I wasn’t a fan of Asian pears until I grew and picked my own Korean Giant. It was much better tasting than the ones from the grocery stores.
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Every site is different but as I grow Josephine de Malines, the “this variety should not be picked until the leaves fall” quote from ARS does not apply here. I have it grafted on two trees - scions from Corvallis. One graft is now 10 years old, is growing well and producing beautiful fruit but I have to pick the fruit in early Oct. They will start dropping soon thereafter and not ripen properly. The fruit go into my dedicated pear refrigerator set in the low 30s. I don’t get around to eating them until Dec. They will usually ripen in a few days. Later, in Jan. I can take them out of the refer, peel, and put them directly into the morning cereal or oats. The second was grafted in 2018 on a 3-year-old calleryana seedling along with 6 other varieties. It is by far the weakest growing variety of the 7 and had its first fruit in 2020. I finally planted a single variety tree yesterday…
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It would be interesting to compare maturity dates for various cultivars. USDA zones are not very good here due to the many microclimates. I think I’m really considered 8b rather than 8a. Anyway, I’m about 4 degrees colder on any given winter night than the official Santa Rosa temperature. I have friends about a 10 minute drive from here that rarely get below freezing - my low this winter was 24 in Jan.
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So ‘Shinsui’ has a butterscotch like flavor? How strong is that flavor?
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I went out to check my JdM graft. Judging from the size of the growth, it will be around 2035 before I could start hoping for fruit.
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@alanmercieca The flavor was very noticeable but I only got 1 fruit off a 2nd year tree to try last year. It has more flowers this year so I’ll be sure to update my opinions if the fruit hold.
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Carrick is not ripe yet. It has a nice red blush to it. Today August 21st it was still hard as a rock.
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The hybrids Daisui Li and Shin Li are very good.
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Also I have read that Daisui Li has a very long storage time. Still waiting for my 2016 graft to fruit.
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It really has to do with the rootstock. I grafted Daisui li on two different pear tree three years ago. One fruited last year (and this year). One still no sign of blooming.
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Shin Li, its sister, definitely has a very long storage time. I’ve kept them in the fridge into March, and they are still very crispy. I honestly think it got more flavorful while in storage.
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If I were younger I certainly would buy all of them, Clark and thanks for posting, what an effort and time, thanks.
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How’s that one doing for you? Nobody ever talks about “Gourmet,” but it does sound like a promising pear. Maybe it gets overlooked because of the rather generic name? Anyway, I’ve got some scions on order. Also noticed that Fedco is offering it this year.
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Has Richard Peters fruited yet for you Clark?
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I’m not sure I still have it I need to look I lost a bunch in a storm. It destroyed my pear trees! Most are recovered most of the way now but it broke some off below the union! Small trees like that were the worst. Citron de carmes was large and it broke it off half way up but it grew back quickly. Branches were shredded on some trees like Duchess D’ Angoulme and Douglas or Kieffer. Ayers did not lose a twig on any trees.
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Unfortunately fireblight hit me hard this year taking out dozens of experimental pears.
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Sorry to hear that. It has been a tough year for you.
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Actually it’s been a better year than last year. Let’s hope it gets much better from here.
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@clarkinks
Please consider posting an updated list of Pear cultivars that have survived the test of time, taste, and disease on your property.
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This website has a list of popular pears worth looking at
Abbe Fetel
5
Developed in France (1866)
Storage
• 2 months
Afflictions
• Susceptible to scab and fireblight.
Abbe Fetel is compatible with quince rootstock.
Arganche
Originated in Macedonia. Introduced to the US in 1960.
Zone
• 4
Ripens
• early
Growth
• semi-dwarf
Fruit
• 50g/fruit
Afflictions
• Resistant to scab.
Atlantic Queen
Zone
• 5
Ripens
• late?
Fruit
• up to 1.5 pounds
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Atlantic Queen can be a bland and astringent pear when grown in the wrong climate or location. It will likely require hot summers and full sun exposure.
Bartlett
Originated in Aldermaston, England (1765-1770).
Alias
• Williams
Zone
• 5 ◦ 500-600 chill hours
Blooms
• mid
Ripens
• mid (mid-late)
Storage
• 3 months
Afflictions
• Susceptible to fireblight.
Blake’s Pride
US446 x US505. Selected in Ohio (1977).
Zone
• 5 ◦ 800 chill hours
Ripens
• mid-late
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight. Somewhat resistant to scab.
Bosc
5
Originated in Belgium or France (early 1800s).
Zone
• 5a ◦ 500-600 chill hours
Ripens
• late
Color
• brown russet skin
Storage
• 6 months
Afflictions
• Susceptible to fireblight.
Comice
France (1849)
Zone
• 5 (4) ◦ 600 chill hours
Ripens
• late
Afflictions
• Susceptible to fireblight.
Conference
Originated in Hertfordshire, England, introduced in 1894.
Zone
• 5
Ripens
• very late
Afflictions
• Susceptible to fireblight.
Flemish Beauty
chance seedling. Originated in Belguim (1810).
Zone
• 4
Flowers
• partially self-fertile
Ripens
• late
Afflictions
• Somewhat susceptible to fireblight.
Gem
Sheldon x US62563-004 (US309 (US-Michigan 437 x Roi Charles de Waurtemburg) x US539). Selected in Beltsville, Maryland (1981).
Zone
• 4
Blooms
• mid
Ripens
• mid-late ◦ 1 week after Bartlett
• precocious
Storage
• 6 months
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
The flavor of Gem is mild and crisp off the tree, making it somewhat reminiscent of an Asian pear. Placing it in cold storage for at least three weeks will give it more flavor and allow it to soften.
Harrow Crisp
Bartlett x US56112-146. Selected in Harrow, Ontario (1979).
Ripens
• mid (mid-late)
• precocious
Storage
• short
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Harrow Crisp can be harvested over a period of 2 weeks, but the earlier they are picked, the longer they will store (for a maximum of 2 months).
Harrow Delight
4
Purdue 80-15 (Old Home x Early Sweet) x Bartlett. Selected in Harrow, Ontario (1973).
Zone
• 4 ◦ 800 chill hours
Blooms
• mid-late
Ripens
• mid? (early-mid) ◦ 2 weeks before Bartlett?
• precocious
Growth
• moderate vigor
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight and scab.
Harrow Gold
Harvest Queen x Harrow Delight. Introduced in Harrow, Ontario (2002).
Ripens
• mid ◦ 1.5 weeks before Bartlett
Storage
• 1.5 months
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Harrow Sweet
5
Bartlett x Purdue 80-51 (Old Home x Early Sweet). Selected in Harrow, Ontario (1980).
Zone
• 3b
Blooms
• mid ◦ shortly after Bartlett
Ripens
• late ◦ 3 weeks after Bartlett
• more precocious than most pear varieties
Growth
• moderate vigor
Storage
• up to 3 months (as long as it wasn’t picked too late)
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight. Resistant to scab?
Harrow Sweet is graft compatible with quince rootstock.
Harvest Queen
5
Michigan 572 x Bartlett. Selected in Harrow, Ontario (1972).
Ripens
• mid ◦ 1 week before Bartlett
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Highland
Bartlett x Comice. Developed in New York.
Zone
• 4?
Ripens
• late ◦ 3 to 4 weeks after Bartlett
Storage
• implied to store quite well, even without cold storage.
Afflictions
• Susceptible to fireblight.
Honeysweet
Seckel x US220 (Vermont Beauty x Roi Charles De Wurtenburg). Originated in Lafayette, Indiana (1957).
Zone
• 3b?
Flowers
• partially self-fertile
Ripens
• mid-late ◦ 1 week after Bartlett
Growth
• semi-dwarf
Storage
• stores well
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Honeysweet has a higher level of self-fertility than most European pears, but the fruit will be smaller without cross-pollination. It is often described as an improved “Seckel”, a parent of Honeysweet.
Hudar
parentage unknown, sibling of Nova. Originated in New York (1988).
Zone
• 2
Ripens
• early-mid?
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight.
Luscious
SD E31 x Ewart. Introduced in South Dakota (1973).
