'Oriole'™ persimmon tree is a Korean cultivar, selected for its large, deep orange fruit and consistently excellent flavour. When fully ripe, the flesh becomes very soft and smooth with a rich, honeyed sweetness and a mild, almost caramel-like depth. Fruit are well suited for fresh eating, as well as baking and preserves.
'Oriole'™ is appreciated for reliable crops that ripen early, producing high-quality fruit that develops good sweetness even in shorter coastal seasons.
The fruit is astringent until fully soft, so it must be allowed to ripen fully before eating — once softened, the tannins disappear and the flavour becomes balanced and sweet.
'Oriole'™ is a female cultivar that will produce fruit without the need for a male tree nearby.
The trees are moderately vigorous, typically maturing around 10–12 feet tall with a manageable canopy that responds well to pruning. 'Oriole'™ has become popular with home growers looking for a productive tree with traditional soft-flesh persimmon character and strong eating quality.
Common names: Oriole™ Persimmon, Asian Persimmon, Japanese Persimmon, Oriental Persimmon, Kaki Persimmon
Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: October-November
Scientific name: Diospyros kaki 'Oriole', (aka 'Black Flesh')
Light requirements: Full sun
Full-grown size: 10-12' tall x 8-10' wide
Hardiness: Zone 7
Pollination: Capable of setting fruit without pollination (parthenocarpic), which means you only need one tree to get fruit.
Wildlife: Not deer resistant. Wildlife attracted to fruit.
Origin: Korea
Noteworthy: Excellent fresh eating quality.
