Asimina triloba Overleese - Pawpaw

The Asimina triloba 'Overleese' is a small fruit tree with an exotic appearance that produces fruits resembling mangoes, with their green skin. They appear in September and October and have a sweet taste reminiscent of mangoes and bananas. Its slow growth and small size make it suitable for planting in any garden, even small ones. Fairly easy to cultivate, it thrives in neutral to acidic soil, not too dry in summer, and preferably in full sun.

The pawpaw tree is the only representative of the tropical Annonaceae family in temperate climates. Nine species are found in the United States, with Asimina triloba being the hardiest of all (extending as far south as Canada).
It is a small tree that grows slowly, with a well-branched and bushy appearance, reaching a height of 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) and a width of 2.50 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) over time. Its foliage is generally ovate or even pyramidal, on a relatively short trunk, sometimes even branching from the ground, giving it more the appearance of a large bush than a tree.

Asimina triloba 'Overleese' is a fairly old variety, selected in 1950 in the United States. It should be noted that the more recent variety Shenandoah is derived from a seedling of Overleese. Overleese produces an abundance of medium-sized fruits, weighing 250 to 300 grams, appearing either individually or in small groups of 3 to 5 on the previous year's branches. The fruits have a very tasty yellow pulp and contain few seeds. They appear in September and are usually ready to be harvested in October. Since this variety is not self-fertile, it is necessary to plant another variety of pawpaw tree nearby to allow for pollination and fruit production.
The nickname "northern mango" for the pawpaw tree comes from the evocative shape of the fruits, whose skin remains green when ripe, while the sweet flesh resembles the taste of mangoes and bananas (which is why it is sometimes also marketed as Indian banana or poor man's banana).
The fruits contain about ten large black seeds and should be harvested when the flesh becomes tender. They should be picked without force, and can even be collected from the ground. Afterwards, they should be consumed quickly (they only keep for a few days at room temperature) or stored in the fridge (for a maximum of 2 weeks).
With its delicious taste, the pawpaw tree also has high nutritional value (it is particularly rich in vitamins A and C). Americans consume it fresh or use it to make juice, sorbet, cakes, etc.

The large, narrow, single leaves, about 25 cm (10in) long, lazily hang towards the ground, giving it a characteristic appearance reminiscent of tropical areas. In autumn, they turn a bright yellow colour, which adds to the pawpaw tree's beauty. Its flowers, with 6 petals, form bell-shaped structures of a beautiful burgundy-purple colour in April-May. However, their modest size (3-4 cm (1-2in)) and their often isolated distribution on the branches offer limited attraction. They appear on old branches.
This variety can reach a height of 5 meters (16 feet) and a width of about 3 meters (10 feet), forming a small tree with an exotic appearance. It grows slowly and, although it can tolerate drought, it appreciates humidity for optimal growth. Therefore, it is recommended to water it during summer to facilitate its growth. Otherwise, its growth will be significantly slowed down. In most regions, it is best to plant it in full sun, although it can also tolerate partial shade in the south.
It is an easy plant to cultivate, as it is generally not attacked by insects or diseases and does not require much pruning. However, it can withstand pruning well if one wishes to limit its already modest size.

The Asimina triloba 'Overleese' will find its place in an urban garden, possibly near a wall that will protect it from strong winds. Its slow growth should not make us forget to leave enough space for its future development. Also, consider planting it in pairs to allow for cross-pollination and obtain fruits.
This fruit-bearing species can be the starting point for an exotic-inspired orchard, alongside a Costata Persimmon (Diospyros) 'Costata' with its shiny foliage and bright orange fruits appearing at the same time as those of the pawpaw tree. The Trifoliate Orange, a small hardy citrus tree, will also bring a tropical touch, as well as the Coolidge Feijoa, or Brazilian Guava, which is self-fertile but requires a climate that is not too cold for fruiting. A Sweet Lifeberry Goji Berry will complete this ensemble with its red berries and multiple nutritional properties.