Pear 'Onward'

Pear 'Onward' is frequently cited by connoisseurs as one of the best-tasting pears available, often rivaling 'Doyenné du Comice' but with a more reliable cropping habit in the UK climate. Introduced in the 1960s, it produces medium to large fruits with a short, pyriform shape and a yellow-green skin often marked with some russeting. The flesh is exceptionally smooth, buttery, and melting, with a rich, sweet, and perfume-filled juice. It belongs to pollination group 4 and, crucially, it is not compatible with 'Doyenné du Comice' as a pollinator. The tree has a moderately vigorous, upright-spreading growth habit and produces a reliable show of white blossoms in late spring. It prefers a warm, sheltered site to ensure the best fruit quality and to protect the flowers from cold winds. While it is hardy, the fruit is best picked slightly under-ripe in mid-September and conditioned indoors for a few days to reach its peak dessert quality for October eating.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Apr, May.