Red Bartlett Pear

Red Bartlett Pear (Pyrus communis 'Red Bartlett')

Red Bartlett Pear is a colorful sport of Bartlett, bearing smooth, crimson to ruby pears with sweet, aromatic, buttery flesh; white spring bloom and a rounded canopy make a striking, productive tree for sunny home orchards and espaliers.

Distinctive Features

Ornamental Skin: Red to crimson blush develops best in full sun; Dessert Quality: Buttery, ultra-juicy flesh harvested firm and finished at room temperature for peak texture and flavor.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun (6+ hours) for best bloom, sugar, and color.
• Soil: Deep, well-drained loam enriched with organic matter; avoid soggy or compacted sites.
• Water: Keep evenly moist from bloom through fruit swell; do not allow prolonged drought.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 12 to 18 ft tall and wide on semi-dwarf; 8 to 12 ft on dwarf rootstocks.
• Bloom Time: Spring; harvest late summer to early fall, then ripen indoors.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, about 6.0 to 7.0.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Crimson fruit and spring bloom create a seasonal centerpiece.
• Home Orchard: Reliable crops for fresh eating and desserts.
• Espalier Training: Spur-bearing habit suits cordons and fans on fences or walls.
• Edible Landscape: Attractive canopy integrates with herbs and pollinator borders.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply soak when the top 1 to 2 in are dry; increase during heat, bloom, and fruit swell.
• Pruning: Winter prune to open the canopy and renew fruiting spurs; summer pinch vigorous shoots to improve light and airflow.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, low to moderate nitrogen fruit tree fertilizer in early spring based on soil test; avoid excess nitrogen that invites fire blight.
• Mulching: Spread 2 to 3 in of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it off the trunk, to conserve moisture and moderate temperature.
• Notes: Partially self-fertile but heavier crops with a compatible European pear nearby (for example, Anjou or Bosc); thin clusters after June drop and pick fruit firm to finish ripening indoors.

Why Choose Red Bartlett Pear?

• Striking Color: Bold red skins elevate orchard and table.
• Gourmet Texture: Buttery flesh with rich sweetness.
• Training Flexibility: Performs as free-standing tree or espalier.
• Reliable Yields: Consistent production with sun, pruning, and pollination.

Plant in full sun with deep, well-drained soil, pair with a pollinizer, and ripen harvested fruit indoors for the finest flavor and texture.