American Persimmon, a plant of CARE

Across the Nation, climatic shifts occur. “Challenging,” says Glen Allen, VA based The Wright Scoop –Sylvia Hoehns Wright, founder of the Plants of Care plant recognition program, “all to identify plants which enable eco sustainable urban suburban landscapes. As a result, Wright has chosen for the 4^th quarter of 2014 ‘plant of CARE’ American Persimmon. 

American Persimmon, a plant of CARE -

American Persimmon is recognized for its sustainable, drought-and-heat resistance attributes as well as viable food sources for people and/or wildlife. Native fruit trees such as persimmon produce food for people and/or wildlife while protecting soil, water and air quality. Because they are multifunctional, native fruit trees are prime candidates for agroforestry plantings and home landscaping. Such trees also offer the added benefit of greater pest and disease resistance when compared to non-native commercial species.

American-persimmon, Diospyros Virginiana, is a medium-sized tree that has handsome deep green foliage and dark blocky bark. It produces orange colored fruit about the size of a cherry tomato that ripen in late autumn. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used in breads, puddings, cakes, and cookies. If eaten before it is fully ripe the fruit is very bitter. A general rule of thumb is that the fruit is ripe after the first frost of the season, but ripening time varies by cultivar.

Barry Nichols of Louisville, Ky., a biologist and a member of the North American Fruit Explorers (www.nafex.org), created a web site www.persimmonpudding.com to share information, including recipes, about his favorite fruit. Persimmons became a part of Nichols' diet when his trickster grandfather gave him an unripe fruit and urged him to chomp down. The young Nichols found what colonialist John Smith noted in 17th-century Virginia: "If it be not ripe, it will drawe a man's mouth awrie with much torment." As a hands-on gardener, "I’ve," says Wright, "found these trees to flourish as well as contribute an awesome food source to my central Virginia woodland gardens."

About Plants of Care, plant recognition program – 

An eco- advocate, Glen Allen VA based The Wright Scoop –Sylvia Hoehns Wright, founder of the Plants of Care plant recognition program challenges all to not simple identify plants that survive but thrive. “For,” says Wright, “any style landscape should not simply reflect traditional design concepts but be a result of the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating a legacy of green, healthier urban/suburban communities. The challenge for 21st century landscape gardeners is to create landscapes from a “waste not, and want not” eco logical commitment:  become caretakers for the environmental community.”

About the Wright Scoop –

Wright, who participates in nation-wide plant testing programs, chooses plants proven to enable landscape gardens of CARE – inspire people to have a perspective of conservation, accountability, recovery and efficiency in relation to the living green that surrounds them. Spotlighted by Landscape Architect magazine as an Industry ‘mover and shaker’, Wright identified American-persimmon, Diospyros Virginiana, as a ‘Plant of CARE’ challenging all to select and install plants that work-well for their region. For details of her activities, link to web site www.TheWrightScoop.com or contact Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com or follow her activities through facebook group The Wright Scoop or twitter ID WrightScoop.

Sidebar: Persimmon Jam Recipe (by www.sbcanning.com)

2 lbs. Persimmon
1 cup sugar
1 T. honey
1 T. bottled lemon juice

Preparation and Cooking: Peel and dice persimmons. Add persimmons to a saucepan and add 1 cup of sugar and cook down on medium low until the persimmons are soft enough to mash.  Mash the fruit and it will become thick in the pan. Add the honey and bottled lemon juice and heat till honey is incorporated. Jam should be thick.  Seal jars as instructed by www.sbcanning.com.

Side-bar: Tips for Creating Landscape Gardens of CARE

•           Hitch hike onto seasonal cycles.

•           Conduct a site analysis.

•           Develop a master landscape plan. 

•           Create bio-diverse landscapes (blend of native and non-native plants).

•           Be water wise.

•           Create layered tree/shrub shelter.

•           Enable ‘critter’ and ‘people’ habitats.

•           Create a garden of CARE, a space that reflects a naturalist ‘waste not and want not’ perspective