Below is a list of the apple scion wood available for purchase during our Winter Field Day Event:
Atago
Unlike some Asian pears that like it hot, light tan Atago develops sweet, juicy flavor even in cooler summer weather. A substantial crop of high quality, delicious fruit ripens late in the season. Atago has been a star in the Mt. Vernon trials. Shows fire blight resistance in some growing areas.
Atlantic Queen
This old-time pear cultivar earns its royal appellation for the huge, up to 1-1/2 lb. each, yellow-green fruit it produces in abundance. Enjoy the melting, juicy, aromatic flesh even when grown under adverse conditions. Shows resistance to fire blight. Ripens mid-season. Needs pollinizer.
Bosc
The Beurré Bosc or Bosc is a cultivar of the European pear, originally from France or Belgium. Also known as the Kaiser, it is grown in Europe; Australia; Argentina; the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario in Canada, and the states of California, Washington, and Oregon in the United States
Chojuro
Keeps for up to 20 weeks. A popular variety known for its butterscotch flavor. Green- to yellow-brbrown russeted skin surrounds crisp, juicy, flavorful white flesh. Similar to grocery store Asian pears, but homegrown tastes so much better! Pick when first yellow brown in color (ripens after New Century variety). Originates from Japan in 1895. Ripens in late August. Pollinator required: Choose another pear variety, like New Century, Hosui, or Bartlett.
Comice
Comice (pronounced ko-MEESE) appear in all sizes, but their shape is unique among varieties; having a rotund body with a very short, well-defined neck. They are most often green in color, and sometimes have a red blush covering small to large areas of the skin surface. However, some newer strains are almost entirely red in color. The succulent Comice can grow to be very large, and the jumbo-sized beauties are often the ones that appear in gift boxes.
Conference
Named for the British National Pear Conference in 1885, Europeans still gather to praise it. This leading French commercial variety is very juicy, sweet and buttery. It is the most productive pear, hanging from the branch in huge banana-like clusters. Attractive, large yellow fruit matures in October with Highland. It keeps until January or longer. Texture is firm and excellent for canning.
Hamese
The first of the season! This refreshingly sweet, crisp Asian pear is one of the first to ripen each summer in mid-August. Crunchy, juicy and delicately flavored, Hamese is a great addition to salads, picnic baskets and lunch boxes – take the taste of summer to work with you. The productive trees give large crops of medium sized, yellow-skinned fruits of superior flavor. Thin fruits carefully to encourage larger fruit development. Needs pollinizer.
Onward
If late frosts plague you, it’s Onward to the rescue! Organic English gardeners love Onward for its ease of growing and reliable production even in years with untimely spring frosts. The medium-size fruit is yellow and sometimes russetted, with a rich, sweet and juicy flavor, when ripe in September. A daughter of the famous Doyenne du Comice, and many believe it’s almost as wonderful, and more productive to boot! It’s a heavy, precocious cropper and a late bloomer, bloom category 3.
Orcas
Horticulturalist Joe Long discovered this tree growing on his property on Orcas Island, WA and it has become a regional favorite. The fruit is large, flavorful, and yellow with a carmine blush when perfectly ripe. The texture is smooth, slick and features very few grit cells. Orcas’ scab resistance is legendary! The tree has a vigorous, spreading habit and bears prolifically every year. The pears are great for canning, drying or eating fresh; they mature in early September. Since the tree is a late bloomer (even though it’s an early ripener), it’s great to match as a pollinizer with a later-ripening keeper variety like Bosc or Seckel.
Rescue
A show stopper. Everyone who sees and tastes this huge, beautiful fruit insists on buying a tree. The fruit is yellow with a bright red-orange blush and the flesh is sweet, smooth and juicy. The original tree was rescued from developer demolition by an attentive neighbor when the original farmer’s property transferred hands. The scab-resistant tree is upright and vigorous, and each year loaded with fruit. The fruit matures in September and keeps until December in cold storage. Its small core makes it easy to can. Needs a pollenizer.
Seckel
The Seckel pear is said to be named after the Pennsylvania farmer who first introduced it in the late 18th century. It was one of the varieties planted at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson, who said it “exceeded anything I have tasted since I left France, and equaled any pear I had seen there.” His high regard for the Seckel was shared by the eminent horticulturalist A. J. Downing, who rated its flavor above even European pear varieties.
Shinseiki
Shinseiki Asian pear is translated “new century” was developed from two of the best Asian pears of our time in the 1940’s. The Shinseiki Asian pear is round, medium to large, yellow smooth-skinned fruit with little or no russet. Crisp, creamy white flesh; mild, sweet with a hint of spice. The Shinseiki pears taste best when tree ripened. Hangs on the tree in good condition for 4-6 weeks so often requires multiple harvests during the season. Moderate fire blight resistance.
Starkrimson
Starkrimson (pronounced star-KRIM-son) pears are named for their brilliant crimson red color and feature a thick, stocky stem. The Starkrimson is a mild, sweet pear with a subtle floral aroma. It is very juicy when ripe and has a pleasant, smooth texture, making it perfect for snacking, salads, or any fresh use that shows off the brilliance of its skin. Just like Red Anjou and Red Bartlett, Starkrimson pears are often simply labeled as Red Pears in the grocery store.
Stuttgarten Geishirtle
Recommended by a customer who loved it in her hometown in Germany. This sweet two-inch diameter russeted pear will hang on the tree, ready to eat during August. Its a very heavy annual bearer of delicious lunch size fruit. The name means ‘little goat herder’ Needs a pollenizer.