Zone
• 3b? (4)
Flowers
• pollen sterile
Ripens
• mid
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Magness
5
Seckel x Comice
Zone
• 5 ◦ 400 chill hours
Flowers
• pollen sterile
Ripens
• mid (mid-late) ◦ slow to bear
Growth
• very vigorous
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight (less so than its sibling ‘Warren’).
Resistant to scab?
Maxine
Ohio (1845)
Zone
• 5
Ripens
• mid-late
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Moonglow
US-Michigan 437 (Barseck x Bartlett) x Roi Charles de Waurtemburg
Zone
• 5 ◦ 400-500 chill hours
Ripens
• mid
• somewhat precocious?
Growth
• vigorous
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Moonglow produces poor quality fruit in the south.
Nova
parentage unknown, sibling of Hudar. Originated in Hammond, New York.
Zone
• 2
Ripens
• mid-late?
Growth
• low vigor?
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight and scab.
Perdue
Flowers
• double petal
Blooms
• early-mid
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Potomac
Moonglow (US-Michigan 437 x Roi Charles de Waurtemburg) x Beurre d’Anjou
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Rescue
Zone
• 5
Blooms
• mid (mid-late)
Ripens
• mid
Storage
• 2-3 months
Seckel
5
chance seedling. Seckel is believed to have originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before 1760. It was named and introduced in the early 1800’s.
Zone
• 4 ◦ 500 chill hours
Ripens
• late? (mid-late)
Growth
• semi-dwarf, 15-20ft tree on non-dwarfing rootstock
Fruit
• 1.5" W fruit
Storage
• does not store for long
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight.
Shenandoah
Max Red Bartlett x US56112-146 (US309 (US-Michigan 437 x Roi Charles de Waurtemburg) x OP). Selected in Kearneysville, West Virginia (1985).
Ripens
• late ◦ 4 weeks after Bartlett
• precocious?
Storage
• Shenandoah may store for up to 5 months. It is reported to be moderately acidic during the first 2 months.
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Southern Bartlett
bud mutation of Bartlett. Discovered in Abbeville, Louisiana around 1969.
Zone
• ◦ low chill
Blooms
• very early
Ripens
•
• precocious
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight (frequently gets a few mild strikes after bloom).
Southern Bartlett produces fruit that is fairly poor in quality.
Summer Blood Birne
believed to have originated in Germany
Zone
• 5
Color
• pink flesh
Afflictions
• Resistant to scab.
Warren
Seckel x Comice. Originated at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, introduced in 1976.
Zone
• 5a (4) ◦ 600 chill hours
Ripens
•
• slow to bear
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Like the other varieties labeled as “highly resistant”, Warren can survive fireblight in the deepest parts of the south where its sibling ‘Magness’ may struggle.
Warren can take nearly a decade to start producing on standard rootstocks.
Asian Pears: Pyrus pyrifolia
varieties in this section generally share these traits (unless stated otherwise)
Asian pears bloom earlier than European pears, and they may not overlap. However, they produce smaller trees and begin bearing much sooner. Resistance to fireblight and pseudomonas are often required for survival, but I do not recall hearing about scab or psylla being a nuisance. Pseudomonas seems to generally occur on the first 2 feet of the tree, so grafting more susceptible varieties fairly high may help protect the tree.
Atago
may be a cross between Nijisseiki and Imamura Aki
Zone
• 4b
Blooms
• ◦ extended bloom
Ripens
• late
Color
• brown russet skin
Chojuro
5
chance seedling. Japan (1895).
Zone
• 5a (4b)
Ripens
• late
Color
• brown russet skin
Afflictions
• Resistant to scab and alternaria spot.
Susceptible to fireblight.
Hosui
4
(Kikusui x Yakumo) x Yakumo. Selected in Japan 1963.
Zone
• 4b ◦ 300-400 chill hours
Ripens
• mid-late ◦ roughly 1 week after Shinseiki
Color
• brown russet skin
Fruit
• up to 350g
Storage
• up to 3 months if harvested a little early
Afflictions
• Resistant to scab and alternaria spot.
Susceptible to fireblight and pseudomonas.
