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Benita Rafzas® asian pear trees

Pyrus communis x Pyrus pyrifolia
  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 2
Benita Rafzas is an unusual cross between an Asian and European pear.

Benita Rafzas asian pear trees for sale

Sorry we have not produced any trees of this variety this season.

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95. It is calculated when you add trees to your basket, based on your postcode.

Benita Rafzas is an unusual hybrid pear, which combines the melting sweet flavours of a classic European pear with the crisp juicy texture of an Asian or "Nashi" pear.

As with all Asian pears, the fruits actually resemble golden yellow apples, sometimes with some russet. They also have the crunchy crispness of an apple.

In the UK Benita Rafzas is likely to ripen in late August and early September - around the same time as the well-known Williams pear. The fruits can be eaten fresh, or stored in a fridge for a month or so.

How to grow

Benita Rafzas is best treated as an Asian pear when it comes to caring for it in the garden. That means planting it in full sun and giving it plenty of space.

Cropping is generally very light in UK conditions.

It will cross-pollinate with both Asian and European pears which are in flower at the same time - it flowers near the start of the pear blossom season. It is cold-hardy and generally disease-free.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Benita Rafzas was developed from a late-flowering French pear (Pyrus communis) called General Leclerc, which is possibly related to the highly-regarded Doyenne du Comice. It was pollinated with the pollen of an Asian pear variety (Pyrus pyrifolia) called Hosui. It was raised by Peter Hauenstein of Rafz, Switzerland, in the 1980s. (He also developed the Rubinette apple, perhaps the best flavoured of all apples).

Benita Rafzas characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group2
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonEarly
  • CroppingLight
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
  • Food usesEating fresh

Problems

  • Disease resistanceGood

Identification

  • Country of originSwitzerland
  • Period of origin1950 - 1999
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourYellow
  • Flesh colourWhite

Similar varieties

  • See also Kumoi
    Kumoi
    One of the most popular Asian pears, with a firm flesh and sweet flavour.
  • See also Shinseiki
    Shinseiki
    This popular Asian pear variety is well suited to the UK climate, and produces crisp sweet-flavoured pears.