About
This variable, upright, rounded or spreading shrub or small tree to 7m, with thorny branches and broadly oval, dark green foliage producing red, orange and yellow shades in autumn. Pink-edged, white blossom in mid- to late spring is followed by spherical green fruit, sometimes flushed with red, which is hard and inedible until it falls from the tree in late summer to early autumn, becoming softer and sweeter.
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, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees, Shrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope, W Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Will grow in chalky soil
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn, or by chip budding in late summer, or grafting in mid-winter
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)