The flavor of Hosui is considered to be quite good in hot summer climates, but it may produce fruit of moderate quality, with a more pronounced tartness, when grown elsewhere.
Ichiban Nashi
Asahi x Kitsukawasei. Selected in Japan 1969.
Zone
• 4b ◦ 400 chill hours
Ripens
• mid
Color
• brown russet skin
Afflictions
• Resistant to alternaria spot.
Susceptible to fireblight. Somewhat susceptible to pseudomonas.
Kikusui
Taihaku x Nijisseiki. Introduced in Japan (1927).
Zone
• 4b ◦ 500 chill hours
Ripens
• mid-late
Color
• yellow skin
Afflictions
• At least Somewhat resistant to fireblight.
Korean Giant
5
Chojuro x Cheongsilri. Released in South Korea (1969).
Alias
• Dan Bae, Olympic, Arirang
Zone
• 5a (4a)
Blooms
• mid
Ripens
• very late ◦ roughly 2 weeks after Ya Li
Color
• brown russet skin
Fruit
• fruit can weigh well over 1lb
Storage
• stores well, even outside of the refrigerator
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Kosui
Kikusui x Wasekozo. Released in Japan (1959).
Ripens
• mid ◦ a few days after Shinsui and Ichiban Nashi
Color
• brown russet skin
Afflictions
• Resistant to alternaria spot and scab.
Susceptible to fireblight and pseudomonas.
Mishirasu
Discovered in Hokkaido, Japan (1887), but it may have originated in China.
Zone
• 5a (4b)
Ripens
• late
Color
• brown russet skin
Fruit
• up to 1lb
Nijisseiki
chance seedling. Japan (1888).
Alias
• 20th Century
Zone
• 4b ◦ 300-400 chill hours
Ripens
• mid-late
• biennial bearing
Color
• yellow skin
Storage
• 5 months
Afflictions
• Resistant to pseudomonas.
Susceptible to scab and fireblight.
Raja
Zone
• 4b ◦ no damage after -22F
Color
• brown russet skin
Afflictions
• Raja is supposedly disease resistant. This may be referring to fireblight. I have seen it get pseudomonas on the first 1 to 2.5 feet of a young tree that looked quite severe, but it apparently shook it off both times (update: the tree never came out of dormancy the year after). Pseudomonas killed ‘Shinsui’ (grafted within this range) on its first attempt (Shinsui grafted ~4 feet high never got it).
Raja ripens well in cool summer climates.
Seuri
Originated in China?
Zone
• 5a (4b)
Ripens
• very late
Color
• brown russet skin
Storage
• roughly 1 month
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Seuri supposedly has a unique flavor.
Shinko
4
Nijisseiki x ? (possibly Waseaka or Amanogawa). Japan (1941).
Zone
• 5a ◦ 450 chill hours
Ripens
• very late ◦ roughly 1 or 2 weeks before Korean Giant
Color
• brown russet skin
Fruit
• up to 1lb
Storage
• 3 or 4 months
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight. Resistant to pseudomonas.
Shinko requires a hot climate to fully develop its flavor. While other Asian pears have this problem as well, Shinko seems to be the most consistent offender.
Shinseiki
3
Nijisseiki x Chojuro. Released in Japan (1945).
Alias
• New Century
Zone
• 4a? ◦ 250-400 chill hours
Ripens
• mid-late ◦ roughly 1 week before Hosui
• precocious
Color
• yellow skin
Afflictions
• Less susceptible to fireblight and pseudomonas than some others?
Asian pears are known for being quite precocious, especially when they are compared to European pears, but Shinseiki may be able to produce as soon as the year after planting.
Shinsui
Kikusui x Kimizuka Wase. Selected in Japan (1956).
Zone
• 4b
Ripens
• mid
Color
• brown russet skin
Fruit
• 8oz/fruit
Storage
• 1 to 1.5 months (short)
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight?
At least Somewhat susceptible to pseudomonas.
Yakumo
Akaho x Nijisseiki
Zone
• 4b
Ripens
• early-mid? (mid)
Color
• yellow skin
Yoinashi
3
Zone
• 5a (4b)
Color
• brown russet skin
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to pseudomonas and fireblight.
