Pears are very ornamental trees, bearing attractive spring blossom and gorgeous autumn colour, and the addition of delicious home-grown pears is a bonus.
Grown onto rootstocks of varying sizes, pear trees can easily be grown in smaller spaces and containers – look out for dwarf fruit trees, which are suitable for smaller spaces – and don’t require much maintenance. There’s also a wonderful range of pear cultivars to grow, offering far more choice and flavour than you can find in a supermarket.
How to grow pearsGrow pears in moist but well-drained soil in full-sun to partial shade. Prune fan- and espalier-trained pears in summer and standard pears in winter. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.
More on growing pears:
For best results grow pear trees against a south-facing wall or fence, where they’ll be protected from frost. Soil should well-drained and tending towards acidic with a pH of 6.5. Pear trees can be grown as standalone specimens, if space allows, or trained as espaliers or cordons.
Like apple trees, many varieties of pear rely on a pollinating partner from the same group. It’s therefore best to plant two pear trees to ensure they pollinate successfully and also to encourage good healthy cropping.
How to plant a pear treePlant bare-root pear trees when dormant, between November and March, and potted pear trees at other times of year. Dig a square-shaped hole so the roots spread out evenly into the surrounding soil, and top-dress with a generous mulch of well-rotted manure.
How to care for pear treesPear blossom appears in early spring, so watch out for frosts and protect
Read more on gardenersworld.com