'Moonglow' Dwarf European Pear

Moonglow is a productive European pear variety that produces attractive, medium to large yellow pears with a red blush and smooth, tender flesh that is not gritty. The fruit has a pleasantly sweet, mild flavour and a buttery, juicy texture when fully ripe. Moonglow pears are delicious eaten fresh and are also excellent for baking, canning and preserves. An early to mid-season variety, Moonglow generally ripens in late summer, and on dwarf rootstock, the trees grow only 8-10 feet tall. Moonglow requires cross-pollination with another variety of European pear (see pollination notes below). Moonglow has excellent resistance to fire blight, so its combination of disease resistance, productivity and excellent eating quality makes it a great choice for a home garden or orchard. Common names: Moonglow Pear, Moonglow Dwarf Pear Edible: Fruit Harvest timing: Early to mid-season (late August to September) Scientific name: Pyrus communis 'Moonglow' Light requirements: Full sun Full-grown size: Dwarf rootstock (8-10' tall x 6-8' wide) Hardiness: Zone 5 Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with another mid-season blooming European pear (Pyrus communis). 'Moonglow' and 'Summercrisp' can pollinate each other. 'Moonglow' can also pollinate 'Luscious,' but 'Luscious' is not a good pollinator for 'Moonglow.' Wildlife: Spring blossom attract early-season pollinators. Origin: Developed through the USDA pear breeding program in the United States and released in 1960. Noteworthy: Highly resistant to fire blight, productive and relatively early to begin bearing fruit.