Mespilus germanica
Medlar
- Height × spread
- 6m × 7m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This distinctive, small tree has large, leathery leaves, single, star-shaped, white flowers and long spines mixed up with the foliage. The fruits are the famous medlars, eaten when they are bletted, which means over-ripe or half-rotten, depending on your point of view. If you wish to eat it you don't pick it until it has reached this over-ripe stage. You can bake it, skin and all, and make the resultant squidge into preserves, medlar cheese or jelly; otherwise, eat it, skinned, as a dessert. The medlar is sometimes found in woodlands in the southern counties of England and was perhaps introduced by the Romans.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Orange-brown
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 6m
- Spread
- 7m
- Height in 10 years
- 4.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 4.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Reduce fruit to prevent branches breaking
Inspect the tree as fruit grows - reduce the numbers of fruit at the ends of branches to prevent branches breaking under their weight. This will also increase the size of remaining fruit. This is especially needed for young trees.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.