Mount Vernon Asian Pear is a frost-hardy cultivar that thrives in maritime climates across zones 5, 9. This variety produces large, round cream-colored fruit with excellent flavor at mid-season ripeness, growing on trees that reach 14, 22 feet tall. Selected from open-pollinated seedlings at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon Experimental Station, it represents decades of careful evaluation to identify the finest Asian pear genetics for cool-climate growing.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
264in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Raintree Nursery selected this pear as the standout among many promising seedlings at the WSU Mt. Vernon station, a testament to its superior flavor and performance in maritime conditions. The large, round, pale-cream fruit ripens at mid-season with a sweetness that reflects careful breeding work in the Pacific Northwest. Its frost-hardy nature makes it one of the few Asian pears truly comfortable in colder zones, reaching 5, 9.
As an edible pear, Mount Vernon Asian Pear is grown for fresh eating, where its large, round fruit and excellent flavor shine. The creamy color and mid-season ripeness make it a reliable choice for gardeners in maritime regions who want to harvest fresh pears without traveling to warmer climates.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Mount Vernon Asian Pears ripen mid-season, typically in late summer. Harvest the large, round, cream-colored fruit when it reaches full size and begins to lighten in color; a gentle squeeze should reveal slight give. The pear should yield to pressure without being mushy. Pick carefully to avoid bruising the delicate flesh.
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“Mount Vernon Asian Pear emerged from the work done at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon Experimental Station, where researchers and horticulturists grew and evaluated numerous open-pollinated Asian pear seedlings. Raintree Nursery recognized its merit among this diverse collection and selected it for commercial propagation, bringing a regionally adapted pear to gardeners seeking reliable Asian pear production in cooler climates. The variety represents the intersection of WSU's plant improvement work and Raintree's commitment to offering tested, climate-appropriate varieties.”