About

Asimina triloba is a shrub or small tree characterized by its oval leaves, which can grow as long as 30 cm and turn yellow in the fall. In late spring, it produces purple-brown, cup-shaped flowers that can reach 5 cm in diameter. These are succeeded by egg-shaped, edible fruits that can grow up to 12 cm long, initially yellow-green and maturing to a yellow-brown hue.

About the genus

Asimina consists of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and small trees characterized by their broad or narrow oval leaves. The flowers, which exhibit a purplish hue, give way to sweet, fleshy fruits that can be greenish or yellow in color.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Fruit Edible, Shrubs, Trees
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants
Native to
SE Canada to C & E USA

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in full sun in acid or neutral, moist but well-drained soil. Needs long, hot summers to become a tree and produce fruit, otherwise grow as a multi-stemmed shrub
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by layering in autumn, or root cuttings in winter
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free