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Fruit EdibleTrees

Mespilus germanica 'Iranian' (F)

medlar 'Iranian'

A slightly more compact medlar cultivar producing fruit very good for eating fresh. It originates from the wild medlars growing in northern Iran and is one of the best flavoured. It forms as a small, spreading tree with oblong, leathery, green leaves turning yellow-brown in autumn. Attractive, white, cup-shaped flowers appear in late spring, followed by russet-brown fruit. When fully ripe the flesh turns brown and quite sweet. Self-fertile. Cropping season: October to early November

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Mespilus is a small spreading deciduous tree or large shrub with large leaves colouring well in autumn, and white flowers followed by edible fruits
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Wait to collect fruit until after frost. See How to grow: medlars for further cultivation details

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding or grafting on quince rootstock – rootstocks for fruit

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility. May also be susceptible to quince leaf blight, brown rot and powdery mildews

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