About
Mespilus germanica is a small tree or large shrub that has a spreading growth habit. Its elongated leaves change to a yellow-brown hue in the fall. In late spring, it produces white flowers measuring about 5 cm in diameter, which are succeeded by brown fruit that also reaches approximately 5 cm in size.
About the genus
Mespilus is a compact, spreading deciduous tree or substantial shrub featuring broad leaves that display vibrant colors in the fall. It produces white flowers that give way to edible fruits.
Growing conditions
- 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
- Plant type
- Fruit Edible, 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, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Europe, Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun. Wait to collect fruit until after frost. For more details see medlar cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or chip budding in late summer or by grafting
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility. May also be susceptible to quince leaf blight, brown rot and powdery mildews