Pear, European Pear (Pyrus communis)

Pear, European Pear
Scientific Name: Pyrus communis L.
Synonym:
Family: Rosaceae
Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: All zones
USDA: 5-8

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Unknown in the wild, maybe a cultivated form of Pyrus caucasia and/or Pyrus nivalis
Growth Habits: Deciduous tree, pyramidal shaped, up to 30 to 40 feet tall (9-12 m), except when grafted on dwarfing rootstock
Watering Needs: Regular water
Propagation: T-budded or chip budded, quince rootstock are generally dwarfing, but sometimes require double budding

Selected Varieties

Variety Zones
(Sunset) Season Maturity Zone 13 Remarks Self-Fertile

Bartlett 1-11,14-18 Mid Large fruit with golden yellow color, one of the best pears. Green at picking. Needs pollenizer for better production. Susceptible to fire blight.

Bosc 1-11,14-18 Mid Medium to large fruit - long tapering neck, darkly russeted. Stores well. Susceptible to fire blight.

Flordahome 2-23 Early 6/15-7/15 Medium size fruit with thin green skin. Very nice quality, white flesh,sweet, smooth-textured, juicy, flavorful. Early bloom. Partially self-fruitful, better with pollenizer. Hood is best pollenizer. Chilling requirement less than 300 hours. Recommended for the low deserts. x

Hood 2-23 Early Large, smooth fruit with buttery texture. Good pollenizer for Floridahome. Chilling requirement less than 300 hours.

Kieffer, Keiffer 2-23 Early 6/15-7/15 Fair quality, hard fruit containing grit cells. Needs pollenizer. Medium to large late season fruit. Canning/cooking. Sprightly flavor, coarse texture. Resists fireblight, tolerates hot climates. Dependable crops. Chilling requirement 350 hours. Recommended for the low deserts. x

LeConte 2-23 Early High quality, low chill pear. Needs cross pollination.

Orient 2-23 Early Very large fruit with white flesh. Very vigorous tree. Fire blight resistant.

Red Sensation 1-11,14-18 Mid Red Bartlett. White, juicy, tender flesh. Chilling requirement 900 hours.

Seckel 1-11,14-18 Mid Small reddish green fruit. Dense an flavorful flesh. Fire blight and pear scab resistant.

Surecrop 1-11,14-18 Mid Small reddish brown fruit. Dessert quality.
Source: University of Arizona: Cooperative Extension

Blooming Habits:
White flowers.

Fruiting Habits:

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