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Fruit Edible

Pyrus communis 'Joséphine de Malines' (D)
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

pear 'Joséphine de Malines'

A dessert pear with a very rich, buttery and perfumed flavour. This cultivar needs a warm site. Crops are good and reliable and, though they bruise easily, fruit can be used from November through to December/January. Pollination group 3

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
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

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in a sunny position in moist, but well-drained soil. Flowers early and so at risk from spring frosts. Needs another cultivar for pollination. Keep a weed free area of 60cm radius around the trunk. Thin fruit if necessary

Propagation

Propagate by grafting or chip budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit; quince rootstocks are usually used. The rootstock used will affect plant size

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

As this cultivar is a tip bearer, it is best grown as a bush, not as a cordon or other restricted form. Prune in winter. Further pruning advice: pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees

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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