Audubon Native Pawpaw and the native birds that benefit from the plant
Native Pawpaw fruit cut open to see white-flesh and rich brown seeds
Native Pawpaw closeup of burgundy flowers and light green leaves on branch
Native Pawpaw tree in landscape with large, long spring leaves
Native Pawpaw tree covered in the bright yellow leaves of fall
A map of the United States and Canada that highlights the native regions for Pawpaw
Carolina Wren perched on a stone in snowfall
Pine Warbler perched on a broken branch
White Breasted Nuthatch hanging on a tree
Eastern Bluebird perched on a tree looking at the camera
Audubon Native Pawpaw and the native birds that benefit from the plant
Native Pawpaw fruit cut open to see white-flesh and rich brown seeds
Native Pawpaw closeup of burgundy flowers and light green leaves on branch
Native Pawpaw tree in landscape with large, long spring leaves
Native Pawpaw tree covered in the bright yellow leaves of fall
A map of the United States and Canada that highlights the native regions for Pawpaw
Carolina Wren perched on a stone in snowfall
Pine Warbler perched on a broken branch
White Breasted Nuthatch hanging on a tree
Eastern Bluebird perched on a tree looking at the camera

Audubon® Native Pawpaw Treeling

Bower & Branch Trees and Plants

Audubon® Plants for Birds: Asimina triloba

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This plant is not available at this time through Bower & Branch. We provide this plant profile for reference only. 

See below for alternative selections for purchase and inspiration!

LARGEST EDIBLE FRUIT TO NORTH AMERICA

FEATURES: 

May Benefit & Attract: Thrushes, waxwings, wood warblers, finches, mockingbirds & thrashers, chickadees & titmice, orioles, cardinals & grosbeaks, crows & jays, sparrows, nuthatches, vireos, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and wrens

  • Velvet burgundy flowers bloom in spring
  • Large tropical green leaves mature to bright yellow in fall
  • Delicious custard tasting fruit ripens in fall
  • Deer resistant
  • The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. 
  • This bird-friendly native trees provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife 
  • All Audubon® branded trees are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment. 
  • Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
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Growth Facts

  • Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Mature Height: 15-20' tall
  • Mature Width: 15-20' wide
  • Exposure: Full Sun/Part Shade
  • Spacing: 15-20' apart

Why plant Audubon® Native Pawpaw Treeling?

The Pawpaw Tree, with foot-long leaves that droop lazily from the branches, will give your garden a laid-back tropical vibe. Plant it where you’ll be able to appreciate its bold presence throughout the growing season—especially in fall, when the foliage turns the color of ripe pineapple. If you plant more than one tree, you may also be rewarded with the gift of delectable fruits which have a tropical flair as well. About the size of a potato, the uncommon pawpaw fruit contains a sweet, creamy yellow flesh that’s often compared to banana custard in flavor. You’ll find it hard to believe that this dramatic tree doesn’t hail from some tropical paradise, but is actually native as far north as New York!

Way down yonder in the Pawpaw patch... so goes the old folk song celebrating this beloved native plant, which has a long history in America. Pawpaw was valued in ancient times by Native Americans, and the delicious fruits later nourished European settlers and explorers like Lewis and Clark. Humans aren’t the only ones who delight in this yummy fruit treat—wildlife love pawpaws, too. The foliage feeds the young of the dazzling white, black, and red zebra swallowtail butterfly. In fact, Pawpaw is the ONLY thing that zebra swallowtail caterpillars will eat, which is reason enough to grow this splendid tree.

How to use Audubon® Native Pawpaw Treeling in the landscape?

Look for Pawpaw’s interesting flowers in mid to late spring. These thick-textured, triangular, burgundy-colored blooms are primitive from a botanical standpoint. Exuding a very faint musky scent, they are meant to attract beetles and flies for pollination instead of bees. It isn’t clear whether or not a single Pawpaw Tree can pollinate itself, but planting two different trees will ensure cross-pollination, promoting optimum fruit set in fall.

Planting Zones

Hardiness Zone: 5-9

How To Plant Audubon® Native Pawpaw Treeling

Pawpaw’s home in the wild is at forest edges or in the woodland understory, and it appreciates similar conditions in the landscape. It is happiest in a site with rich, organic-laden, well-drained soil and a generous layer of mulch. It flourishes in shade but will tolerate full sun if it is shaded for the first few years and if regular irrigation can be provided. This tree doesn’t like constantly soggy soil, but it doesn’t like to dry out, either.

How To Water

Pawpaws will appreciate regular water during its first few years in the ground and irrigation during long dry spells after it’s established.

How To Fertilize

Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant Food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.

How To Prune

Suckers may appear around the tree—this is simply Pawpaw’s natural growth habit. You may pull or mow off the suckers to maintain the tree as a single-trunked specimen, or you may let them grow to allow a Pawpaw patch of your own to form.


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