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Santa Claus pear trees

Pyrus communis
Santa Claus is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Very late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 4
As the name suggests, Santa Claus is a late ripening dessert pear which keeps until Christmas.

Santa Claus pear trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree Quince A rootstock £56.25
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree Pyrodwarf rootstock £40.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 11th December onwards where these items are showing as in stock.

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.

Santa Claus is a late-season dessert pear or winter pear. It is usually picked in October and then allowed to ripen in storage for Christmas.

The pears are large, and heavily russeted, with a sweet juicy flesh.

Santa Claus also has some ornamental appeal - the spring blossom is attractive and the leaves take on fiery-red tints in the autumn.

How to grow

Santa Claus does best in a warm sheltered location. Cropping can be light in UK conditions.

Santa Claus is not self-fertile, but readily cross-pollinates with other late-flowering pears.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Santa Claus is thought to have originated from France in the 19th century. It was introduced to the RHS in the UK in 1905 by Colonel Brymer, who had obtained trees from Belgium.

Santa Claus characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates
  • WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators

Using

  • Picking monthOctober
  • Picking seasonVery late
  • CroppingLight
  • Keeping (of fruit)3 months or more
  • Food usesEating fresh

Problems

  • Disease resistanceGood
  • ScabVery resistant

Identification

  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourGreen - lightRusset
  • Fruit sizeLarge
  • Flesh colourWhite