Pyrus communis 'Winter Nelis' (D)

RHS Plant Profile
pear 'Winter Nelis'
Plants for pollinators
Fruit Edible Trees

A medium-sized, upright tree with small, narrow, shiny leaves and white blossom in spring. The small to medium, conical, fruit have pale yellowish-green skin, largely covered with russet. Flesh is greenish-white, juicy, sweet and flavoursome. Pick late autumn and use early to mid-winter. Not self-fertile, in pollination group 4; rather a weak tree producing heavy crops that benefit from thinning

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
Unresolved
Horticultural Group
Dessert pears are sweet and juicy and are best eaten picked fresh and raw

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 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

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)