Mespilus germanica - Common Medlar

Mespilus germanica, or medlar, is a forgotten fruit bush. It is very hardy and not demanding on soil type.

Its white flowering looks beautiful in a free hedge. However, if you prune it too short in a traditional hedge, your medlar will not flower. Its foliage takes on beautiful autumn colours and then disappears for the winter. Its habit is quite spread out, but it remains low; very few exceed 4 m (13 ft) in height. Its trunk is twisted and highly ramified. The branches sometimes have a few scattered large thorns. In autumn, it produces russet-brown unusual-shaped fruit, which is commonly used to make jams and jellies.

In a free hedge, for a diverse and natural association, mix Mespilus germanica with other species with different properties but similar requirements. For example, with a field maple and a spindle tree for foliage, a viburnum for flowering, a currant bush and a blackcurrant bush for their fruits. This type of hedge will surely attract bees and birds to your garden.

The medlar, its unique fruit, was used for generations as a source of energy during winter, and had a reputation for curing throat ailments. To consume medlar fruits, they must be allowed to blet, which means harvesting them after the first frost.