Flemish Beauty pear tree
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
A traditional European pear from Belgium, with the classic rich sweet buttery melting flesh. Flemish Beauty is also self-fertile and cold-hardy.
Flemish Beauty pear trees for sale
1Medium 1-year bare-root tree
$37.95
Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
Semi-dwarf rootstock
2Large 1-year bare-root tree
$37.95
Mature height: 10ft-16ft after 10 years
Semi-vigorous rootstock
Flemish Beauty is an old-fashioned European eating pear, with the classic melting buttery flesh which was so highly prized in 19th century Europe. It has a rich sweet flavor.
It ripens mid to late season, typically about 2 weeks after Bartlett.
How to grow
Flemish Beauty is one of the most cold-hardy of European pears, capable of tolerating zone 4 winters, and a good choice for the north country. It is also reliably self-fertile, which is unusual amongst European pears.
It will start bearing from a relatively young age.
It's main drawback is susceptibility to fireblight.
Advice on fruit tree pollination.
History
As the name suggests, Flemish Beauty appears to have been arisen in the region of Flanders in northern Belgium. In 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Belgian fruit enthusiast Jean-Baptiste Van Mons came across this variety in the village of Deftinge. Van Mons was undoubtedly the most influential figure in the development of European pears, and brought it to the notice of his wide network of pear enthusiasts. It was quickly taken up by growers in North America, where its exceptional cold-hardiness was a significant advantage.
Flemish Beauty characteristics
- Gardening skillAverage
- Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
- Pollination group3
- Pollinating othersAverage
- Bearing regularityRegular
- Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
- WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
- Picking seasonMid
- UsesEating fresh
- CroppingGood
- Keeping (of fruit)1 week
- General resistancePoor
- FireblightSome susceptibility
- ScabVery susceptible
- Cold hardiness (USDA)(4) -30F / -34C
- Summer maximum temperaturesWarm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Country of originBelgium
- Period of origin1750 - 1799
- Fruit colorYellow / Orange
