Looking to grow the best Pears right in your own backyard? Whether you're into snacking, baking, preserving, or gifting fresh fruit to friends and neighbors, Pear trees are a must-have in your edible landscape. With the right variety and care, these trees will bless your garden with fragrant spring blossoms and branches heavy with sweet, juicy fruit year after year.
Here are ten popular Pear tree varieties to consider for your garden:
1. Bartlett Pear
The world's most popular Pear! A classic heirloom known for sweet, juicy fruit with crisp white flesh.
- ~800 chill hours
- Mature Size: 15–30 feet tall, 12–15 feet wide
- Zones 5–9
- Partially self-fertile (Recommended pollinators: Bosc, D'Anjou, Comice)
- Mid-season harvest
- Excellent fresh, baked, or canned
2. Warren Pear
Smooth, buttery, dessert-quality fruit. Naturally pyramidal tree with strong Fire Blight resistance.
- ~600 chill hours
- Mature Size: 15–25 feet tall, 15–25 feet wide
- Zones 5–9
- Mostly self-fertile, but produces more with a partner
- Late-season harvest
3. Bosc Pear
Firm, dense, and spiced white flesh makes this a top choice for baking and preserving.
- 500–600 chill hours
- Mature Size: 12–15 feet tall, 12–18 feet wide
- Zones 5–9
- Needs a pollinator (Warren, Bartlett, Comice, Seckel)
- Late-season harvest
4. Comice Pear
An award-winning antique! The famous "Christmas Pear" with rich, dessert-quality flavor.
- 500–600 chill hours
- Mature Size: 12–18 feet tall and wide
- Zones 5–9
- Not self-pollinating (Pollinators: Bartlett, Bosc, Warren)
- Mid-season harvest
5. Sensation Red Bartlett Pear
A vibrant red-skinned version of Bartlett with the same sweet, juicy flavor and broad versatility.
- 600–800 chill hours
- Mature Size: Up to 25 feet tall, 10–25 feet wide
- Zones 5–9
- Partially self-pollinating (Best with Orient or Bartlett)
- Early autumn harvest
6. Shinseiki Pear
Also called "New Century", this Asian Pear delivers crisp, lemon-yellow fruit with a refreshingly sweet bite.
- 300–400 chill hours
- Mature Size: 8–10 feet tall, 6–7 feet wide
- Zones 5–9
- Self-pollinating, but benefits from other Asian Pears
- Early to mid-season harvest
7. 20th Century Pear (Nijisseiki)
A crisp, round Asian Pear known for sweet, juicy flavor and great storage qualities.
- 400–600 chill hours
- Mature Size: 15–20 feet tall and wide
- Zones 5–9
- Self-fertile, but performs better with Shinseiki nearby
- Mid-season harvest
8. D'Anjou Pear
Subtly sweet, citrusy European Pear with a smooth, firm texture. Fantastic fresh or cooked.
- ~700 chill hours
- Mature Size: 10–15 feet tall and wide
- Zones 5–9
- Not self-pollinating (Best with Bartlett, Bosc, or Comice)
- Late-season harvest
9. Kieffer Pear
A Southern favorite! A huge pear with crisp, firm flesh perfect for preserves and canning, with good disease resistance.
- 350–400 chill hours
- Mature Size: 15–20 feet tall, 12–20 feet wide
- Zones 4–9
- Self-fertile, but larger yields can be achieved with another variety nearby
- Mid to late-season harvest
10. Oriental Asian Pear
Sweet and juicy with a crisp crunch—fantastic for fresh eating and easy to grow.
- 400–600 chill hours
- Mature Size: 12–15 feet tall and wide
- Zones 5–9
- Self-fertile, though cross-pollination improves production
- Mid to late-season harvest
Pear Tree Planting & Care Tips
- Sunlight: Plant your Pear tree in a location that receives full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily).
- Soil: Ensure well-drained, fertile soil.
- Watering: Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods.
- Pruning: Prune annually during the dormant season to maintain shape and remove dead or diseased wood.
Read full planting, pruning, and care information for your new Pear Tree in our Garden Blog!
Pollination: How to Maximize Your Pear Harvest
Pollination Basics
- Many Pear trees are partially self-fertile, but cross-pollination = better yields.
- Choose a compatible pollinator that blooms around the same time.
- Asian and European Pears generally do not cross-pollinate unless bloom times overlap.
Spacing for Pollination
- Plant trees within 50–100 feet of one another for bee-assisted pollination.
Harvesting & Ripening Pears the Right Way
How to Know When to Harvest
- Most Pears are picked when mature but still firm.
- A ripe Pear gives slightly to pressure near the neck (close to the stem).
- Check for color changes, sweet aroma, and easy twisting off the branch.
Ripening Indoors
- Let the Pears ripen at room temperature on the counter.
- Speed up ripening by placing Pears in a paper bag with an apple or banana.
- Refrigerate once fully ripe to preserve texture and flavor.
Pro Tip: Don't wait too long to harvest! Overripe Pears on the tree can become mealy or mushy.
Find Your Perfect Pear Tree at Nature Hills
There's a reason Pears have been cherished for thousands of years—they're delicious, nutritious, beautiful, and surprisingly easy to grow at home. Whether you're drawn to the buttery Warren, the iconic Bartlett, or the crisp snap of an Asian Pear, there's a perfect Pear tree waiting for you at Nature Hills Nursery.
By choosing the right pollination partner, planting with care, and learning the right time to prune and pick, you're setting yourself up for a season after season of sweet success.
So go ahead—plant your legacy, feed your family, and bring a little old-world orchard magic to your modern backyard.
Happy Planting!
