Prok Common Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana (dee-oh-SPR-os vir-jin-ee-AY-uh)

Family: Ebenaceae Unknown Canopy (>40 ft)

'Prok' is a heavy bearing persimmon cultivar in the Ebenaceae family whose parent plant is native to central and eastern United States and has been adaptable to the urban environment. It is beautiful, delicious and easy to grow. This cultivar is recommended for the northern edge of the persimmon growing region as it is cold hardy and early ripening (August - October). It is self-fertile and female trees will produce seedless fruit without a male pollinator. 'Prok' is rated as one of the best tasting American persimmons. This variety bears huge crops of sweet, orange, juicy fruit. 'Prok' has a nice form and is suitable for landscape use, has a nice fall color, and is a wildlife attractant. It is a cold-hardy tree easily grown in full sun with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 in moist to well-drained soil. It is also adaptable to many varieties of soil, including poor, dry ones. 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 in the fall. The orange fruits, which begin to ripen late summer, early fall are larger than most American persimmons at 2 1/2" - 3". Fruits are commonly used in syrups, jellies, ice creams or pies. Persimmon leaves can be used to make teas. The wood is extremely hard and has been used to make golf club heads, billiard cues and shoe lasts. This cultivar will normally grow 35 - 60' in height. With pruning, trees can be maintained at 15-20'. 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. 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 .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 71 attributes.