Rappahannock™ Pawpaw

Rappahannock™ Pawpaw

Selected for its abundant crops of medium to large fruit, Rappahannock™ Pawpaw is prized for its sweet and refreshing flavor, firm flesh and low seed content. Rappahannock™ ripens early and its attractive fruit is easy to see and harvest because of the unusual, almost horizontal foliage.

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
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 at least minus 20º F.
Bearing Age: 3-5 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft. in height (taller in warmer regions)
Taste: Sweet and refreshing
Fruit Skin: Greenish yellow
Fruit Flesh: Firm and creamy 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