Medlar
Mespilus germanica
The medlar is a small, ornamental tree with large white flowers and russet fruit that must be "bletted" (softened) after picking, when it tastes like spiced apple butter. It is a traditional English garden fruit.
Photo: Solipsist (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water young trees in dry spells.
Soil
Moist, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-20–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Mulch with compost in spring.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by grafting
Little pruning needed; remove crossing branches in winter.
Bletted medlars are safe to eat; the seeds should be discarded.
Top Cultivation Tips
Pick in November and store on trays until brown and soft.
Self-fertile.
Beautiful fall colour.
Makes excellent jelly.
Common problems
Aphids
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new shoots and buds, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →
