Pawpaw plants are the ultimate low‑maintenance fruit tree. In fact, these large shrubs can be found growing wild in moist, shaded woodlands throughout South Carolina. With their large leaves, pawpaws fit nicely into shrub borders and along the edges of forests, and other than annual fertilization, some minimal pruning and some extra moisture during droughts, they’re practically self-sufficient. They do tend to sucker from their roots, which can be a nuisance, but the relaxed gardener can allow the suckers to grow and form small colonies.
Pawpaws exposed to enough direct sunlight will bear fruit in August when few other fresh fruits are available. The fruit, which you can eat right off the tree, resemble green potatoes and taste sort of like banana-mango custard. Even if you don’t enjoy the fruit yourself—I find that about 50 percent of people don’t—birds and animals will devour them. Bonus: Pawpaw leaves are the larval food for beautiful zebra swallowtail butterflies, which will be attracted to your landscape.
When shopping for plants, look for Sunflower, PA‑Golden and Shenandoah varieties and remember that you will need to plant at least two varieties in your garden to ensure proper pollination.
For more information on growing pawpaws, visit Kentucky State University’s pawpaw page.
_____
FRUITY TIPS
Click below to grow: