⁠ 🌿 NATIVE PLANT OF THE WEEK⁠ American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana, Zones 4–10)⁠ ⁠ This one’s for the foragers, wildlife lovers, and anyone who appreciates a tree with deep roots in both ecology and culture.⁠ ⁠ American persimmon trees are native across the central and eastern U.S., and their wrinkly, orange fruits have been feeding humans and animals for centuries. Indigenous communities made persimmon bread. Today, fallen fruit still feeds foxes, raccoons, deer, birds—even the occasional skunk.⁠ ⁠ Want to grow your own? Since persimmons are dioecious, you’ll need both a male and a female tree to get fruit. Plant them in full sun and give them sandy, well-drained soil (though they’ll tolerate poor soil and tough conditions). In ideal spots, they’ll grow tall and statuesque. In rougher terrain, they adapt and stay shrubby.⁠ ⁠ 🍂 Pro tip: Don’t pick too early—persimmons are perfect when soft, sweet, and just a little wrinkled. The fruit can be described as date-like and reminiscent...