Asimina triloba (F)
pawpaw
A shrub or small tree with oval leaves up to 30cm long, turning yellow in autumn. Purple-brown, cup-shaped flowers up to 5cm across are produced in late spring, followed by egg-shaped, edible fruit upto 12 cm long,yellow-green at first, ripening to yellow-brown
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | Brown | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Annonaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Asimina are deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with broad or narrow, oval leaves. The purplish flowers are followed by sweet, pulpy, greenish or yellow fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SE Canada to C & E USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in acid or neutral, moist but well-drained soil. Needs long, hot summers to become a tree and produce fruit, otherwise grow as a multi-stemmed shrub
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by layering in autumn, or root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.