Species guide
Pears
22 pear varieties with cited chill-hour, zone, and pollination data. Most need a pollination partner.
Variety catalog
- 20th Century300–400 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Bartlett500–600 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)needs partner
- Bosc500–600 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)needs partner
- Chojuro~450 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —needs partner
- Comice~600 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)needs partner
- D'Anjou~800 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —needs partner
- Golden Spicechill —zone 3needs partner
- Harrow Delight~800 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —needs partner
- Hosui300–400 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–10 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)needs partner
- Kieffer200–300 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Korean Giantchill —zone 5 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)needs partner
- Lusciouschill —zone 4needs partner
- Moonglow400–500 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —needs partner
- Parkerchill —zone 4needs partner
- Pattenchill —zone 4needs partner
- Seckel~500 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–8needs partner
Small, yellowish-brown; fine-grained, smooth, sweet and juicy flesh
- Shinko~450 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —needs partner
- Shinseiki250–300 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 5–10 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Summercrispchill —zones 4–8needs partner
- Urechill —zone 3needs partner
- Warren~600 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —self-fertile
- Yoinashi300–400 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones —needs partner
(est.) marks our clearly-labeled estimate where no source publishes a figure (hover for the basis); dashed badges cite nursery catalogs rather than extension sources; “—” means nobody publishes that figure for the variety.
Growing pears: the basics
Pears grow much like apples and reward a little planning up front — full sun, an open canopy, and a compatible pollination partner set you up for reliable crops.
Sun & site
Give pears full sun, and favour a site with good air movement so foliage dries quickly after rain — an open, airy canopy is one of the best ways to keep disease pressure down. Keeping the tree pruned so light and air reach all the leaves helps them dry fast and stay healthy.
Soil
Pears do best in deep, well-drained soil. It's worth testing your soil before planting so you can adjust pH and fertility ahead of time rather than trying to fix it once the tree is established.
Pollination & spacing
For consistent fruit, plant two different pear varieties that bloom at the same time so they can cross-pollinate, or be sure there is another pear tree flowering nearby. Give each tree enough room that light can reach all its branches as it fills out.
Watering & first years
Water young trees regularly while their roots establish, and keep a weed- and grass-free circle around the trunk so the tree isn't competing for water and nutrients. Promptly clearing fallen fruit and leaves keeps the area around the tree tidy and healthy.
Planting
Plant while the tree is dormant. Choosing varieties with some natural disease resistance and hardiness for your zone is the single most important decision you'll make, so pick well before you plant.
Where this guide comes from
This growing guide is drawn from the university-extension sources below.
- University of Minnesota Extension. Growing pears in the home garden — accessed July 2026
Plan the year
Month-by-month pear care, anchored to each zone’s typical frost dates: