Height Up to 600cm (236in)
Spread Up to 600cm (236in)

Hardy Tree

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full sun

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Flowering Months Harvest Months

The Common Medlar is a fully hardy, deciduous, spreading tree. White flowers, up to 5cm (2") in diameter are formed singly at the tips of the branches in May and June resulting in small, fleshy, brown fruits from late October into November. The lance shaped, green leaves turn a stunning golden yellow-brown in autumn. Medlars will be sharp to the taste until fully ripe, ripening further if left on the tree until frosts threaten. Harvest the fruits to complete their ripening and softening indoors. These unusual fruits are traditionally eaten with port and cheese. Height and spread: 6m (20').

Medlars are self-fertile and therefore do not require a pollination companion.

Estimated time to cropping once planted: 2 years.
Estimated time to best yields: 4 years.

Useful links:

How to grow fruit trees Fruit rootstock guide

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.

Show Codes

1 x 15 Litre Potted Plant (KA3274)

1 x 35 Litre Potted Plant (Height 150cm+, Multistem) (KF6836)

1 x 4 Litre Potted Tree (Quince Adams Rootstock) (KC2447)

1 x 5 Litre Potted Plant (Height 60cm+) (KF6835)

1 x 18 Litre Potted Plant (Height 125cm+) (KF6837)

2 x 4 Litre Potted Plants (Quince A Rootstock) (KH5078)

2 x 15 Litre Potted Plants (TKA3275)

How to Grow

Plant Medlar trees in well drained, moist, non-alkaline soil in a sheltered sunny or semi shaded position. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole and drive the stake into the ground to support the tree. Staking after planting may result in damage to the root ball. Plant fruit trees at their original soil level and firm them into the ground. Fasten the tree to the stake using a tree tie, and water well.

For more information and guidance check out our Gardening Guides.

More Info

Fruit trees do not suffer weed competition well. Keep weeds and grass clear from within a 30cm radius of base of the tree. In spring, while the ground is moist, apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost around the base of the tree, taking care not to mound it up against the stem. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer. Adequate moisture is essential to produce a good crop. Water Medlar trees during particularly dry periods to ensure that the soil does not dry out.

Pruning Medlar trees begins immediately after planting. Remove the central stem to just above the highest side branch. For the following 3 years, prune only the tips of the remaining main branches by one third in winter. Aim for about six main branches which will form the frame of your tree, with fruiting sub branches growing off of them. From the fourth year, some sub branches can be pruned out at the union where they join the main branch, to allow new sub branches to take their place.

Leave the fruits on the tree until late autumn and harvest medlars in dry weather when the stalk parts easily from the branch. Medlars cannot be eaten immediately and should be stored for 2 or 3 weeks on slatted trays until the flesh has become soft and brown.

Delivery

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large Non-standard items may incur a higher, lorry delivery charge. Charges will be calculated at checkout, but an example of the lorry charges are listed below.