Pyrus communis 'Joséphine de Malines' (D)
pear 'Joséphine de Malines'
A dessert pear with a very rich, buttery and perfumed flavour. This cultivar needs a warm site. Crops are good and reliable and, though they bruise easily, fruit can be used from November through to December/January. Pollination group 3
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| 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
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant in a sunny position in moist, but well-drained soil. Flowers early and so at risk from spring frosts. Needs another cultivar for pollination. Keep a weed free area of 60cm radius around the trunk. Thin fruit if necessary
Propagation
Propagate by grafting or chip budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit; quince rootstocks are usually used. The rootstock used will affect plant size
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Wall side borders
- Edible fruit
Pruning
As this cultivar is a tip bearer, it is best grown as a bush, not as a cordon or other restricted form. Prune in winter. Further pruning advice: pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees
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)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.