If the Pawpaw were a movie, it would be a cult-classic that’s quickly becoming a mainstream hit. The Pawpaw is a small, understory tree that has attracted passionate devotees for a long time, because of one intriguing twist: it produces a delicious custard-like fruit resembling bananas and mangoes. Boasting the largest fruit of any North American native tree, the Pawpaw belongs to the Custard Apple family. Most of its relatives reside in tropical climates, which explains why this native tree has a uniquely tropical feel. For the best chance of fruit production, plant at least two in your garden. Other wonderful traits: unique burgundy colored blooms, yellow fall color, the food value for mammals and other wildlife if you choose to leave the fruit.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; average to moist soil
Size: 15' - 30' tall, 15' - 30' spread
Zone: 5 - 9
Wildlife Value: Flowers attractive to pollinating flies; larval host for Zebra Swallowtail
Photos: Milo Pyne, Dave Korbonits