Date Plum (Diospyros lotus) 5 Seeds
 
 
Diospyros lotus is an attractive deciduous tree that produces small, edible fruits. Its oval-shaped leaves are dark green and glossy and really attractive. In mid to late spring, small greenish-white bell-shaped flowers appear followed by spherical yellow-orange fruits about the size of a walnut. These fruits darken to a purple shade in October when they are often edible, but like Diospyros kaki, are astringent unless bletted. A fairly small tree that takes well to pruning, they fit well against a fence, where they can take advantage of wind protection. Also suitable for container growing.                   
                                                                                 
Leaves oval, 2 to 5 in. long, 1 to 2 in. wide, tapered at both ends, entire, dark polished green above, and glabrous except on the midrib, pale, somewhat glaucous, and with small scattered hairs beneath; stalk 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in. long, downy. Trees unisexual; male flowers produced on very short, downy stalks one to three together, in the leaf-axils of the shoots of the year in July; female flowers solitary.
Native of China, whence it has several times been introduced; of the Himalaya; possibly also of Asia Minor. It was cultivated early in the 17th century in England, but has never become very common in gardens, although perfectly hardy. Fruits develop freely, but remain very astringent, and unfit for food. The trees emit a curious heavy odour, especially on damp days in autumn. It is due apparently to some exhalation from the leaves.
 
 
It is as a specimen rather than as a fruiting tree that this species should be judged and as such it ranks high, owing to its dark but lustrous green leaves, which contrast with the more common greens of the garden landscape. It has reached a height of 35 ft at Kew and 40 ft at Westonbirt.
Packet contains 5 fresh seeds.
 
 
Care and propagation notes included.