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Kentucky Legend Pawpaw

England's Orchard Introductions

Kentucky Legend is a England's Orchard Introductions variety, bred by Cliff England, mid to late season.

Not the same variety as Kentucky Champion pawpaw, a separate Cliff England selection.

Flavor
Very good, similar to Sunflower, with a firm texture
Size
Very large, about 13 oz (360 g), largest reaching 25-28 oz (700-800 g)
Seed
Very fleshy (~4% seed by weight)
Ripening
Mid to late season
Productivity
Exhibits gigantism in the leaves and fruit; seeds appear sterile and the seed ratio is only about 3.5 percent by weight
Notes
Fruit can be picked several days before ripe and will finish ripening off the tree, and it keeps well without refrigeration; much of the crop ripens even at high elevation with limited heat units

What growers say

Kentucky Legend pawpaw is notable for gigantism: very large fruit averaging around 360 grams, with the biggest reaching 700 to 800 grams. The flavor is described as very good and similar to Sunflower, with a firm texture and unusually low seed. A practical strength is that the fruit can be picked several days early to finish off the tree and keeps without refrigeration. Detailed grower taste reports are still limited; it ripens mid to late season.

Where to buy Kentucky Legend pawpaw trees

Kentucky Legend pawpaw is sold out at both nurseries PawpawMap confirmed as of Oct 7, 2026. Grafted pawpaws sell out fast; get notified when it is back.

Get notified when Kentucky Legend is back in stock

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Nursery

England's Orchard and Nursery

McKee, KY

Grafted pawpaw trees are local pickup only. Also sells pawpaw seeds and scionwood; contact the nursery for what they will mail.

Nursery

Peaceful Heritage Nursery

Ships

Stanford, KY

Kentucky-grown grafted trees, seedlings, seed, and scionwood; licensed to propagate KSU cultivars.

Related cultivars

England's Orchard Introductions

Kentucky Champion

Very early season, the earliest-bearing commercial cultivar

Sweet with a subtle tartness likened to pineapple or raspberry; firm, golden-orange flesh with a melon note and a pleasant lingering aftertaste

England's Orchard Introductions

Tropical Treat

Early season, ripening mid-August in Kentucky

Tastes like mango with a hint of pineapple; widely regarded as one of the best-tasting pawpaws on the market

England's Orchard Introductions

Summer Delight

Very early season, ripening late July into early August, the first to ripen in the breeder's Kentucky orchard

Delicious, smooth-textured flesh with few seeds and a mild aftertaste

England's Orchard Introductions

Marshmallow

Mid season

Tropical melon-like flavor with a trace of banana; the sweetest of the three freestones

England's Orchard Introductions

Honeydew

Mid season

Tropical melon-like flavor that can taste similar to a honeydew melon, with a trace of banana

England's Orchard Introductions

Cantaloupe

Mid season

Tropical melon-like flavor that tastes as the name suggests, with a trace of banana

England's Orchard Introductions

Mango x Wabash

Early season, ripening late August to early September in Kentucky

Firm flesh with a strong yellow color break and a color similar to Wabash

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