University of Minnesota,1934. The fruits are medium-sized, green, and often develop a slight red blush on the sunny side of the fruit. While most pears need to be picked at the green/ripe stage and then slow ripened off the tree, Parker is okay when picked fully tree-ripened as it does not have many issues with core rot like other pear varieties. Picking at the green/ripe stage is best to maximize storage.
MNRC – Recognized for many years as the hardiest pear from the University of Minnesota, released in 1985. Free of fireblight. An annual bearer. Fruit is pyriform in shape, 2.5-3″ in diameter and 3-3.5″ long. Blooms early in May. The fruit should be harvested in mid-August when crisp and still green with a red blush. Fruit harvested at that time is sweet and crisp, and may be stored up to 2 months. Use either ‘Parker’ or ‘Patten’ as pollinator.
Fruit is green-yellow, very juicy, and approximately 2 in diameter. Has sturdy branching. Good for eating and canning. Developed in 1978 at Morden Research Station. Approximate ripening date is August 15. Use Golden Spice as pollinator.
Blue European Plum. Good eaten off tree. Excellent for dessert, jam, and preserves. Tender, juicy flesh. Considered the best blue cultivar in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Good dessert plum. Yellow flesh, sweet and juicy. Large-size, pointed fruit.
Red – ‘Burbank’ x ‘Kaga’ (P. simonii) 1933. Released by the University of Minnesota. One of the best plums on the market. Large fruit with dark red skin. Good for fresh eating, jam and jelly. Flesh is yellow, sweet and juicy. Heavy bearing. Often sets fruit the first year. Use ‘Toka’ for pollination.
Red – South Dakota Experiment Station introduction, 1911. One of the best pollinators. A medium-sized, richly flavored variety with beautiful apricot color.
Very large berries with fine, mild flavor. Fruit quality is improved over Heritage, and Autumn Bliss produces fewer root suckers than Heritage.
Bears fruit after 1 year. Medium sized berries, is winter hardy, and is great for freezing and jams. Aromatic and sweet flavor.
The classic Heritage is the best fall crop selection! This ever-bearing vine produces a moderate summer crop, followed by an abundant fall harvest of sweet berries. Unlike some, the fruit will not fall to pieces if picking is delayed a day or two; it stays firm and juicy. Excellent flavor for eating fresh or in jams. Deciduous.
Bears fruit after 1 year. Medium to large size berries, great for commercial and home use. Is winter hardy.
