Pyrus communis Humbug ('Pysanka') (D)
pear [Humbug]
A medium-sized, upright tree, with stripey, yellow and green young shoots in winter, white blossom in spring, and shiny, oval leaves. The small fruit have thick, green and yellow striped skin, and creamy-white flesh with a mild flavour. They keep well and were traditionally used for winter decoration then eaten in early spring. Not self-fertile, in pollination group 3
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Green Yellow | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- 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
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Needs a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, fairly neutral soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Will not thrive on very acid soils, shallow chalk soils or with shade for more than half the day. See Pears
Propagation
Propagate by chip budding in late summer, or grafting in mid-winter, onto a clonal rootstock for pears. Fruit grown from pips is unlikely to resemble the parent
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Edible fruit
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Prune according to chosen training method. See pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees and pruning established fans
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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