Pyrus communis
Common pear, Garden pear
- Height × spread
- 5m – 15m × 2m – 7m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally all year, largest selection in Spring & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The garden pear tree is often grown for its ornamental value as well as edible fruit. Clouds of fluffy white blossom appear in April, attracting pollinators. The sweet fragrant teardrop fruit is harvested late summer and autumn. The green, red or yellow fruit is eaten straight from the tree, or made into desserts, it doesn't store well. Growing up to 10m tall, it can be trained to maximise fruit.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Brown, Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column, Oval
- Height
- 5m – 15m
- Spread
- 2m – 7m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural, Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
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
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
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.
Found in
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