Description

Full sun, zone 3

Pyrus ‘Bolshaya’

Pot size #5 (3-5′)

With a name meaning large, Bolshaya certainly lives up to its name, producing fruit that weighs around 80-90 grams on average. Its one of the hardiest new Russian pears available in Alberta and with fruit ripening in early-mid September, it also misses out on late season frosts.

The pears are generally sweet, though the skin has a bit of tartness to it, and have a somewhat unique round shape – more like an apple in appearance than a pear. Fruit is juicy and crisp when ripe, but will soften over time. Don’t be fooled though! These pears do not ripen after harvest, so even though the fruit softens, the flavour will not sweeten. Wait until ripe to harvest. Great for baking, juicing, and fresh eating.

Requires a second pear for cross pollination. Varieties such as Early Gold, Golden Spice, Southworth, Summercrisp, Larinskaya, Prairie Welcome, Chizhovsky, Paul’s, Patten, are Zarechnaya are recommended.

Mature Size: 20′ tall by 15′ wide