Plant DetailShow Menu

Kieffer Pear Pyrus communis 'Kieffer'

Phonetic Spelling
PY-russ kom-YOO-nis
Description

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.   

More information on Pyrus communis.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#edible plant#flowering tree#edible fruits#edible garden#pomes#flood tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#edible plant#flowering tree#edible fruits#edible garden#pomes#flood tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Oval
    Rounded
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    The white flowers blooms late in the season.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds