Boone Farm Pawpaw Seeds (Asimina triloba)
Large-fruited, northern-adapted seed source! Our Boone Farm Pawpaw seeds come from trees successfully grown in Michigan that produce delicious fruit before the first fall frost. These cold-hardy parent trees offer promising genetics for growers in colder climates!
Also called the "Michigan Banana," Pawpaw produces North America's largest native edible tree fruit. This beautiful small tree bears delectable, tropical-tasting fruits in the fall. The flesh is creamy, light yellow, and custard-like, with a sweet flavor reminiscent of banana, mango, and vanilla.
We love to eat Pawpaws straight off the tree (don't eat the skin or seeds). They're also fabulous served with contrasting tart fruits such as fall red raspberries or currants. Pawpaw pulp can be preserved by freezing.
Pawpaw trees grow in full sun to part shade, although young seedlings benefit from shade during their first year or two. They're relatively deer-resistant (but protect young trees), can grow near black walnut trees, and thrive in USDA Zones 5–8. Plant at least two genetically different trees for cross-pollination and fruit production.
Pawpaw's native range extends across much of the eastern United States, from southern Michigan and Ontario south to the Gulf Coast. Michigan is home to some outstanding northern-adapted Pawpaw selections, prized for their large, delicious fruit and ability to ripen in our shorter growing season.
These seeds come from our friend Marc Boone, who has been growing Pawpaws since 1986! Marc's collection includes many grafted trees of selected varieties, along with seedlings and some local trees of wild origin. Most produce large, delicious fruit. His diverse collection of northern-grown trees is a valuable source of Pawpaw genetics adapted to Michigan's climate.
Because Pawpaws do not grow true to seed, individual seedlings will vary in fruit size, flavor, cold hardiness, and ripening time. Their northern-grown parentage makes these seeds especially interesting for growers seeking early-ripening, cold-hardy Pawpaws.
Pawpaws are listed on the Slow Food Ark of Taste.
If Boone Farm Pawpaw seeds sell out, we may substitute our Nature & Nurture Select Pawpaw seeds, which also come from large-fruited, northern-adapted parent trees.
SEEDS ONLY AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
PLANT IN FALL (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER). Keep seeds moist until planting. Seeds require a period of cold, moist stratification to germinate. Do not allow seeds to dry out or freeze in storage.
Approximately 320 seeds per pound.
