Pear (Pyrus communis) – UNAVAILABLE

Full sun. Zones 5-8.

 

Pears need good garden loam that is on the heavy side.  While they  prefer good drainage, they can tolerate heavy soil and poor drainage better than most other fruits.

 

European pears are long lived trees that have a strongly vertical form and can reach 30-40’ in height and 10-15’ in width. Annual pruning can help control their size.  They have a big show of white flowers in the spring, with fruit ripening in late summer through fall.

Pears can be susceptible to late spring frosts, so if possible, avoid planting in frost pockets.  For best flavor and keeping qualities, pick pears before they are fully ripe and allow them to ripen in storage.  While pears can be susceptible to the same pests and diseases as apples, our pear selections are resistant to fire blight, the most serious disease problem.  Thin fruits for best size fruits.

Most varieties need to be pollinated with another European pear. They will also cross-pollinate with Asian pears or ornamental pears blooming at the same time.

 

Full sized pear trees can be used for shade trees.  They do better than most fruit trees in lawns.  They can be used in orchards, as small street trees, to line a driveway as accent trees, or for espalier.

 

Pears! Eat them fresh, make pear butter, or extract their sugar for a sweetener.

Varieties include:

‘Moonglow’ – This upright growing pear, has yellow, medium to large fruit with crisp, sweet, and juicy flesh of excellent flavor that ripens early.  Good for fresh eating, canning, and cooking.

‘Orient’ –  These pears are large, with vigorous growth.  The fruit is large and yellow with a red blush.  The tasty white flesh is sweet and delicious.  Ripens early to mid season. Good for fresh eating, canning, and cooking.

‘Seckle’ 

$39.00 / 5 gal., $49.00 / 7 gal. (not all varieties available in all sizes)