Standing in a Pawpaw grove is like stepping into a tropical rainforest. Large-lobed leaves resemble their cousin the banana but are smaller and look like they would keep you dry in a summer rain. Pawpaw flowers early in spring with small, dark red, leathery flowers perched on bare stems, and visited by small flying insects. Pawpaws are also the larval host for the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly. Flowers give rise to edible fruit that has a custardy texture and banana-like flavor. Leaves turn golden-yellow in fall. Grow in the bright woodland understory or in a sunny spot in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Pawpaw is a wonderful surprise in the garden that works best in a grove of 5 or more.

Bloom color: dark-red
Bloom period: mid-spring
Height: 15'
Spread: 15'
Zones: 5-8