About
Flowers white, foliage red in spring, fruit dark red with a good flavour. A red-skinned sport of 'Williams' Bon Chrétien', suitable for dessert or culinary use, growing 2.5-8m tall depending upon the rootstock. Partially self-fertile; pollination group 3. Season of use mid- to late September.
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 pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
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. Flowers early and so at risk from spring frosts. Thin fruit in late spring or early summer to improve size and quality. See Pears or pear cultivation for further advice
PruningRegular pruning required; a spur bearer. 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 chip budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit; quince rootstocks are usually used. The rootstock used will largely determine the vigour
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)