still firm and crisp. As a group, the astringent varieties are sweeter, richer, and juicier, while the non-astringent types are crispy, mellower and more sugarcane or cantaloupe-flavored.

Check out our new persimmon varieties. There are some new ones that have proven reliable further north than is normal for persimmons.

FIRE CRYSTAL ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON This is an extremely desirable persimmon in China. Like most other persimmon trees, it's a compact grower, and self-fertile. The fruit is round and bright orange, and when fully ripe is delectably sweet. Zones 6-9 $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

GIOMBO ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Huge 5 inch fruit are as big as softballs. Fantastic quality, smooth texture and very sweet. Cold hardy. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

HACHIYA ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Medium size deep red fruit will hang on trees throughout winter. Rated as one of the best for flavor and the perfect jelly-like consistency of the fruit. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

HAO RIVER ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Another new persimmon that is one of the most popular in China (native country of persimmons, where they are often dried and made into candy). This large sugar-sweet persimmon is early ripening, and a bright orange color. Persimmons are high in vitamins C and A and a good source of manganese and dietary fiber as well. Find space in your orchard for a lovely persimmon tree! Zones 6 -9 $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

HONAN RED ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Small, deep red fruits are acorn-shaped. Rich, sweet flavor is smooth and with a fiber-free texture. Excellent substitute for Hachiya, which tends to be an inconsistent cropper on the East Coast. Ripens mid-October. Zones 7-9. Limited quantity. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

LINDY'S GIANT ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON The largest of all persimmons. Huge roundish shaped fruit up to 5 inch in diameter! An astringent persimmon with excellent flavor. Zones 7-9 $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

PATAPSCO ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON A cold hardy introduction from Maryland. A yellow fruit that ripens in October. Long-holding under refrigeration (through January!) and reliable to at least Zone 6. Zones 6 -9 $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

SAIJO ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Originally from Japan, Saijo fruits are like small orange balls of honey. Free of seeds and a consistent bearer. Trees are large, upright, and vigorous. One of the first fruits of the season, starting in September, and continuing into October. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

SHENG ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON The most beautiful persimmon of all! The bright orange fruit is flat, has six prominent lobes, and is ribbed and tucked in around the calyx, shaped just like a miniature pumpkin. The medium sized trees bear good crops consistently. Ripe mid- September through early October. Zones 6-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

SMITH'S BEST Dwarf, compact persimmon that was found growing in J.Russell Smith's homestead in Front Royal, VA. Mr. Smith wrote "Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture" and was an economist, geographer who saw that trees were important for food and soil preservation. He cultivated many varieties of persimmons and this one is his best! Zones 6-8. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

TAMOPAN Very large, sweet persimmon that looks like it's wearing a cap! Don't let its odd shape stop you, this persimmon is tasty and excellent for cooking. Ripens October to November. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

TANENASHI ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON A rounded tree which is a prolific producer of medium-sized round to cone-shaped orange-red fruits. The flesh is yellow when ripe and very sweet. Great for homeowners with limited space because of a prolonged harvest season. Ripens September into November. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

Non-Astringent Varieties- Self-pollinating.

FUYU NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON By far the most popular of this group, Fuyu is a heavy producer of fist-sized, tomato-shaped fruits. Crisp, sweet, and mild, this is the one that most reminds us of cantaloupe. The fruit can begin to be harvested as soon as the color comes up, usually around late October, and can remain on the tree for as long as two months. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

GIANT HANAFUYU NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Exceptionally large, brilliant, reddish-orange fruit. Trees are very small, a good choice for patios and smaller gardens. Giant Hanafuyu has an excellent flavor, rich and sweet. Yellow fall color. This variety was a selection given us by Dr. Timothy Crocker. Ripens September and October. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

GWANG YANG NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON A new Korean persimmon. Bright orange, high quality fruit weighing about 6 oz. Ripens later than Tam Kam (late October). Zones 6-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

ICHI-KI-KEI-JIRO NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Dwarf tree produces large, flat tomato-shaped, deep orange fruit. Matures in late October. A bud sport of Jiro. One of the most cold hardy. Good variety for small back yards. Zones 6-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

IMOTO FUYU Large, square, flattened fruit turns dark orange when ripe in mid-fall. Eat crisp or soft. Sweet and mellow flavored. Ripens mid to late October. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

IZU NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON One of the first crunchy persimmons to ripen. Large tomato-shaped fruit with a cinnamon sweet flavor. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

JIRO NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON A beautiful mid-size tree full of large, flat tomato-shaped, deep orange fruit. Matures in October. One of the most cold hardy. Zones 6-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

MAEKAWA-JIRO NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON One of our favorites. Firm and crunchy with a sweet sugar cane like flavor. Will fruit heavier with a Fuyu planted close by. Ripens mid-October through mid-November. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

MATSUMOTO NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Very much like Fuyu in flavor and quality, but ripens a month earlier. Trees are strong growers, bearing fruit consistantly. Ripens early Oct. Zones 7-9. $39.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

TAM KAM NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON Another new Korean persimmon whose name translates as "Very Sweet". Bright orange, high quality fruit weighing about 6 oz. This is among the most winter hardy non-astringent persimmon. Ripens October. Zones 6-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

American Japanese Hybrid Varieties- Self-pollinating.

NIKITA'S GIFT HYBRID PERSIMMON What could be more lovely than a naturally dwarf tree loaded with delicious 2-3” bright reddish-orange persimmons? From the Ukraine, Nikita's Gift is a hybrid of Asian and American persimmons with exceptionally sweet flavor when ripe (you'll know when they fall off the tree). Bold red leaf color in the fall is an added bonus.Zones 6-9. $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

ROSSEYANKA HYBRID PERSIMMON An extremely cold hardy Russian hybrid. Cross of our native American persimmon Diospyros virginiana and the Asian Kaki persimmon. Its 2-3 inch fruit that is nearly seedless. Has an excellent smooth texture with a traditional syrupy sweet Asian persimmon flavor. Trees are rapid upright growers with a more American persimmon leaf type. Excellent large shade tree if left un-pruned. Tends to ripens mid to late October. Zones 6-9 $39.99 3 gal (3-5ft).

Just the Facts
Not sure what to do with persimmons or how to grow them right? DON'T PANIC! Push the panic button and we will give you "Just the Facts" you need to successfully grow them.

Are we out of what you are looking for? Email us at Justfruits@hotmail.com and we'll put you on the "Call When Available" list. We will call you!

Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 St. Frances St. Crawfordville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).