Asimina triloba + ODRŮDY pawpaw

Pawpaw is an old tree species from eastern USA. It is cultivated for both its ornamental value as well as edible fruit. In May appear exotic flowers on bare wood. They are 6-petalled, open bell-shaped, deep burgundy red. Deciduous leaves are large - almost 30 cm long, obovate, medium green, and turn rich yellow in autumn. Young crowns have a very symmetrical, menorah-like framework. In our climate the tree reaches some 3-4m tall while in the wild and warmer countries it can grow twice as large.

This tree is sought-after especially among collectors and lovers of unconventional fruit types. In autumn ripen ovoid, fat, bottle-shaped, 10-20 cm long fruit of pale green colour with edible flesh and poisonous seeds. The flesh has a unique scent and sweet, viscous texture whose taste is usually compared to a mixture of mango and banana. In order to get the fruit you need two plants for cross pollination. And a long and hot summer. New varieties are bred for earlier ripening and some are even self-fertile.

Grow pawpaw only in full sun, in a warm location. It will grow in any garden soil except chalky. If your soil has high pH adjust it with more peat or a pH balancer. It makes a strong central root (just like pine trees) owing to which older plants cannot be transplanted unless cultivated in a pot. Fertilizing is usually not needed, nor pruning as it grows slowly. If needed, pruning can be done after flowering - it flowers on previous year's wood. We trialled its hardiness down to -27°C (USDA zone 5b) without wood injury.

Last update 21-04-2019