Flemish Beauty Pear

Vigorous spreading tree with drooping branches. Exceptionally self-fertile for European pear, even more productive with pollinizer present. Has fallen out of favor with commercial growers due to susceptibility to fireblight, but worth extra effort for home grower due to exceptional flavor and vigor and cold hardiness. Some growers report fungal issues in wetter climates. Susceptible to scab, fire blight, scale.

Blooms mid-spring, white flowers. Medium to large fruit, rounded plump classic shape. Clear yellow to dark yellow russeted skin with attractive red blush on exposed cheek and fine russet, creamy-yellow skin gently blushed with red. Smooth buttery yellow to creamy-white flesh, soft fine-grained, very juicy sweet flavor, rich and musky with balanced sugars and acids, pleasing muskiness. Should be picked when full sized and allowed to finish ripening off tree. Not recommended for extended storage before final ripening. Excellent for fresh eating, canning, drying.

Introduced to North America early 1800s. Originally discovered Deftinge Belgium during Napoleonic Wars 1810 by Belgian pear enthusiast Jean-Baptiste Van Mons (famous for work with pears, documented first pear seedling selection and growing process, many European pears like Bosc and D'Anjou stem from this selection process).