🌿 Native Plant of the Week: Pawpaw⁠ (Asimina triloba, Zones 4–8)⁠ ⁠ Tropical vibes, woodland roots.⁠ ⁠ Pawpaw trees may look like they belong in the rainforest—with their big, droopy leaves and mango-sized fruit—but they’re native to the understory of eastern North America, from Florida to Ontario. ⁠ ⁠ Why grow it?⁠ • Spring brings burgundy, bell-shaped flowers⁠ • Fall leaves turn buttery yellow⁠ • Host plant for zebra swallowtail butterflies⁠ • Produces custard-like fruit that tastes like banana-meets-mango⁠ ⁠ A few things to know:⁠ • You’ll need two trees for fruit (cross-pollination is a must)⁠ • Flowers attract flies + beetles (but don’t worry, the “smell” is subtle)⁠ • Fruit ripens late summer to fall and was a staple for Indigenous people and European colonists.⁠ • Cultivars like ‘Sunflower’ and ‘Susquehanna’ offer better fruit for home growers⁠ • Some people have allergic reactions to the fruit—start slow if it’s your first time⁠ ⁠ Not common in gardens, but definitely worth di...