Description
Medlar is native to the Caucasus, northern Iran and Crimea, and Karadagskaya comes from that home ground: it is named for the Karadag massif on the Crimean Black Sea coast. It is seldom offered outside the region, so it is a collector’s tree first and a dependable late fruit second.
The medlar’s own character is a strange and lovely one. The tree carries large white flowers like single roses in late spring, the fruit hangs until October or November, and it is inedible until bletted (left to soften after picking), when the flesh turns brown, sweet and spiced, somewhere between apple butter and a date.
Overview
- An uncommon Crimean medlar, rarely offered in this country.
- Self-fertile; one tree is enough.
- Large white rose-like flowers in late spring.
- Ripens October into November, and is eaten bletted.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Mespilus germanica ‘Karadagskaya’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Flowering Group: Late spring bloom; self-fertile, so there is no group to match
Rootstock: Grafted onto Provence Quince BA29C rootstock
Bearing Age: 3 to 4 years after planting
Size at Maturity: Small tree, about 12 to 15 ft tall and wide
Ripening Time: Late season; October into November
Pollination: Self-fertile; one tree sets a full crop
Pests & Diseases: Low pressure; medlar carries very few pest and disease problems
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Bletting is not rot. Pick after the first frosts, lay the fruit out indoors, and wait until it gives to a thumb before eating.
- Regional Insight: Medlar fruits across a wide range because it is self-fertile, flowers late enough to miss most spring frosts, and carries almost no pest pressure.
- Explore more medlar trees in our collection: Medlar Trees
