Pawpaw- Bigflower (Asimina obovata) (Florida Native)

Asimina obovata

The bigflower pawpaw, also known as the flag pawpaw and the scrub pawpaw, is one of the larger pawpaw varieties that grows in Florida and can grow up to 10 feet tall. This perennial plant displays large white flowers and green fruit that the wildlife love. Although edible, the fruit of A.obovata is mostly seeds, and can lean on the dry and bitter side, with a hint of mango and banana. There is also evidence that eating high quantities of fruit can be unhealthy. Do your own research.

     Native to Florida, the shrub has a deep taproot that loves our well draining sandy soil, and is adapted to regular fires and long periods of drought. A. Obovata loves full sun but can be grown in dappled light to partial shade. In fact, if transplanting, part shade is preferred to full sun until established. Larval host to the Zebra swallowtail butterfly and the pawpaw sphinx moth, this lovely fruit-producing shrub will surely add some fun pollinators to your garden.

This plant is what’s known as a deciduous plant.

Deciduous plants naturally shed their leaves in the fall and enter a dormant state for the winter. This is a critical survival strategy that allows the plant to conserve energy and rest its systems during the colder months. While the leaves fall away, the stems and root system remain alive and vital, waiting for the signal to wake up.

Contrary to some in the plant industry, we continue to sell our deciduous plants even when dormant in the winter because that is the best time to transplant. So yes, until spring emergence, you will be buying what looks like a stick in a pot. Rest assured, every plant's root system is thoroughly inspected before shipping.

     Just like everything else we sell, these plants are all organically grown in house. We do not use any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and blend our own potting soil from scratch based on each plant species' needs. Unlike other nurseries, we do not focus on the size of the plant, but rather the condition of the roots. We grow everything with your long-term success in mind, rather than what it will look like "on the shelf".