Overview
Mespilus is a bushy, spreading branched fruit edible in the genus Mespilus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Mespilus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and edible fruit.
About
Mespilus, commonly known as medlar, is a compact, spreading deciduous tree or substantial shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. It features broad leaves that turn vibrant colours in autumn and produces white flowers in spring, followed by edible fruits in summer. This bushy, spreading-branched plant thrives in fertile, well-drained soils such as chalk, clay, loam, or sand, and can grow in full sun or partial shade with various soil pH levels. Suitable for city gardens, cottage gardens, and wildlife areas, it is hardy to UK zone H6 and can be propagated by seed, chip budding, or grafting.
About the genus
Mespilus, commonly called medlar, is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae containing the single species Mespilus germanica of southwest Asia. It is also found in some countries in the Balkans, especially in Albanian, Macedonian and Bulgarian regions, and in Azerbaijan and Caucasian Georgia. A second proposed species, Mespilus canescens, discovered in North America in 1990, proved to be a hybrid between M.
Wikipedia contributors, "Mespilus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Mespilus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Mespilus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Mespilus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Fruit Edible, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Edible fruit
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Mespilus
- Propagation
- Seed sown in a seedbed in autumn, Chip budding in late summer, Grafting
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus, Quince leaf blight, Brown rot, Powdery mildews
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Mespilus?
Mespilus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Mespilus need?
Mespilus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Mespilus hardy in the UK?
Mespilus has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Mespilus?
Seed sown in a seedbed in autumn, Chip budding in late summer, Grafting.