Pyrus communis 'Kieffer'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-russ kom-YOO-nis
- Description
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Kieffer pear is a heavy bearing tree and can tolerate both drought and flooding. It is resistant to Fire Blight. At least two cultivars are recommended for adequate pollination. The mature size of the tree depends on the version you choose, the standard one of dwarf one.
Height: 20 ft. or 12-15 ft. Width: 20 ft. or 10 ft.
Site: Full sun. Slightly acidic, deep, heavy, and moist well-drained soil. Quite sensitive to salt but will tolerate both drought and flooding.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pyrus
- Species:
- communis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Edibility:
- It produces large-sized, golden-yellow with some crimson blush fruit. The white flesh is crisp and coarse. It is good for preserves, canning or baking. Ripens from mid-September to mid-October.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Oval
- Rounded
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- It produces large-sized, golden-yellow with some crimson blush fruit. The white flesh is crisp and coarse. It is good for preserves, canning or baking. Ripens from mid-September to mid-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The white flowers blooms late in the season.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The glossy, simple leaves feature fine teeth on the margin and provide golden bronze fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Lenticels
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Similar to an apple tree; prominent lenticels that grow fissured and scaly with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- Dwarf shoots on old wood. New stems are pointed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
