A mission of the Orchard is to be a comprehensive genetic library of named cultivars of Diospyros virginiana and Diospyros hybrid, our North American Persimmon and its hybrids with Asian persimmon varieties.  Additionally, we have an extensive collection of Asian persimmon cultivars that we are testing for cold resistance to Zone 7a, to facilitate crossing with hybrids.  Below are the varieties that are planted at the Orchard, and those that are in our grafting cycle to be planted when they are sufficiently robust.

Growers possessing cultivars that are not shown here are encouraged to reach out to AFFN with germplasm/scions.

This is especially important in view of climate fluctuations of all sorts – wind, rain, heat and cold – that we are all experiencing in greater measure everywhere.  Our Orchard is fortunate to be near the geographic center of the native distribution of many of our native plants, and also, we are quite near the Appalachian Mountain range, which has thus far been a climate moderating influence for the Orchard.  May it continue to be so!

The list of approximately 135 cultivars was last updated 7/20/2023.  Please reach out to us, if you have corrections to offer on cultivar names, or redundancies of which you are aware among the cultivars.  Clarifying confusion in names, which has arisen through the years, is also a goal of AFFN.