Pyrus x bretschneideri
Daisui Li
Kikusui (P. Pyrifolia) x Tsu Li (P. bretschneideri). California (1985).
Zone
• 4? (5)
Ripens
• late
Fruit
• up to 1lb
Storage
• 6 months
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight.
Shin Li
Kikusui (A) x Tsu Li (P. bretschneideri). California 1988. P#6076
Zone
• 4? (5)
Ripens
• late
Storage
• 6 months
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight?
Tsu Li
Pyrus x bretschneideri. Originated in the Shantung Province of northeastern China.
Zone
• 5 ◦ 300 chill hours
Blooms
• early-mid?
Ripens
• very late
Storage
• Tsu Li can store for over 6 months and should be stored for some time before eating.
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight.
Ya Li
Pyrus x bretschneideri. Originated in China.
Zone
• 4? (5) ◦ 200-300 chill hours
Blooms
• early-mid?
Ripens
• late (very late) ◦ roughly 4 weeks after Nijisseiki and 2 weeks before Korean Giant
Afflictions
• Somewhat resistant to fireblight.
European x Asian
Ayers
Garber (A x E) x Anjou (E). Originated in Tennessee, introduced in 1954.
Zone
• ◦ 600 chill hours
Flowers
• pollen sterile
Blooms
• mid
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Early Gold
Ure (P. Ussuriensis x P. Communis) x ?
Zone
• 2
Ripens
• mid? ◦ 1.5 weeks before Ure
Early Gold is an improved seedling of ‘Ure’.
Garber
P. pyrifolia x P. communis. Originated in Pennsylvania (before 1880).
Ripens
• mid-late (late) ◦ 1-2 weeks before Kieffer
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Golden Boy
P. communis x P. pyrifolia. Wakulla County, Florida.
Zone
• ◦ low chill
Blooms
• early
Ripens
•
• precocious
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Goldenboy may be an improved seedling or bud sport of LeConte. It is also quite similar to Fan Stil.
Keiffer
Bartlett (E) x ? (A)
Zone
• 5 ◦ 200-300 chill hours
Blooms
• early-mid
Ripens
• late
• precocious
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight (frequently gets a few mild strikes after bloom).
Kieffer has issues with mislabeling.
LeConte
P. communis x P. pyrifolia
Zone
• ◦ 250-300 chill hours
Blooms
• early
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
There are possibly two ‘LeConte’ pears, one of which is supposedly similar to Kieffer and the other similar to Golden Boy and Fan Stil. The latter appears to be more common.
Maxie
Nijisseiki (A) x Max Red Bartlett (E)
Zone
• 5
Blooms
• early-mid
Ripens
• late? (mid-late)
Afflictions
• Resistant to scab.
Ooharabeni
? (A) x Max Red Bartlett (E)
Ripens
• mid-late
Orient
P. communis x P. pyrifolia. Introduced in Chico, California (1945).
Zone
• ◦ 350 chill hours
Blooms
• early-mid
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Patten
Orel 15 x Anjou. Selected in Iowa around 1915.
Zone
• 3 (2)
Ripens
• mid-late
Afflictions
• Resistant to scab.
Somewhat susceptible to fireblight.
Southern King
Tennessee (E) x Hosui? (A). Harris County, Texas.
Zone
• ◦ 600 chill hours
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Spalding
Pineapple? x unknown. Selected in Georgia (1957).
Zone
• ◦ 350 chill hours
Flowers
• partially self-fertile
Ripens
• mid-late
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Spalding is crunchy like an asian pear.
Sunrise
75% P. communis x 25% P. pyrifolia?
Ripens
• mid (early-mid) ◦ 2 weeks before Bartlett
Storage
• 3 months
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight and scab.
Tennosui
Tennessee (E) x Hosui? (A). Harris County, Texas.
Zone
• ◦ 550-600 chill hours
Afflictions
• Highly resistant to fireblight.
Ure
P. ussuriensis x P. communis. Manitoba 1978.
Zone
• 3a
Ripens
• mid-late?
Afflictions
• Resistant to fireblight?
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