PEARS - VARIETIES

(T) JARGONELLE

A very hardy old cultivar which is very early to mature - pick from the tree in August and ripen indoors for just a few days before eating. The small greenish brown fruits have an excellent flavour. Scab resistant, and very hardy.

(C) CONCORDE

A new variety, raised by the Institute of Horticultural Research, East Malling. Concorde is a superb, very heavy cropping variety, with a flavour to match the quality of the fruits. Raised from a cross between Conference and Doyenne du Comice, Concorde has inherited the reliability and easy growth of Conference with the influence of Doyenne to give a beautiful flavour. The fruits are medium to large, light green turning pale yellow as they ripen. The sweet. juicy flesh has a very good texture. Concorde is even more precious in its cropping than its parent, Conference. In trials at the National Fruit Trials, Brogdale. the yield has been nearly double that of its parents, Conference and Doyenne. More impressive is the quality of the fruit. 80% have been graded Class 1. The fruits are ready for picking late October and store well until January. With its very heavy yield, superb quality and beautiful flavour, Concorde is, without doubt, a perfect garden variety. Pollinate with: Conference, Williams or Doyenne du Comice. Concorde is, itself, a very good pollinator for other varieties. Very highly recommended. Makes an ideal compact tree. Probably only 7' tall after 5 years. Concorde is now proving self fertile setting a good crop on its own.

(C) DR JULES GUYOT

A very early variety, that is ready for picking just after mid August for eating from late August onwards. An easy to grow variety with compact, upright growth, producing yellow fruits with a slight flush. Very juicy, tender flesh, with a sweet flavour. Ideal pollinators include: Conference, Durondeau, Fertility, Williams, Beth etc. Dr Jules Guyot is, itself, a very good pollinator for other varieties.

(C) MOONGLOW

A new addition to our lists, Moonglow is a very attractive pear with a bright lemon-yellow skin. Ready for picking in August and use through September, the flavour is similar to Williams with the soft, exceedingly juicy, flesh having a sweet, musky, lightly perfumed flavour. Suitable pollinators include: Beth, Packhams Triumph, Concorde, Williams etc.

(C) WILLIAMS BON CHRETIEN

The most universally grown pear. Ready for picking from September. The medium sized fruit is bright yellow with patches of russet and occasional red streaks on the sun exposed side. The white, creamy flesh is juicy with a very characteristic musky flavour. The trees are moderately vigorous, somewhat spreading and regular croppers. Suitable pollinators are: Conference, Onward, Improved Fertility, Dr Jules, Concord etc.

(C) SENSATION

A pear which has an almost entirely red skin finish which is extremely attractive. Derived from Williams, it has the same, very sweet and juicy flavour, in fact perhaps even better! Uniquely, the new growths are shiny coppery red making this a fruit tree attractive enough to be planted as an ornamental garden specimen. Very different and desirable. Pollinate with Conference, Concord, Beth etc. Australia 1940.

(B) INVINCIBLE

NEW Truly Invincible by name and nature, a pear which will never let you down! You have never known a pear like it! The reason Invincible is so reliable is because, uniquely it produces 2 sets of blossom. So, during late frost years it will still produce a crop, when every other pear tree around is barren! The further advantage of this is that, if late frosts do not occur, Invincible will set 2 separate crops which then mature over a very long picking period. It is not unusual for Invincible to he harvested from the lst week of September to the 2nd week of October, and in storage they last and last, until February and beyond! Simply place the fruits in a fridge and take them out a few days before you wish to enjoy them. At first the fruits are crisp and juicy, but when allowed to ripen fully the flesh becomes succulent and tender, and at all times is blessed with a sweet and very more-ish flavour! The skin colouring is a rich and clean looking emerald green, yellowing slightly when fully ripe. The shape is very even with a high percentage of class 1 fruits, the effect of all these perfect large, vibrant pears is of so many huge emerald droplets clustered on the branches! You will never have known a pear like it.

Invincible - a triumph in breeding ultra hardy pears for English gardens. Highly recommended. Named and introduced by Chris Bowers & Sons. Price: Please add £1.00 to the price of each tree of Invincible ordered. A limited number of trees are available for despatch. Early ordering strongly advised.

(C) CLAPPS FAVOURITE

A very fertile and hardy variety with handsome yellow fruits that are flushed scarlet. Good upright growth. Picked and eaten in September. Pollinators include: Onward, Beth, Concorde etc.

