Pear

Pear (Pyrus communis)

It is hardy to zone 4, and it is in flower from Apr to May. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. The flavour ranges from rather harsh and astringent (cultivars used for making alcoholic drinks ie Perry) through to soft, sweet and very juicy. The best dessert fruits have an exquisite sweet flavour, usually with a very soft flesh, whilst cooking varieties have harder less sweet flesh.

Prefers a good well-drained loam in full sun. Grows well in heavy clay soils. There are many named varieties that can provide fruit from late July to April or May of the following year.