About
Pyrus communis (F), the common pear, is a large, columnar, occasionally thorny, deciduous tree with glossy, dark-green leaves. Clusters of white flowers are produced in mid-spring, followed by edible, pear-shaped to spherical, green to yellow fruit up to 10 cm long. The primary parent of most cultivated fruiting pear varieties � grown both ornamentally and productively in a sunny, well-drained garden.
About the genus
Pyrus, the pears, are deciduous trees or shrubs with oval to lance-shaped leaves and clusters of white or pink, five-petalled flowers in spring, followed by green or brown, often edible, pear-shaped to spherical fruits. Popular ornamental and fruiting trees.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens
Native toEurope, Asia Minor.
Care notes
CultivationNeeds a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, fairly neutral soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Will not thrive on very acid soils, shallow chalk soils or with shade for more than half the day. See Pears or pear cultivation for further advice
PruningThin fruit in late spring or early summer to improve size and quality. See fruit thinning. Regular pruning required; prune cordons and other restricted forms in summer and all trees in winter. Further pruning advice: pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees, pruning established fans
PropagationPropagate by grafting or budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit. Fruit grown from pips will not normally resemble the parent
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)