Pear Bartlett Dwarf

Bartlett Dwarf Pear

Pyrus communis ‘Bartlett’
Dwarf Bartlett Pear / Williams Pear

‘Bartlett’ is a classic deciduous fruit tree producing large, bell-shaped green pears that ripen to yellow with sweet, juicy, aromatic white flesh. It blooms in spring with clusters of white flowers, carries glossy green foliage through summer, and ripens a late-summer crop. The fruit is excellent for fresh eating, canning, baking, poaching, preserves, and pear sauce. In the United Kingdom and many other places, ‘Bartlett’ is known as ‘Williams’ or Williams’ Bon Chrétien.

Type: Deciduous fruit tree / dwarf European pear
Mature Size: 8–10 ft. wide × 12–15 ft. tall as a dwarf variety; size depends on rootstock and pruning.
USDA Zones: 5a–8b; some nursery sources list into 9b depending on region and strain
Form: Compact, upright to pyramidal fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, loamy, well-drained soil; average moisture during establishment and fruit sizing; avoid wet, poorly drained sites
Bloom Time / Length: Spring; white flowers bloom with other European pears and need good bee activity for best fruit set
Fruit Time: Late summer, commonly August into early September depending on region
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects; ripe or dropped fruit may attract birds, deer, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for small orchards, edible landscapes, backyard fruit gardens, espalier, sunny borders, and traditional fruit plantings. ‘Bartlett’ is especially valued as one of the best-known dessert and canning pears, with classic pear flavor and good kitchen versatility. It is considered partially self-fertile by some sources, but reliable crops are much better with a compatible European pear nearby, such as ‘Anjou,’ ‘Bosc,’ ‘Moonglow,’ ‘Orient,’ or ‘Comice.’

Care:
Plant in full sun with good air circulation. Prune annually during dormancy to maintain a strong central leader or open framework, control height, and encourage fruiting spurs. Thin fruit in late spring or early summer if crops are heavy to improve fruit size and reduce branch stress. Monitor for fire blight, pear psylla, codling moth, scab, rust, and leaf spot; remove diseased wood and fallen fruit promptly.

Pollination:
Partially self-fertile, but best fruit production requires cross-pollination with another compatible European pear. Arbor Day lists ‘Orient’ or another European pear variety as compatible, while Gardenia lists options such as ‘Moonglow’ or ‘Orient.’

Chill Requirement:
About 800 chill hours. 

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

12-15'

Width

8-10'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

Jasmine

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Red

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Home Orchard

Shape

Compact, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No