Pyrus communis 'Gorham' (D)

RHS Plant Profile
pear 'Gorham'
pear 'Gorham' Frank P Matthews
Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Fruit Edible Trees

A medium-sized, upright tree with shiny, oval, dark green leaves and white flowers in spring. Fruit is medium-sized, conical, pale green to yellow with variable russeting and fine, cream, sweet, juicy, aromatic flesh. A reliable, self-fertile variety, in pollination group 4. Fruit ripen in early autumn and store for a month or two

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 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
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Fruit
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
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
Accepted
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 grafting or budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit. Fruit grown from pips will not resemble the parent

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

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)