Try Something New! Grow A Medlar - Mespilus germanica

Some people are always looking for something new to grow and eat. This week I have the perfect fruit for just those folks.

The common Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a slow growing, large deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 26 feet (8 m) tall. The leaves are dark green and 2 to 6 inches (6 to 15 cm) long and 1 to 1.5 inches (3 to 4 cm) wide.

The leaves turn a spectacular red in the fall, and the plant has beautiful white flowers in late spring. The fruit is a pome, and is about 1 inch (3 cm) in diameter, with wide-spreading persistent sepals giving a "hollow" appearance to the fruit.

Medlars are eaten very much the same way as persimmons. Initially the fruit are very hard and acidic, but they become edible after being softened ("bletted") by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficient time. Once softening begins, the skin rapidly takes a wrinkled texture and turns dark brown, and the inside reduces to a consistency and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce.

Medlars are hard to start froom seed, so most varieties are grafted onto pear root stock. They are self-fertile so they don't need another tree for pollination and they produce fruit by the second year.

They are slow growing, like full sun, but need a temperate climate, well-drained soil, and shelter from any strong winds. They don't like to dry out, but kept moist.

They are hardy to USDA Zone: 4-9 which means -30 to -20 degrees F and -34.2 to 28.9 degrees C.

So if you're looking for something new, try a Medlar!

For more gardening tips and ideas go to: www.weekendgardener.net