Rappahannock® Pawpaw Treeling

Rappahannock® Pawpaw, 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. The uncommon pawpaw fruit contains a sweet, creamy yellow flesh that’s often compared to banana custard in flavor about the size of a potato.

The tropical feels are real with the Pawpaw tree, but only the Mango Pawpaw can bring the tropical feels home faster. Mango is a fast-growing pawpaw tree, small in size, however providing a bountiful harvest of the famous custard-apples that pawpaws are known for. Mango gets its name from the large yellow-orange colored flesh fruits that you can grow right in your backyard! Mango Pawpaw is an excellent addition to backyard orchards looking to grow unique or unusual trees that are not commonly found in landscapes or grocery stores!

This variety was named after the Rappahannock River in Virginia, as many pawpaw trees can be found in groves along the riverside, which many wildlife and backpackers look forward to each fall season. The earliest accounts of Pawpaw Trees in North America date back to 1541. A Spanish traveler named Hernando De Soto was given pawpaw fruits from the Native Americans who were harvesting the trees by the Mississippi River. Pawpaw fruit was a main source of food for Native Americans and Settlers as they lived and traveled through the land; they mainly relied on foraging for food. They were especially beloved amongst Native Americans, most tribes having a month dedicated to the fruits in their calendar, referring to them as 'asimi'. During the Great Depression, they were nicknamed 'poor man's banana'. After World War II and the introduction of other fruits, pawpaw became harder to find. Mainly seen today in farmer's markets, you can now keep the tradition going and harvest these delicious treats in your own backyard!

Rappahannock® is a specialty variety of Neal Peterson. Neal Peterson is a well-known Pawpaw breeder, and is revered as one of the top horticulturists for Asimina triloba. A Peterson variety of Pawpaw means its more reliable, tastier, and guaranteed superior quality.

Pawpaw trees are a member of the Custard Apple Family, and Rappahannock® is one of the largest varieties. This ornamental tropical fruit tree is perfect for both front and backyard planting, with its many seasons of color and deliciousness! Plant 15 feet apart from a pollinating pawpaw tree and grow a large harvest with plenty to share! Wonderful in puddings, pies, baked goods, and for canning.