Doyenne du Comice pear trees
Pyrus communis
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- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Flowering group: 4
- Awards: RHS AGM (current) 1993
Comice is widely considered to have the best flavour of any pear. It has both the characteristic "melting" flesh of the highest quality pear varieties, along with a sweet richness and delicacy which others can't quite attain.
Although originating from France it was well-known in England by the late 19th century and the Victorian author Robert Hogg records several letters from fellow enthusiasts praising its "surpassing flavour".
Doyenne du Comice pear trees for sale
Pot-grown
All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.
PG12-year bush-trained 11.5L pot-grown tree Quince Eline rootstock £62.00
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
PG2Premium cordon 12L pot-grown tree Quince Eline rootstock £61.50
Small tree
(1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
PG32-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree Quince A rootstock £57.75
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
PG4Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree Quince A rootstock £63.50< 5 in stock
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Bare-root
BR11-year bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £39.75
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
BR22-year bush-trained bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £47.95
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
BR3Cordon-trained bare-root tree Quince Eline rootstock £49.00
Medium tree
(2m-3m after 10 years)
BR41-year bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £38.25< 5 in stock
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
BR52-year bush-trained bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £47.50
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
BR62-year half-standard bare-root tree Quince A rootstock £48.50
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
BR71-year bare-root tree Pyrodwarf rootstock £40.50< 5 in stock
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
BR82-year bare-root tree Pyrodwarf rootstock £49.00
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Need help? Ask our fruit tree experts
Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.
Next deliveries
Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
Delivery charges
Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.
Growing and Training
As befits such a refined pear, Doyenne du Comice needs to be grown in a sheltered south-facing situation, and it does best in the drier climate of the south or east side of the UK. Espalier or fan-training against a south-facing wall is the ideal.
The other important consideration with Comice is that it needs a reliable pollination partner nearby, as the shape of its flowers makes it difficult for successful pollination to occur. Conference is a good choice as it is a naturally good pollinator and flowers just 3-4 days ahead of Comice, as are Gorham or Williams or Beth - the latter works well with Doyenne du Comice because they have separate fruiting seasons.
The fruit size is relatively large by pear standards - provided you thin the fruitlets in late spring.
As with all pears, it is important to get the time of picking right. Unlike apples, which are usually best if left to ripen on the tree, pears should be picked under-ripe and then ripened indoors (or in a fridge). In the UK Doyenne du Comice is generally ready to pick in early to mid October.
Inspite of its somewhat fussy requirements, Comice is quite resistant to fireblight, one of the main diseases of pears.
History
Raised in the garden of the Comice Horticole, in the town of Angers in the Loire valley, France, during the mid-19th century.
Doyenne du Comice characteristics
- Gardening skillExperienced
- Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
- Flowering group4
- Pollinating othersPoor
- Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
- Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates
- Picking seasonLate
- CroppingLight
- Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
- Food usesEating fresh
- Disease resistanceAverage
- Scab (Apple and Pear)Some susceptibility
- Powdery mildewSome susceptibility
- Fire blightSome resistance
- Country of originFrance
- Period of origin1850 - 1899
- Blossom colourWhite
- Fruit colourGreen - light
- AwardsRHS AGM (current)
British-grown trees 
Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK.
Find out more.
In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance.
Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards
for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK.
Find out more
Guaranteed fruit trees
When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions.
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