American Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)

American pawpaw (Asimina triloba)  is a cold hardy, tropical mango-banana flavoured fruit that is native to North America. It is related to the cherimoya and soursop. (not to be confused with papaya)

American Paw Paw can grow up to 6 meters tall (a bit shorter in New Zealand) and boasts a sprawling, dense canopy that creates a dramatic, lush appearance. Its large, glossy dark green leaves set the stage for a stunning spring display—clusters of vibrant maroon flowers that are eagerly pollinated by flies and beetles. These flowers give way to impressive, 6-inch long fruit with a creamy, custard-like texture and a flavor that’s a mouthwatering mix of banana and mango. Packed with vitamins and minerals, this delicious fruit is not only a treat for your taste buds but a powerhouse of nutrition too!

American Paw Paw are deciduous, cold-hardy, and thrive with a cold winter and warm summer. They can fruit in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, even in milder winter areas like the Far North. 

Two American Paw Paw plants are needed for pollination, as a single plant usually won't yield well. Any two seedlings will work together. They prefer some shade at first but will be more productive in full sun. Expect fruit in 4-5 years when the plants reach a good size, though they are slow growers these seedlings are two + years old and still getting started.

Seedlings are planted in PB6 bags and will be a similar size to the pictured seedling. 

Varieties

KSU: Grown from the top Kentucky State University (KSU) selections. 
Peterson: Seedlings from top Peterson selections (Susquehanna, Shenandoah, Potomac). For more information, check out the Peterson American Paw Paw varieties here

While they may not grow true to type, they should still produce high-quality fruit.