Pears in Stirling
Pyrus communis
A hardy fruit tree for UK gardens, usually planted bare-root while dormant. It does best in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil, with steady watering while it establishes and winter pruning to keep the crown open.
- Height
- 600cm
- Sunlight
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate Water
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Pear
Planting Calendar
Growing Guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Use this guide once the tree is settled and cropping. It suits most garden pears grown in the ground, with light pruning and seasonal harvest care.
Thin Fruitlets
14 Jun – 29 JunAround 14th June - 29th June, thin clustered fruitlets after the natural drop. Space the remaining fruit so the branches carry a manageable crop and the pears size up properly.
Harvest Pears
13 Aug – 27 SeptHarvest from 13th August to 27th September once the fruit comes away with a gentle twist. Pick in stages, because pears are often ready over several passes rather than all at once.
Winter Prune
30 Jan – 16 MarPrune during 30th January - 16th March while the tree is dormant. Remove congested growth, shorten whippy leaders if needed, and keep the framework open so light reaches the fruiting wood.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Pear.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Pear to consider
Conference
The standard UK pear for reliable cropping and good flavour. It stores well and suits most gardens.
Williams' Bon Chrétien
A well-known early pear with a juicy, aromatic flavour. Best eaten soon after picking.
Doyenné du Comice
A rich dessert pear with excellent flavour. It prefers a warm, sheltered site and can be a bit fussier than Conference.
Concorde
A compact, modern dessert pear with a good flavour and reliable cropping. Often a sensible choice for smaller gardens.
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Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.