Diospyros Kaki Chinese Persimmon or Chinese Date Plum

Diospyros Kaki is a deciduous fruit tree with glorious autumn colour and edible orange-yellow fruits in late summer. It suits an orchard garden, a kitchen garden, and Japanese style spaces.

Diospyros Kaki is the Chinese Persimmon. It’s also known as the Chinese Date Plum and it’s synonymous with Diospyros Chinensis. Native to the Far East, this very pretty tree has been cultivated for more than 2000 years. It was introduced to the UK in 1796 from China and has become loved for its outstanding autumnal shades that rival Japanese Acers.

Chinese Persimmon is mostly grown here for its autumnal display of large orange-yellow, red and red-purple leaves that cover the tree before falling for winter. In spring, fresh new glossy green foliage appears followed by tiny yellow flowers in summer. If pollinated, its flowers ripen into edible tomato-shaped orange-yellow persimmon fruits.

If you’re looking for a specimen tree with lots of spring to autumn interest Chinese Date Plum is an excellent choice for mid-sized gardens.

Height And Spread of Diospyros Kaki
Over 20-50 years Chinese Persimmon reaches a maximum height of around 8 metres and its crown spreads across 4 metres.

How Hardy Is Diospyros Kaki
Chinese Date Plum is hardy through most of the UK if it has well-drained roots and a sheltered spot in full sun.

How To Use Diospyros Kaki
This is a magnificent specimen tree for spring to autumn displays. Its pretty springtime flowers attract lots of pollinators and its autumn colours bring vivid shades to a mixed border or an ornamental display in the lawn.
The edible fruits can be made into jams and jellies, so it’s a brightly coloured choice for kitchen gardens and orchards, but if you prefer to let them drop, blackbirds will tidy up the remains in a low maintenance wildlife-friendly garden.

This is an all-round useful ornamental for sheltered hot spots and a good alternative to acers.

How To Care For Diospyros Kaki
Although it will grow in most types of well-drained acidic to alkaline soils, the Chinese Date Plum needs shelter and full sun to thrive. It doesn’t cope with harsh freezing winds and frost pockets so a west or south facing position near a wall is best.
Pruning isn’t necessary, but you can remove crossed or broken branches in mid-winter or early spring.
Cover the roots with a thick layer of organic mulch in spring and be sure to water it well until you see new growth. The number one killer of new trees is a lack of water. No matter how hardy they become, newly planted trees need plenty of water to establish their roots.