Benny’s Favorite Pawpaw

Benny’s Favorite Pawpaw

An excellent selection by Jerry Lehman who was responsible for breeding and selecting many pawpaw and persimmon varieties on his Indiana farm. Benny’s Favorite is a cross between Prolific and Sam Norris-15. The flavor is deliciously sweet with a lovely texture on medium sized fruits.

Pawpaw’s (Asimina triloba) are one of the most unique and delicious fruits that can be grown in the backyard orchard. Native to eastern North America, pawpaw’s are the only member of the Annonaceae, or custard apple family, that is adapted to temperate climates. Its tropical relatives include the cherimoya, atemoya, guanabana, and soursop, and it is easy to see the resemblance between the pawpaw fruit and that of its tropical cousins. Pawpaw fruit combines delectable, fruity, banana-like flavor with creamy, custard-like flesh. Nutritious as well as delicious, the greenish yellow, 3″-6″ long fruit is unusually high in protein and is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Everything about this plant, from its leaf size and shape to the way its fruits look, taste and smell is tropical, yet it is cold hardy to zone 5 and can be grown in temperate climates from coast to coast. A slow growing, small tree, Pawpaw is naturally disease and pest resistant and features long, tropical-looking foliage that turns a striking bright yellow in the fall. The largest native American fruit, Pawpaw was a significant part of the Native American diet, and with our superior large-fruited varieties, is enjoying new popularity. 

Click here to read our Pawpaw Growing Guide.

Latin Name: Asimina triloba (cv. 275-56)
Site and Soil: Pawpaw likes rich, well-drained soil, high in organic matter. Can be grown in shade or sun. Summer Sunburn affects the young trees, so protect against the intense afternoon sun.
Rootstock Description: Grafted onto Pawpaw seedling rootstock.
Pollination Requirements: Plant two varieties or a combination of seedlings and varieties for cross-pollination.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 20º F or below.
Bearing Age: 3-5 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft. in height
Taste: Sweet, banana-like flavor
Fruit Skin: Greenish yellow
Fruit Flesh: Yellow
Fruit Size: Large
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: September-October
Yield: 30+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Pawpaw is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 5-8