Persimmon

Sun or partial shade. Deciduous with large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves and racquetball-sized orange fruit in autumn. Outstanding fiery fall color; nothing beats it.

Japanese Persimmon is one of the best fruit trees for south-central Texas and it doesn’t require specific soils like peach trees do. To experience it’s legendary sweetness (the Latin name translates as “divine fruit”) wait until the fruit has softened almost to a custard-like texture inside its smooth skin; many varieties are unpleasant until this occurs. Freezing the fruit before eating can help accelerate this ripening.