Whether planted in full sun or part shade, the pawpaw tree, native to the Midwest, works well as a specimen or can be useful as a screen.
Nodding, dark purple flowers in the spring, elongated edible fruit in the summer, and a yellow to yellow-green fall color add to the appeal of this small understory tree. The fruit of the pawpaw’s flavor and flesh consistency resembles that of bananas.
Pawpaws may be difficult to find in nurseries.
This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.
- Family (English) Custard Apple
- Family (botanic) Annonaceae
- Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines
- Tree or plant type Tree
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
- Size range Small tree (15-25 feet)
- Mature height 15-20 feet
- Mature width 15-20 feet
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
- Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil, Wet soil
- Tolerances Occasional flooding, Wet sites
- Season of interest mid spring, late spring, midsummer, late summer, early fall
- Flower color and fragrance Purple
- Shape or form Multi-stemmed, Pyramidal, Thicket-forming
- Growth rate Slow
- Transplants well No
- Planting considerations Excessive sucker growth, May be difficult to find in nurseries
- Wildlife Game birds, Game mammals, Small mammals
- Has cultivars Yes
