History: Beurre Giffard was discovered as a chance seedling by Nicolas Giffard in 1825 in France. It was later introduced to the United States in 1850.
Why We Grow It: This French heirloom pear is one of the earliest ripening pears we offer. Its sweet, melting yet crisp flesh is similar to Bartlett with an excellent flavour.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5
Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions with well-drained soils, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring.
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Moderately vigorous and very hardy with a spreading growth pattern, productive. Resistant to mildew and fireblight and very resistant to scab.
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different pear variety (European or Asian) that blooms around the same time
Flowering Time: Middle
Bloom Colour: White
Ripens: Early August
Storage: Keeps about a month when stored in cool, humid conditions
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, cooking
Size including roots:
- 1m+ Whip grade: 100cm+
- Branched grade: 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- <1m Whip grade: less than 100 cm