Pyrus communis Kieffer (European Pear)

Excellent for both hot and cold climates, Pyrus communis 'Kieffer' is a culinary cultivar with a profusion of fragrant, creamy white flowers in late mid-season (mid-spring). Draped in clusters along the branches, they are truly a sight to behold. They are followed in the fall by a heavy crop of large, oval-shaped, greenish-yellow pears adorned with a red blush. Their flesh is crisp, and gritty in texture with a fair flavor. They are perfect for canning and baking. Kieffer is self-fertile but requires pollination by a tree of another variety with the same bloom period such as Bartlett or Anjou. The foliage of elliptic glossy green leaves turns pretty shades of red and yellow in fall. Kieffer has low-chill requirements and is quite resistant to fireblight, one of the most serious diseases of pears. Beautiful in bloom, handsome in full leaf, heavy with luscious pears, attractive in fall, and picturesque in winter, pear trees are very rewarding additions to the landscape across the seasons.

• Grows up to 12-15 ft. tall (3-4 m) and 8-10 ft. wide (2-3 m) as a dwarf variety. Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall and wide (4-6 m) as a standard tree.
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Prefers a sheltered, frost-free position.
• Pears should be pruned every year to get the best crop. They also need to be thinned to about 5 in. apart (12 cm) in late spring or early summer if you want to reap the best-quality fruit.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, codling moth, pear blister mite, pear midge and pear, cherry slugworm, pear scab, pear rust, brown rot, blossom wilt, and fireblight.
• Propagate by grafting or chip budding onto a clonal rootstock for fruit; quince rootstocks are usually used. The rootstock used will largely determine the vigor.