Name of plant

Question: Hi! Can you please help me identify this shrub? It’s prolific flowers were covered in happy bees. Thank you!

responder: Chris Rusch Replied June 12, 2023, 11:44 PM EDT
response: This is a crab apple. This shrub variety is called southern crab apple. Malus angustifolia.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 13, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT
response: Hi Chris,This bushy shrub has diminutive flowers that are just under 1 cm across. The waxy, deep green leaves are 3-4 cm long. So I don’t think it is a crabapple (Malus angustifolia). With this additional information, would you be able to identify it?Thank you,ShannonOn Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 8:44 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Chris Rusch Replied June 14, 2023, 12:05 AM EDT
response: Yes. Looks like Prince's luculia a species of Luculia. It is also known as Luculia pinceana.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 15, 2023, 10:27 PM EDT
response: Hi Chris,Thank you for continuing to search for the identity of this plant. It was great to meet you and Mugsy in the office yesterday. Please let me know if you find the name of this plant. I’ve now seen it multiple places across town, mainly in commercial locations. Kindly,ShannonPS. I have another mystery plant to send you, this time a small tree. I’ll submit the request through the site. Thanks!On Tue, Jun 13, 2023 at 9:05 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Chris Rusch Replied June 16, 2023, 1:39 AM EDT
response: Check out escallonia. There are several varieties.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 16, 2023, 11:54 AM EDT
response: That looks right!! Thank you for finding it, Chris! I really appreciate it. Kind Regards,Shannon On Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 10:39 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 17, 2023, 1:17 AM EDT
response: Hi again!Is this persimmon? I brought this small tree back from the brink of death when I moved in last year and now it’s flowering. I’ve never had a persimmon before (if that’s what this is). How do I best care for it?Thank you!On Fri, Jun 16, 2023 at 8:51 AM Shannon Lynch <<personal data hidden>> wrote:That looks right!! Thank you for finding it, Chris! I really appreciate it. Kind Regards,Shannon On Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 10:39 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Chris Rusch Replied June 17, 2023, 1:23 AM EDT
response: Persimmon trees are small, easy to grow, and adapted to most of western Oregon. Two kinds of Persimmons are grown in the west. The Native American species (Diospyros virginiana) is a bigger, more cold tolerant tree than the Asian species (Diospyros kaki). The Asian type bears a larger and sweeter fruit than the American type. The common American persimmon grows wild in the Eastern US and reaches as far west as the Colorado River in Texas. The fruit is an important wildlife food and is edible. Persimmon wood is very hard and nearly black. The wood from old trees has been used to make golf club heads, billiard cues and parquet flooring. Confederate soldiers boiled persimmon seeds as a coffee substitute during the Civil War. Diospyros means "fruit or wheat of the gods;" virginiana means "from Virginia." One common name, possum wood, was given to the tree because opossums love its fruit. The common American persimmon makes excellent rootstock and is graft compatible for cultivated Asian persimmons. If you decide to plant an American persimmon, two or more varieties or seedlings of American persimmon must be planted for pollination. The Asian persimmon is a species related to common American persimmon, but is native to Asia (China, Japan). On the main island of Japan, persimmon trees are found in every village, along roadsides, and around farmer’s cottages. It was introduced to the United States in mid-1800 from its native China and Japan. It has been an important fruit crop in each of those countries for hundreds of years. It can grow to about 30 feet when mature. Most Asian persimmons produce seedless fruit. Seedless fruit tends to have better eye appeal because seeded fruit that results from cross-pollination, often have darker flesh. Most Asian types are self-fertile. The month of January is an ideal time to plant bare-rooted persimmons. Containerized trees should be purchased in March/April to insure that the tree is leafed out and well rooted. Plant trees 15 to 20 feet apart in a sunny location. The soil should be a rich loam with good drainage. Do not allow the trees to stand in water. The tree has good drought tolerance, but it is important to keep your trees watered during our hot and dry summer months. Add a layer of mulch and compost as needed. Persimmon trees usually need pruning only to remove broken or dead branches, or open up a too dense interior. Prune trees when they are young to establish a good framework. Remove suckers that shoot up from below the graft line. The tree, its leaves, and its fruit do not have to be sprayed because they have no serious insect or disease problems.  The fruit should be allowed to hang on the tree as long as possible unless varmints are an issue; then remove the fruit with a gentle pull when they develop a vibrant orange color. Knowing when to eat persimmons is the key to enjoying them. Most persimmons, except ‘Fuyu” and ‘Izu” are astringent and must be fully ripe and soft before eating. Persimmons are delicious whether eaten fresh, dried, or cooked. As a fresh fruit, they are unbelievable. The taste of a fully ripened persimmon is superb-incomparable to any other fruit. They are high in vitamin A. You can also place unripe persimmons in a box in a clean, dry place (such as a garage) for ripening. The American and Asian persimmon are excellent fruit trees for ornamental use and make beautiful specimen trees. Few fruit trees are as attractive in landscapes as persimmons. They provide dark green foliage in the summer that turns orange/yellowish/red in the fall. The tree is a sight to behold when the leaves have fallen in autumn, displaying the bright yellow-orange fruits throughout the canopy.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 17, 2023, 1:32 PM EDT
response: Thank you for this great information!Kindly,ShannonOn Fri, Jun 16, 2023 at 10:23 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Chris Rusch Replied June 20, 2023, 12:31 AM EDT
response: Thanks for contacting ask extension.