(C) ONWARD

For picking mid September to early October. Raised at the National Fruit Trials by a cross between LaxIon Superb and Doyenne du Comice. The medium to large fruits are yellowish green with variable patches of brown russet and a pinkish red flush. The flesh is creamy white, juicy and superbly melting with an excellent flavour. The trees are vigorous and upright spurring freely. Suitable pollinators are: Williams, Conference, Improved Fertility, Glou Morceau etc.

(B) CANNOCK

A useful new addition to our lists, Cannock is a small pale green-yellow pear which is ready for picking in September and use until December. It has a number of uses, including bottling, stewing and juice, but also as a dessert fruit if stored for long enough.

(C) BETH

A very exceptional variety from East Malling Research Station. An early dessert eating variety with excellent texture and the most beautiful flavour. Medium size fruits for picking September through to October. Keeps well for an early variety. The texture of the fruits, with their white melting flesh and excellent flavour, has assured Beth of outstanding popularity. A very regular and heavy cropper. Pollinators include: Conference, Onward, Louise Bon de Jersey, Concorde etc. Highly recommended. All trees £1.00 extra to normal price.

(T) MERTON PRIDE

Selected for the perfect flavour. The conical fruits are medium to large and pale green with a brown russet. They are ready for picking mid to late September. The fruits produced are of an exceptionally high quality with a creamy-white, firm juicy flesh. Merton Pride is a triploid variety, so will need to be pollinated with two other varieties of which the choice is wide. Ideal pollinators include: Williams Bon Chretien, Beth, Concorde, Conference, Improved Fertility Gorham and Onward.Highly recommended. All trees £1 extra to normal price.

(C) ROBIN

Every season we are in receipt of so many requests to bud this very old variety specifically for customers who know it, we have decided to add it to our lists and this Season we are pleased to announce it is available ex-stock. It originated from Norfolk and is a fairly small fruit maturing in mid September and for use throughout October. Despite its name it is not always very highly coloured but it has an excellent flavour and normally crops well.

(C) GORHAM

Again selected for the exciting flavour. A popular sweet, musky flavour from the white and tender, melting flesh. Small to medium sized fruits that are pale yellow with a light russet. Good, upright growth. Ready for picking from mid September onwards, the fruits should be kept for about 5 days before eating which will improve the flavour even further. Pollinate with Beth, Onward, Conference or Williams etc. Gorham is a superb pollinator for other varieties.

(B) FONDANT D'AUTOMNE

A small spreading tree with beautiful red Autumn leaves and moderately sized smooth skinned olive green Pears Maturing from late September, they have a much coveted perfumed soft tender and juicy flesh. Yields well, a rare and valuable little pear.

(T) PITMASTON DUCHESS

For picking at the end of September and eating throughout October and November. Strong, upright growth and a regular heavy crop. A large pear that is pale yellow with a slight russet at the stem. Good flavour, tender, sweet and juicy. This variety is dual purpose. Pollinate with: Doyenne du Comice, Glou Morceau, Improved Fertility, Onward, Winter Nellis, Gorham or Conference.

(C) BRISTOL CROSS

For eating late September and October. White, sweet flesh with a good flavour. A good crop from a tree with moderate, upright growth. Not a good pollinator for other varieties.

(A) LOUISE BONNE DE JERSEY

For picking early October, the large dessert fruits are yellow/green with pronounced red f lush. The delicious flesh is sweet and melting. A regular copper with strong, upright growth. The blossom is fairly frost tolerant and extremely beautiful in flower. A superb dessert pear, very fertile. One of the best pollinators is Conference.

(B) CONFERENCE

For picking mid October and eating until late November but, with good storage, this variety will keep much longer. The medium sized fruits are long, dark green, changing to yellow-green with a brown russet. The flesh is creamy white and sometimes has a slightly pinkish tinge. The pleasant flavour is juicy and sweet. A very regular and heavy cropper that is partially self fertile, so if you are growing only one variety, this is the one for you. The trees are moderately vigorous, upright and fairly compact. Although self fertile, pollinators always improve the quality of the crop. Suitable pollinators are.. Onward, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Beth, Durondeau, Invincible etc.

