Persimmon Nikitas Gift

Nikitas Gift Persimmon

Diospyros ‘Nikita’s Gift’ is a hybrid persimmon combining American persimmon hardiness with larger Asian persimmon fruit quality. It produces glossy green foliage, yellow-orange fall color, and attractive reddish-orange fruit that ripens in fall. The fruit is usually astringent until fully soft, so it should be allowed to ripen completely before eating. It is commonly listed as a cross of Diospyros virginiana × Diospyros kaki and is also associated with the name ‘Nikitskaya Bordovaya’.

Type: Deciduous fruit tree
Mature Size: 10–15 ft. wide × 10–15 ft. tall; sometimes larger with age
USDA Zones: 5a–9b
Form: Small rounded to upright fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Well-drained soil; moderate water during establishment; average water once established
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring; small, inconspicuous flowers
Wildlife: Fruit attracts birds and wildlife; flowers support bees

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for edible landscapes, small orchards, home fruit gardens, wildlife plantings, and sunny specimen use. ‘Nikita’s Gift’ is valued for being more cold-hardy than many Asian persimmons while producing larger, higher-quality fruit than many American persimmons. Several nursery sources list it as self-fertile, though fruit set may improve with another compatible persimmon nearby.

Care:
Plant in full sun in a protected, well-drained site. Water regularly while establishing, then during drought or fruit development. Prune lightly in late winter to shape the tree and remove crossing or damaged branches. Harvest fruit when fully colored and soft; firm fruit is usually astringent. In colder Zone 5 sites, protect young trees from winter wind and late spring frost.

Plant type

Fruit Tree, Small Fruit

Height

10-15'

Width

10-15'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Late Spring

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Red

Fruit color

Dark Salmon

Attracts

Birds

Soil

Average, Well Drained

Landscape use

Fruit, Home Orchard

Shape

Rounded, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No