Summer 2025Pre-order now for delivery September onwards.
Tel. 01759 392007

Doyenne du Comice pear trees

Pyrus communis
Doyenne du Comice has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritDoyenne du Comice is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Awards: RHS AGM (current) 1993

Comice is widely considered to have the best flavour of any pear. It has both the characteristic "melting" flesh of the highest quality pear varieties, along with a sweet richness and delicacy which others can't quite attain.

Although originating from France it was well-known in England by the late 19th century and the Victorian author Robert Hogg records several letters from fellow enthusiasts praising its "surpassing flavour".

Doyenne du Comice pear trees for sale

Pot-grown

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

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

  • PG12-year bush-trained 11.5L pot-grown tree, Quince Eline rootstock£63.00
    Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • PG2Premium cordon 12L pot-grown tree, Quince Eline rootstock£62.50
    Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
  • PG32-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree, Quince A rootstock£58.75
    Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • PG4Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree, Quince A rootstock£64.50
    Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree,Quince Eline rootstock£39.75
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR22-year bush-trained bare-root tree,Quince Eline rootstock£47.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR3Cordon-trained bare-root tree,Quince Eline rootstock£49.00
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR41-year bare-root tree,Quince A rootstock£38.25
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR52-year bush-trained bare-root tree,Quince A rootstock£47.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR62-year half-standard bare-root tree,Quince A rootstock£48.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR71-year bare-root tree,Pyrodwarf rootstock£40.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR82-year bare-root tree,Pyrodwarf rootstock£49.00
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)

Need help? Ask our fruit tree experts

Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.

Tree specification

Photos of trees as supplied | Tree sizes and forms

Pre-ordering

Pre-order now for delivery in September 2025

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Growing and Training

As befits such a refined pear, Doyenne du Comice needs to be grown in a sheltered south-facing situation, and it does best in the drier climate of the south or east side of the UK. Espalier or fan-training against a south-facing wall is the ideal.

The other important consideration with Comice is that it needs a reliable pollination partner nearby, as the shape of its flowers makes it difficult for successful pollination to occur. Conference is a good choice as it is a naturally good pollinator and flowers just 3-4 days ahead of Comice, as are Gorham or Williams or Beth - the latter works well with Doyenne du Comice because they have separate fruiting seasons.

The fruit size is relatively large by pear standards - provided you thin the fruitlets in late spring.

As with all pears, it is important to get the time of picking right. Unlike apples, which are usually best if left to ripen on the tree, pears should be picked under-ripe and then ripened indoors (or in a fridge). In the UK Doyenne du Comice is generally ready to pick in early to mid October.

Inspite of its somewhat fussy requirements, Comice is quite resistant to fireblight, one of the main diseases of pears.

Recommended pollinators for Doyenne du Comice pear trees

Doyenne du Comice is not self-fertile and is also a poor pollinator of other varieties. Ideally you need two other different but compatible varieties planted nearby in order to produce fruit, or one compatible self-fertile variety. The following varieties are good pollinators for Doyenne du Comice. If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us. More pollinators >

  • Pollinator Conference
    Conference
    Conference is a popular and reliable English pear, well-suited to the UK climate.
  • Pollinator Williams
    Williams
    Williams is a classic English pear, also known as Bartlett, with good flavour and quite easy to grow.
  • Pollinator Beth
    Beth
    An easy and reliable early-season pear, with a very good melting flavour.
  • Pollinator Sensation
    Sensation
    A red-coloured sport of the popular Williams pear, with a similar good flavour.
  • Pollinator Obelisk
    Obelisk
    A useful dwarf pear tree for small gardens, it grows with a tidy upright habit and is self-fertile.
  • Pollinator Santa Claus
    Santa Claus
    As the name suggests, Santa Claus is a late ripening dessert pear which keeps until Christmas.
  • Pollinator Winter Nelis
    Winter Nelis
    A late-season dessert pear from Belgium, with an excellent sweet flavour.
  • Pollinator Fondante d'Automne
    Fondante d'Automne
    An old fashioned French pear with a notably sweet flavour.

History

Raised in the garden of the Comice Horticole, in the town of Angers in the Loire valley, France, during the mid-19th century.


Doyenne du Comice characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillExperienced
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersPoor
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingLight
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • Food usesEating fresh

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Scab (Apple and Pear)Some susceptibility
  • Powdery mildewSome susceptibility
  • Fire blightSome resistance

Identification

  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourGreen - light
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current)

British-grown trees Trees grown in the UK.

Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.

In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK. Find out more.

Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden while it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund, subject to some conditions. Find out more.


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