Maxie is a hybrid pear that brings together the best of two worlds: the beloved Bartlett flavor of European pears with the crisp, juicy bite of Asian varieties. This cross between Max Red Bartlett and Nijisseki produces round fruit with a beautiful orange-red skin that ripens in September. Growing 14 to 22 feet tall, it thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 9 and requires full sun and moderate water. The payoff is fruit that delivers the honeyed sweetness gardeners expect from a Bartlett, but with the satisfying crunch and juice of an Asian pear.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
264in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Maxie delivers a rare combination: the complex Bartlett flavor that made European pears legendary, wrapped in the crisp texture and abundant juice of an Asian pear. The round, orange-red fruits mature in September and show excellent resistance to pear scab, a disease that defeats many pear growers. If you've been torn between the two pear traditions, this hybrid settles the debate by offering both.
Maxie pears are eaten fresh, where their crisp texture and honeyed flavor shine best. The firm flesh holds up well to slicing for fruit platters and salads, and the sweetness makes them equally at home eaten out of hand or paired with cheese. Their September ripening means they arrive at the tail end of summer fruit season, offering a bridge to fall desserts and preserves.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Maxie pears ripen in September. Harvest when the fruit reaches full size and shows the characteristic orange-red coloring. The flesh should yield slightly to gentle pressure, indicating it is ready to eat. Pears are best harvested when they reach mature size but may still be slightly firm; they will continue to soften after picking. Handle carefully to avoid bruising the delicate skin.
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“Maxie emerged from the breeding work that crossed Max Red Bartlett, a deep red sport of the classic Bartlett European pear, with Nijisseki, one of the most popular Asian pear varieties. This intentional cross aimed to capture the aromatic, honey-like depth that made Bartlett pears famous while incorporating the crisp, juicy texture and disease resistance that Asian pears bring to the orchard. The result is a pear that honors both parentage, combining decades of pear-breeding expertise into a single fruit.”