Pawpaw trees are native to the eastern US and produce fruit that tastes like banana, mango, and melon, but rarely reach stores because they don't ship well. They're disease-resistant, need two trees for cross-pollination, and are the only food source for zebra swallowtail caterpillars. TN Nursery sells them with a buy-one-get-one-free deal.
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Hello everyone. Let's talk about one of the best kept secrets in native gardening, the pawpaw tree. It's a small understory tree native to eastern United States. And if you've never heard of it, you're not alone. But once you get to know it, you'll want one for your own in your yard. The pawpaw tree produces large edible fruits native to North America. The fruit tastes like a tropical mix of banana, mango, and melon. It's rich and absolutely delicious. But you've probably never seen it in a grocery store. That's because the fruits doesn't ship well, which makes it a hidden gem for homeowners. Pawpaw trees are super low in maintenance. They're disease and pest resistant. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil with partial shade to full sun. If you have a spot along a creek or at the edge of the woodline, it'll love it there. While they can grow on their own, planting 2 or more will ensure a good cross-pollination and fruit set. In early spring, the trees bloom with maroon flowers that are pollinated mostly by bees, beetles, and flies. Then late summer to fall, you'll start to notice a sweet custardy fruit that looks like it belongs on a tropical island coming on the tree. And if you're big into native landscaping like we are at TN Nursery, pawpaw leaves are the sole food source for the zebra, swallowtail, and butterfly calipeter, calipeter, I'm sorry, caterpillar. A big win for biodiversity. Here at Tia Nursery, we offer pawpaw trees ready to plant in your garden. They're native, resilient, and a great conversation piece. We offer a buy one, get one free sale, and we offer low shipping. Try one and taste and see what your great-grandparents might have picked wild from the woods. Thanks for watching. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our native selection of trees at tnursery.net, a DTC family-owned brand since 1959.