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Duo of Pyrus communis William's and Louise Bonne of Jersey - pears

Pyrus communis William's, Louise Bonne D'avranches
pear

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€34.50 Bare root

Available in 5 sizes

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A duo of Williams and Louise Bonne of Jersey pear trees, two varieties on the same tree, to save space in the garden. These two varieties are recognised and appreciated for their excellent juicy, sweet and fragrant pears. They pollinate each other, for an abundant harvest in August-September. Both flower in April, providing a dazzling spectacle of whiteness and an attractive flowering for bees. Fruit trees are preferably planted in autumn, in deep, fertile and well-prepared soil.
Flavour
Sugary
Height at maturity
6 m
Spread at maturity
4 m
Exposure
Sun
Best planting time October to November
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December
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Flowering time April
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Harvest time August to September
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Description

The William's and Louise Bonne of Jersey pear trees form a highly complementary duo, offering fruits rich in flavours to be enjoyed without moderation from mid-August to late September. These two varieties, grafted onto the same rootstock, flower at the same time. Usually self-sterile, they pollinate each other to offer abundant fruiting on a single tree. The William's, juicy and melting, is an excellent pear produced worldwide, while the Louise Bonne of Jersey, typically punctuated with carmine red on the sun-exposed cheek, adapts well to cooking. This very ornamental pear tree offers intense flowering at the very beginning of spring and then its dark green foliage adorns the tree throughout the season, ending with beautiful autumn colours. Its excellent cold resistance and adaptation to all types of soils, except overly suffocating ones, allow the pear tree to be planted in all regions, including at high altitudes. It finds a place, planted on a lawn, at the back of a flower bed, in an orchard, or in a fruit hedge.

This tree combines two grafts:

- A graft of William's Pear: a highly adaptable variety with easy cultivation, renowned for the excellent taste quality of its large pears and their ability to be stored. Its fruits are yellow when ripe, sometimes speckled with russet and offer a fine, juicy, melting, sweet, and fragrant flesh, remarkably aromatic. Fairly large, with a diameter of about 7 cm, round and squat, they can be harvested from August and stored perfectly until November, either in a ventilated cellar or in the refrigerator. A partially self-fertile variety and a very good pollinator for other pear trees.

- A graft of Louise Bonne of Jersey Pear: a medium vigour variety, with good regular production. Suitable for all regions and will produce better fruits at higher altitudes. It produces medium-sized, beautifully coloured pears with brick red on a yellow background. Of good taste quality, their fine flesh is sweet and juicy. Harvest takes place in September, just before the fruits reach maturity, as they tend to become over-ripe. This pear tree is not self-fertile.

Pyrus communis (Common Pear) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Present in Europe since antiquity, it originates from the forests of Western Asia. Over the centuries, a very large number of cultivars have emerged. Its cultivation is widespread in Europe. The William's, also known as Bon Chrétien William's or Bartlett in the USA, is an old variety of pear tree, resulting from a natural seedling, obtained in 1796 in the United Kingdom, by Stair Wheeler (English schoolteacher), then more widely distributed in the 19th century by Williams of Turnham (nurseryman). The Louise Bonne d'Avranches, also known as Louise Bonne of Jersey or Louise Bonne, is an old variety of pear tree obtained in 1770 from a seedling made by Mr. Longueval d'Avranches.

This pear tree forms a tree with a pyramidal framework, reaching approximately 4 to 6 metres high and 4 metres wide at maturity, producing numerous slightly arched branches, with a spreading habit. Its habit is well suited to tall forms (on a standard) or low forms (in a goblet shape), and occasionally espaliered (fan-trained). Its deciduous foliage consists of large, 8 to 10 cm long, alternate, ovate, shiny green leaves, turning yellow-orange in autumn. Flowering occurs between late March and mid-April. The single, white flowers, 2 to 3 cm in diameter, grouped in umbels, are nectar-rich. They can be destroyed by frost from -2 to -3 °C. It is a hardy tree that tolerates temperatures around -25 °C, and is suitable for cultivation in all regions, including at high altitudes. Pear trees are self-sterile or self-incompatible, the flowers cannot fertilise themselves. That is why the presence of these two varieties, on the same tree, will allow cross-pollination, and thus enable fruiting.

