|
GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Edibles
Trees and Shrubs
Asian
Pears for the Maritime Northwest
 Let
me begin with crisp, juicy, and delicious! Although Washington
is known as apple country, our climate also favors the Asian
Pear. This gourmet delight is fairly easy to grow. It is ornamental
as well, with showy spring flowers, large attractive leaves
and good fall color.
We
offer five varieties this year, plus a combination standard
or espalier. (Remember, as with many fruit trees you need
two different varieties for pollinization.) Let me give you
a taste, so to speak. Chojuro is also known as the "Rum
Pear" for its hugely aromatic fruit. Hosui is a popular
commercial variety with golden russeted skin. Kosui is a noted
aromatic cooking variety. Nijiseiki and Shinseiki produce
a milder yellow fruit, my own favorite for fresh eating. These
are the ones you buy with little white mesh jackets in the
supermarket for $2.99 a pound or more!
I urge you to add this very manageable small tree to your
orchard or edible landscape. And I expect a taste this fall
for giving you this valuable tip! Come see us to learn more
about Asian Pears.
By
Bill Bloomfield, W.C.N.
Skylights Spring/Summer 2001, Vol 15, No. 2
Other
articles on edibles
Other
articles on trees and shrubs
|
