Nightingale Persimmon Tree

Nightingale Persimmon (Diospyros kaki 'Nightingale') is an astringent persimmon with large, conical fruit that turns rich, sweet and jelly-like once fully soft. It grows into a rounded deciduous tree of about 4m to 5m with brilliant autumn leaf colour and orange fruit that hangs on bare branches.

Why you'll love it

• Large, conical fruit. The pointed orange fruit is big and showy, and the flesh is sweet and honeyed when ripe.
• Autumn colour. Glossy summer leaves turn yellow, orange and red before they drop.
• Good for drying. Astringent persimmons are the classic fruit for drying and for eating soft, spooned from the skin.
• A handsome tree. The wide canopy gives summer shade and winter lanterns of fruit.

Where it works best

Backyard orchard. Plant 4m to 5m apart in full sun.

Feature and shade tree. Give it a position where the autumn colour can be seen from the house.

Instant impact. The 300 litre bag is a specimen tree for gardens that cannot wait.

Growing Nightingale Persimmon in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and shelter from strong wind. It grows in subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and tolerates frost when dormant.

Soil. Well drained, fertile soil enriched with compost. Avoid waterlogging.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer and while fruit swells, and feed in spring with a fruit tree fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune in winter to an open shape and thin heavy crops so branches hold up. Eat only when fully soft, because the fruit is astringent until then. Net against fruit fly.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Nightingale Persimmon in 300mm pots and 300 litre bags. The 300mm pot is a young tree that grows quickly in spring. The 300 litre bag is specimen stock, so expect a heavy plant and plan for lifting equipment and help. Water deeply through the first summer and mulch the root zone, which helps a young tree settle and grow strongly before its first crop. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse more fruit trees for the home garden
• More deciduous trees
• Plants with autumn colour
• Fruit trees for every season: planting tips

Common questions

Why does my persimmon taste bitter?

Nightingale is astringent, so the fruit tastes harsh until it is fully soft. Wait until it feels like a water balloon, then it is sweet.

Can it be dried?

Yes. Astringent persimmons dry well and the process sweetens them.

When is it ripe?

In autumn, with fruit hanging on bare branches after the leaves drop.