Description
Asimina triloba – Pawpaw
Quality: 1/1 P 15-30
Short description: The pawpaw is the northernmost tropical-looking fruit plant in North America – and a botanical rarity in Central European gardens. Its large, mango-like fruits taste like a mixture of banana, mango, and vanilla, ripening in September and October. The large, exotic-looking foliage turns a brilliant yellow in autumn. As a specimen plant or small fruit tree, it is an extraordinary addition to the garden.
Climatic characteristics & site conditions: The pawpaw is hardy down to –25 °C and is therefore suitable for most locations in southern Germany – it thrives best and reliably produces fruit in mild regions such as the Rhine Plain, Lake Constance region, and the Stuttgart area. In harsh high altitudes above 600 m and in areas prone to late frosts, fruit ripening is uncertain as the blossoms are sensitive to late frosts. It prefers warm, sunny locations with deep, fresh, and well-drained soils. Two different clones are required for fruit formation.
Advantages: Exotic, tasty fruits, extraordinary habit, hardy, attractive autumn foliage, rare and special, few pest problems.
Disadvantages: Two clones required for fruit formation, blossoms sensitive to late frost, uncertain fruit ripening in cool locations, fruits very short-lived after harvest, rare in trade, non-native.