These two varieties of pear trees grafted onto the same tree offer abundant, regular and rapid fruiting, around 3 to 4 years, with optimal fruit production occurring after 5 to 7 years. An adult pear tree (between 10 and 20 years old) produces an average of 30 to 50 kilograms of fruit per year. Harvest begins around mid-August with the William's and continues until mid-September with the Louise Bonne of Jersey. It is important to pick the fruits slightly before they are fully ripe and with their stalks to ensure good storage. Since pears are quite fragile, harvest manually with care. The fruit is consumed as soon as it is picked. Pears can be eaten raw or cooked, in compotes, pastries, and desserts, in fruit salads or compositions, in combination with cheeses or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes, alongside ducks, white meats (poultry and lamb), or game. They are also perfect for making juices or fruits in syrup.

Rich in water and very fleshy, pears refresh and quench thirst and are satisfying. They are moderately calorie-rich and well supplied with potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant iron content. Their content of vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and fibres make pears a healthy choice. They are invigorating, energising, and rehydrating. The fruits can be stored for only a few weeks after harvest, but rarely beyond mid-November. Store in a cool, clean place, protected from light, at a temperature around 8 to 10 °C, or in a cold room, sealed from outside air, at a temperature of 1 to 3 °C.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 6 m
Spread at maturity 4 m
Growth rate normal

Fruit

Fruit colour yellow
Fruit diameter 7 cm
Flavour Sugary
Use Table, Jam, Compote, Patisserie, Cooking
Harvest time August to September

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 3 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Pyrus

Species

communis

Cultivar

William's, Louise Bonne D'avranches

Family

Rosaceae

Other common names

pear

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference18776

Planting and care

Your Pear Tree needs warmth and shelter from prevailing winds, especially further north, and preferably full sun. The pear tree thrives in moist, rich soils without stagnant moisture, but does not appreciate overly dry or chalky soils. Pear trees, like all fruit trees, are best planted between October and March, outside of the freezing period. Container-grown trees can be planted throughout the year, except during periods of high heat or frost.

To plant, loosen the soil deeply and remove rocks and unwanted weeds. Add some gravel to improve drainage if necessary. Dig a wide planting hole at least 3 times the volume of the root ball. Make sure to separate the subsoil from the topsoil. Mix crushed horn and organic matter (potting soil, compost, etc.) with the subsoil and pour this mixture into the bottom of the planting hole. Place the root ball, cover with the topsoil without burying the graft union and firm it down. Water generously (about 10 litres). It may be a good idea to stake the pear tree by installing a bracing system: plant 3 stakes in a triangle 50 cm around the trunk, and connect them with pieces of wood. Protect the bark with a piece of rubber, for example, and attach the stakes to the trunk with wire. It is also possible to espalier it on a support (U-shaped espalier or Verrier espalier, for example).

In terms of maintenance, every year in autumn, apply well-rotted compost on the surface. Then, in winter, add a small handful of wood ash, rich in potash, to improve fruiting. Hoe if necessary at the base of the tree. Water regularly, depending on your climate, during the first two or three years.

The pear tree can be susceptible to various diseases and pests. To prevent scab (brown spots on leaves), brown rot (wilting of flowers and rotting of fruits on the tree), and powdery mildew (white powdery coating on leaves), spray Bordeaux mixture and horsetail decoctions. As for pests, the codling moth or fruit worm, a small caterpillar, can be controlled by installing bird and bat boxes, placing corrugated cardboard strips along the trunk, and bagging the fruits in brown kraft paper. In case of aphid infestation, spray a mixture of water and black soap.

Planting period

Best planting time October to November
Recommended planting time January to March, October to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Free-standing, Orchard
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), rich, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Prune the pear tree every 2 to 3 years (except for espalier forms, where pruning should be annual and prioritise flower buds) from November to March, excluding the freezing period. To prune, remove any suckers that have grown at the base of the tree and any water shoots developing on the trunk of the tree. Remove dead or broken branches, as well as those that are crossing each other. Cut back twigs and some inner branches to allow air and light to circulate in the middle. Trim the ends of the branches above an outward-facing bud. Apply a healing clay-type sealant to the pruning wounds. In June, when the pears are pre-formed, thin them out by keeping only two fruits per cluster, prioritising the ones on the periphery. This will result in larger pears.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time January to March, June, December
Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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