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Fruit EdibleTrees

Pyrus communis Benita ('Rafzas') (F)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

pear [Benita]

A cross between a European pear and an Asian pear, producing a medium-sized tree with white blossom in spring. The oval fruit resemble Asian pears, with golden-brown skin and crisp, sweet, juicy, white flesh. Generally fairly light cropping, they are ready to pick and eat in early autumn, storing for a month or two in the fridge. Not self-fertile, in pollination group 2

Synonyms
Pyrus communis 'Rafzas'
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green Brown
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
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

Trade

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

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding in late summer, or grafting in mid-winter, onto a clonal rootstock for pears. Fruit grown from pips is unlikely to resemble the parent

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Edible fruit
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Prune according to chosen training method. See pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees and 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)

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