Pyrus communis 'Potomac'
- Description
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The 'Potomac' is a hybrid European pear in the rose family (Rosaceae), introduced in 1993 from the USDA and The Ohio State University. Parentage is 'Moonglow' x 'Anjou'. The tree is highly resistant to fire blight and is not self-fertile, so it will need to be planted with another variety.
'Potomac' can be found grafted to dwarf stock (8 to 14 feet tall), semi-dwarf stock (15 to 20 feet tall) or standard stock (15 to 30 feet tall). It requires 600 chill hours and does best in full sun and well-drained, moist, fertile soil. Here is an NC State guide to caring for fruit trees, including dealing with insects and diseases.
The fragrant white flowers appear in spring and are followed by edible fruits in August to September. The pear has a light green skin and buttery sweet flesh. It is considered one of the best fire blight-resistant varieties.
Pears are grown commercially or in the home edible garden.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to anthracnose, canker, scab and powdery mildew. Insect visitors include pear psylla, coddling moth and borers.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed 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
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Birds and mammals will eat the fruits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 17 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The pear has a light green skin and buttery sweet flesh. Matures August to September
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White flowers with all parts in fives in clusters in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 1 to 4 inch long, green, oval, alternate leaves with serrated edges—yellow fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth and gray with lenticels becoming blocky or furrowed with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Only 1 terminal bud, larger than side buds
- Stem Description:
- Young twigs are glossy reddish-brown, often developing a scaly, grey-brown, and slightly furrowed bark as they mature. i produces numerous dwarf shoots on older wood, needed for fruiting.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
