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Summer Blood Birne European Pear

bare-root trees
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Pyrus communis
Pink-blushed yellow skin, mottled red flesh.

Midsummer. An unusual ancient German red-fleshed pear. 

Mottled red flesh is mild and sweet with a subtle cinnamon flavor. Of the handful of commonly available “blood” pears, this is the largest, though still on the small side as far as pears go. Squat round pear-shaped fruit is yellow, often with a pink blush. Ripens in early August and is good for fresh eating and drying. Beautiful sliced atop an arugula, walnut and goat cheese salad. 

A fun addition to any orchard. Resistant to scab. Z4.

(2½–5' bare-root trees)

Maine Grown. NEW!
ships in spring
Quick Details
Maine Grown
Yes
Skin Color
pink-blushed yellow
Flesh Color
mottled red
Hardy to Zone
4
Compare
Compare with other European Pears
Variety Product Type Maine Grown Skin Color Flesh Color Hardy to Zone
Bartlett bare-root trees Yes greenish yellow 4
Bosc bare-root trees russeted dark yellow white 4
Cabot Vermont bare-root trees Yes greenish yellow yellowish 4
Dana Hovey bare-root trees Yes russeted golden-yellow 4
Devoe bare-root trees Yes red-blushed golden yellow white 4
Giffard bare-root trees Yes red-blushed yellow-green 3
Harrow Delight bare-root trees Yes yellow-green white 4
Kaspar’s Winter bare-root trees Yes mottled blushed green 4
Luscious bare-root trees Yes yellowish off-white 3
Magness bare-root trees Yes russeted greenish yellow 4
Patten bare-root trees Yes red-blushed greenish yellow 3
Seckel bare-root trees Yes red-blushed yellow 4
Summer Blood Birne bare-root trees Yes pink-blushed yellow mottled red 4
Summercrisp bare-root trees Yes red-blushed green 3
Winter Nelis bare-root trees Yes russeted yellow 4
Bosc scionwood russeted dark yellow white 4
Gorham scionwood 3
Kaspar’s Winter scionwood mottled blushed green 4
Magness scionwood russeted greenish yellow 4
Seckel scionwood red-blushed yellow 4
Stacyville scionwood 3
Additional Information

Pears Pyrus spp.

European Pears Pyrus communis

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, pears can grow up to 100' tall in the wild. Many pear varieties are hardy in New England but tend to take longer to come into bearing than apples and might not bear every year. Farther south, pears tend to bear annually. Pick fruit when green and ripen it on the shelf. Or, for optimal eating, try this method, from Ed Fackler of Rocky Mountain Orchard: “…when fruits exhibit slight color changes, begin to test pressure (using your thumb) near the stem. When there is a slight ‘give,’ pick all the fruit, store at or near 35° for 7 or more days. Then remove them as needed, allow them to sit at room temps for 2–4 days which allows them to ripen to peak flavor.” Pears are on OHxF97 and will reach 25' or taller at maturity. (2½–6' trees)

Perry Pears Perry is fermented pear juice—the pear equivalent of hard cider. While you can ferment any pear juice, the best perry is made from small dry astringent varieties selected over the centuries just for that purpose. Most of these perry pears are not suitable for fresh eating or cooking. These trees are a good investment—they should live to be about 300 years old.

Asian Pears Pyrus pyrifolia

There are thousands of named Asian pear cultivars in China, where they have been grown for more than 2000 years. They bear young and are long-lived. Asian pears differ from European pears: they are crisper and very juicy, sweet and mild with a nutty background, and are roundish in shape. Because they set heavily, thin the crop once or even twice during the first two months after bloom to ensure large fruit. Leave about one fruit per spur. Unlike European pears, they should be tree-ripened. When the seeds are black, the pears are ready. They ripen in late summer and keep for several weeks with refrigeration.

Asian pears reach 15–20' at maturity.

Growing Pears

  • Soil: Prefers well-drained fertile soil.
  • Sun: Full.
  • Pollination:
    • European Pears We recommend planting a second variety for pollination, though some European pears may be self-pollinating. Bloom times are similar for all varieties we offer.
    • Asian Pears We recommend planting a second variety for pollination, though some Asian pears may be self-pollinating. Some European pears, notably Bartlett, will also act as pollinators.
  • Planting and Pruning: See our planning and planting and pests and diseases pages for more information about soil prep, planting, pruning, and pest control.
  • Spacing: 15–20' apart.

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered on or before February 20 will ship from March through early May, starting with warmer areas and finishing in colder areas.

Orders placed after February 20 will ship from April to May.