About
A dessert pear, 2.5-8m tall depending upon the rootstock. Season of use: October to November. Pollination group 3; can set fruit without being pollinated. Flowers white, fruit green.
About the genus
Pyrus are deciduous trees or shrubs with oval leaves and scented white flowers in spring, followed by green or brown fruits, edible in some species
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationSuitable for all training forms. Flowers early and so at risk from spring frosts. Can set fruit without pollination, but tends to fruit better if cross pollinated by another cultivar. Keep a weed free area of 60cm radius around the trunk. Fruit thinning may be needed. See Pears or pear cultivation for further advice
PruningRegular pruning required; a spur bearer
PropagationPropagate by grafting or chip budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit; quince rootstocks are usually used. The rootstock used largely determine the size
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, codling moth, pear blister mite, pear midge and pear and cherry slugworm
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, pear scab, European pear rust and honey fungus (rarely)