Kieffer pears

The Kieffer pear is a culinary cultivar that does well in both hot and cold climates. In the fall, the trees produce a heavy crop of large, oval, greenish yellow pears with a red blush. The fruit is crisp and a little gritty, with a good flavor. Kieffer pears are best for canning and baking. They can be stored for up to three months. The Kieffer needs a pollination buddy such as Bartlett or Anjou. This cultivar is quite resistant to fire blight and has low chill hour requirements. If canning and baking is your thing, this could be a good fit for you.

Characteristics:

• Hardiness zones 4 to 9
• Standard tree grows 12 to 20 feet tall with an 8- to 20-foot spread
• Good for canning, baking
• Common names: Pear “Kieffer,” Kieffer Pear, Pyrus “Kieffer”

Have you grown Kieffer pears? Are they easy to tend and harvest? Please tell us about your experiences growing Kieffer pears.