(C) IMPROVED FERTILITY

Season October. A very heavy crop from a tree that has good disease resistance. The medium sized fruits are very sweet and juicy for dessert, with an excellent, melting texture. A dual purpose variety that can also be used for cooking and bottling. Self fertile, so ideal for the one tree garden as a good crop is produced with no pollinators. Grows well everywhere. For the very best results, pollinate with: Conference, Onward, Winter Nellis, Doyenne du Comice, Du Jules, Gorham etc.

(A) PACKHAMS TRIUMPH

For harvesting mid October and eating November and December. A most beautiful clear yellow pear, ripening with an orange flush. Outstanding for flavour, the sweet, juicy, tender flesh simply melts away. Compact, upright growth. Pollinate with Louise Bonne de Jersey, Conference, Durondeau etc.

(B) DURONDEAU

For eating October and November. The fruits are golden yellow with a red-brown russet. A popular eating variety and a very good flavour. Very fertile and ideal compact growth for the smallest garden. The fruits have the advantage of storing well. Durondeau is self fertile. For the best results, pollinate with: Louise Bonne de Jersey, Doyenne du Comice, Josephine, Beth, Conference Williams, Concorde or Gorham.

(B) BEURRE HARDY

Season mid to late October. Pick when the fruits are hard and ripen in store. Medium to large fruits that have a good, sweet flavour. The flesh is white and juicy. A strong growing tree that is sometimes slow to come into bearing. Pollinators include: Conference, Onward, Beth, Improved Fertility etc. Hardy and reliable.

(C) DOYENNE DU COMICE

For picking and eating in late October/November and keeping into December or longer if stored, but this pear is so delicious there are unlikely to be any left for storing. The fruits are large, golden yellow, with some russetting and red flush. The creamy white, melting flesh is juicy with a superb rich flavour. An eating sensation. The trees are vigorous and fairly upright, preferring a warm and sheltered site. Given good pollinators this variety crops regularly and yields are good, ideal for a south wall or training as a cordon. Ideal pollinators are: Conference, Beth, Williams, Gorham, Dr Jules, Concord etc. Use two of these for the very best results. Gorham is especially good.

(C) GLOU MORCEAU

For picking late October and storing for eating in December/January. A medium sized fruit that is green and turns to yellow when ripe in store. Very fertile and very reliable. An excellent flavourful storing variety. Excels in full sun. Pollinators include: Onward, Williams Bon Chretien, Beth, Winter Nellis etc.

(C) NOUVEAU POITOU

A relatively recent introduction which may be enjoyed throughout November from storage and sometimes longer. Although a fairly compact tree it is heavy cropping, producing large chartreuse fruits partly covered by beautiful golden russet. Scab resistance and outstanding, rich and juicy flavour continue to make an excellent variety

(C) WINTER NELLIS

The fruit should be harvested in late October or early November and stored for eating November, December and January. First class fruits have been enjoyed even as late as March. To enjoy the fruits at their best, eat while they are still yellow and before they turn red. The fruits are medium sized and dark green with a slight dark brown russet. Sweet and delicately perfumed flesh that is very juicy. A heavy cropping variety that makes only moderate growth. An excellent winter pear with blossom that has frost tolerance, so is ideal for the north. Pollinators include: Doyenne du Comice, Improved Fertility, Onward, Concorde etc.

(B) JOSEPENE DE MALINES

For picking and storing to eat in December and January. A very reliable cropper that normally makes a smaller tree, with its weak to moderate, rather weeping habit. The blossom is fairly frost resistant and the fruits are rather small with a green/yellow skin and russet around the stalk. This variety excels for its truly remarkable flavour for eating around the Christmas period. The flesh is pink/white and so extremely tender and juicy. It is as well that Josephine de Malines has to be stored, as without this requirement, there would certainly be none left for this purpose. An exceptional flavour and easy to grow. Pollinators include: Conference, Onward, Beth, Invincible etc.

(T) CATILLAC

A culinary pear that is picked in October for using from February to April. Large fruits with a hard flesh that cooks to perfection. Very heavy cropping, with, sturdy, vigorous growth. Beautiful in flower and very hardy. A triploid variety, so needs two other varieties for pollination. Ideal pollinators are: Beth, Clapps Favourite, Gorham, Doyenne du Comice and Onward. There me many more varieties available in small quantities. just some of these are listed after the prices. However, your choice will normally come from those listed above.