Pyrus communis (F)

RHS Plant Profile
common pear

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common pear RHS

Other common names

achras, choke pear, wild pear, coeden ellyg

Plants for pollinators
Fruit Edible Trees
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A large, columnar, occasionally thorny, deciduous tree with glossy, dark green leaves. Clusters of white flowers are produced in mid-spring, followed by edible, pear-shaped to spherical, green to yellow fruit up to 10cm long. Many cultivated varieties of pear have been developed from this species; the trees are generally smaller, and unlikely to be thorny

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Asia Minor.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Needs a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, fairly neutral soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Will not thrive on very acid soils, shallow chalk soils or with shade for more than half the day. See Pears or pear cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by grafting or budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit. Fruit grown from pips will not normally resemble the parent

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Edible fruit
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Thin fruit in late spring or early summer to improve size and quality. See fruit thinning. Regular pruning required; prune cordons and other restricted forms in summer and all trees in winter. Further pruning advice: pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees, pruning established fans

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, codling moth, pear blister mite, pear midge and pear and cherry slugworm

Diseases

May be susceptible to blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, pear scab, European pear rust and honey fungus (rarely)