Diospyros virginiana 'Meader'

As with its parent plant, the 'Meader' cultivar of the common persimmon is beautiful, delicious, and easy to grow, and offers year-round interest in the landscape.  The common persimmon is in the Ebenaceae family native to the central and eastern United States and can reach 30 to 80 feet high and 20 to 35 feet wide depending on the cultivar.  'Meader' was bred by the late Elwin Meader of the University of New Hampshire to be self-pollinating. If the flowers are not pollinated, it will produce seedless fruit. If they are pollinated, the fruit will contain seeds. 

'Meader' is a cold-hardy tree easily grown in full sun to part shade with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5, 'Meader' typically grows to 30’ tall and prefers moist, sandy soils but is tolerant of a variety of soils.  It is drought tolerant once established. 

It has superior ornamental qualities. Dark green foliage is attractive throughout the growing season before turning excellent shades of red and yellow in fall. The fruits, which begin to ripen in the fall, are apricot-sized to 2" in diameter and deep orange when ripe with a sweet flavor.  

It can be grown as an ornamental or fruit tree in the home landscape, or in naturalized areas for wildlife. Thus, it can be placed in many types of gardens: a butterfly, children's, native, nighttime, pollinator, or rain garden.  With spectacular autumn foliage and fruit that extends the harvest late into the fall, they are an excellent addition to an edible landscape.  Fruit can stay on the tree after the leaves have fallen unaffected by freezing temperatures, giving an attractive addition to a winter garden.  They do produce root suckers.  Remove promptly unless a naturalized effect is wanted.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Leaf spot may occur.  Fruit drop can be messy.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Diospyros virginiana.