Asimina triloba ‘Spilt Milk’

Habit

Southeastern Native - small to medium size deciduous tree with a very symmetrical branching outline. Broadly pyramidal when young, later becoming more spreading with a rounded crown. Unattended it can spread by root suckers to form multiple trunks but training as a single leader tree is the most common.

Foliage & Bark

Foliage: The large elliptical leaves are large, 6-12” long and slightly pendant. The medium to dark green color is irregularly splashed with generous amounts of bright white along with smaller patches of gray-white and lighter green. Almost all the newly emerging terminal shoots possess this trait which creates an outstanding display. The size and density of the foliage provides for decent shade and as a bonus it has no insect or disease issues, rare among fruit trees on both counts. Bark: No pertinent ornamental traits.

Flower & Fruit

Flower:
The 6 petal blooms are two-tiered, heavily textured and colored dark red to purple, April – May.

Fruit:
Large oblong fruits are yellow green maturing in early fall to a dark brown. The consistency and flavor are often referred to as custard-like and akin to bananas or mangos. They can be eaten raw, but best carry a knife and a spoon. Also used in ice cream and baked desserts. Asimina is not self-pollinizing so to enjoy decent fruit production other Asimina nearby would be a must.

Specifications

Special Notes

This selection should not be confused with another form simply referred to as ‘Variegata’. The latter, while true to its name is much more subtle and there is no comparison to Spilt Milk in its profusion of white colorations. ‘Spilt Milk’ is one of those extra rare ones that for a time was thought to be lost to the trade and only recently re-introduced.
Tolerant of wet and acidic soils, takes partial shade but grows more open. Attracts wildlife.