Pyrus communis 'Santa Claus' (D)

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  RHS Plants for Pollinators plants

  This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.

  It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.

  • Garden Plants
  • Wildflowers
  • Plants of the World

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 pear cultivation for further advice

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

• Cottage and informal garden
• City and courtyard gardens
• 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)