Medlar Mespilus germanica L. belongs to the rosacea family Rosaceae. It grows naturally in Central and Minor Asia and the Caucasus. In Mediterranean countries, already 3 thousand. years ago, and after them it "settled" also in France, Germany and England. Today it is found in single ornamental copies in parks and gardens in Southern and Western Europe.
Common medlar is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 5 m.It has an interesting habit, creating a broad, usually low-set, umbrella-like crown. The leaves are large, lanceolate, glossy green or yellow, silver-striped, finely serrated, white-mossy underneath, turning yellow in autumn.
Flowers are self-pollinating, large, up to 5 cm in diameter, 5-lobed, white or cream, growing singly at the top of almost all shoots. They bloom at the turn of May and June, which is beneficial in our conditions, as it allows to avoid damage caused by spring frosts.
The medullary produces spherical or pear-shaped fruits up to 4 cm in diameter, with preserved calyx sepals at the apex, which do not dry out after flowering. They develop with fruit, reaching up to 3 cm in length in some varieties.
The fruits are small, green-yellow or brown in color, sometimes with a slight red blush, resembling small apples or wild pears. They are hard and tart, and cannot be eaten straight from the tree. They are harvested after the leaves have fallen, just before the frosts or right after the first frosts, and stored in a cool place. The flesh of ripe fruit is dark and its texture resembles a baked apple, it has a sweet and sour taste and an intense aroma.It contains significant amounts of tannins supporting the functioning of the intestines, sugars, organic acids, pectins, mineral s alts and vitamin C, which make them a valuable variety to our diet. The fruit can be eaten raw or processed as the main ingredient or addition to jams, preserves and compotes.
Medlar grows best in slightly moist, well-sunny positions, which favor the development of larger fruits. It requires good and fertile soils, it may freeze partially during severe winters.
We keep young trees near the stakes, in the first years we cover them before winter. The plant does not require special pruning, only the removal of dried or diseased twigs. The bush is propagated generatively from seeds, and large-fruited types vegetatively propagate by grafting or budding on hawthorn, pear and quince rootstocks. Medieval medulla is perfect for planting green areas, parks, gardens and plots.
Valuable medlar varieties
The most valuable varieties of medulla are:
'Dutch Giant'- also known as' Dutch Big Fruits 'Very fertile, old variety. The first fruiting is observed in very young, even two-year-old plants, and the tree itself grows quite strongly. The fruit is large, up to 5 cm in diameter, slightly flattened, tasty. The leaves of this variety resemble bay leaves.
'Nottingham ’ - a variety bred in 1850 in England, a tall shrub or a small tree. Fruits are small, 3-4 cm long, very decorative due to the long sepals, extremely tasty.
'Royal'- an intermediate variety compared to the two above-mentioned with average growth, fruit and flavor.
'Stoneless'- fruit 2 cm in diameter, seedless, very tasty and intended for long storage.
Süssmispel ‘ - a variety with medium-sized fruit, very tasty, suitable for consumption without frosting, containing the largest amount of sugar.
