Many gardeners are converting part of the landscape to vegetable gardens. This approach promotes self sufficiency and makes good use of the available space in the landscape. Along with the vegetables and herbs consider other edible crops such as the small fruits and fruit trees. Pears are very worthy of attention. Here are some highly recommended varieties for the edible landscape.


Ubileen Pear

This variety was introduced from Europe. It was originally from either Bulgaria or former Yugoslavia. Considered a great choice for the home orchard, this has excellent disease resistance. It is grown all around the world. The strong growing tree bears a large reliable crop every year.

These fruits are very early to ripen and are about a month earlier than most European pears. In the Northwest it ripens in late July. In other locations this can be a little later.

Pick these pears when they are still firm. These ripen within a week of being harvested. The skin can be green or yellow. They have red blushing. These large fruits compare to Bartlett in size. They have a classical pear shape. The flesh is very juicy and buttery with a sweet fragrant, rich delicious flavor.


Vermont Beauty Pear

This old American variety is a classic. Dating to the late 1800’s, it originated in Grande Isle, Vermont. According to U.P. Hedrick, author of Pears of New York, which was published in 1921, the fruits were so similar that he couldn’t tell them from Forelle.

This strong growing tree bears a large reliable crop every year. This ripens a little later than the Seckel, usually in October. The fruits resemble a Seckel in shape, and are medium sized.

The skin is yellow and is covered with dots much like that seen on a brook trout. These also have red cheeks. Hedrick loved the color in particular, noting that “of all the pears those of this variety best satisfy the eye for bright color.” It has very delicate wonderful sweet flavor. Very juicy and melting, the flesh is tender and white with yellow tinges.