Pear Bosc Dwarf
Bosc Dwarf Pear
Pyrus communis ‘Bosc’
Dwarf Bosc Pear / Beurré Bosc / Golden Russet Bosc Pear
‘Bosc’ is a classic deciduous fruit tree producing long-necked, russet-brown pears with dense, fine-textured white flesh and rich, sweet, aromatic flavor. It blooms in spring with clusters of white flowers, carries glossy green foliage through summer, and produces a late-season crop of pears that are usually picked firm and ripened off the tree. Bosc pears hold their shape especially well, making them excellent for fresh eating, baking, poaching, roasting, canning, and desserts.
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–9b
Form: Compact, upright to pyramidal fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, well-drained soil; balanced average moisture during establishment and fruit sizing; avoid wet, poorly drained sites
Bloom Time / Length: Spring; white blossoms appear with other European pears and require compatible pollen for reliable fruit set
Fruit Time: Late season, commonly late summer into fall 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. ‘Bosc’ is especially useful where a firm dessert and cooking pear is wanted. It is not self-fertile, so plant it with a compatible European pear such as ‘Bartlett,’ ‘Anjou,’ ‘Comice,’ or another pear with overlapping bloom time for better fruit production.
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:
Requires cross-pollination with another compatible European pear; ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Anjou’ are commonly listed as suitable partners.
Chill Requirement:
Commonly listed around 800 chill hours.
- Plant type
- Fruit Tree
- Height
- 12-15'
- Width
- 8-10'
- Hardiness zones
- 5–8
- Sunlight
- Full Sun
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom time
- Spring
- Flower color
- Tan
- 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