Bartlett's dependable, really quite good, versatile. You can do worse. I love Flemish Beauty and Gold Spice, Anjou, Bosc. Haven't tried to grow Comice.

Don't know about the pollination issue, as there are enough varieties on my single tree (about like Kurt's, from the sounds of things) that the bees have plenty to work with. Plus, there are other pears nearby.

I'm a little frustrated to read Kurt's mention of "Citron de Carmes". I'd never heard of it, and now I'm curious. Problem is that I was just telling my wife that I think I'm done adding new varieties to my pear ...

:-)M

Thanks for the the follow up's guys! I've had Bartlett's before and liked them, but those were store bought. so I know that the home grown pears will be much better, but if there was a chance for me to grow a better variety that just as hardy; I would most definitely do it.

I'd be fine if I just grew the Bartlett's, but it would be nice to have the better tasting variety.

Also depends on several variables, not the least of which is your particular taste. But location and the year are also key. A variety which does well in my location (arid west) might be horrid in yours. (But I think I'd choose Anjou over Bartlett.) Pears are notorious for being fussy about ripening conditions.

The good news and the bad news are the same: you won't really know until you try. Have fun!

I don't think Comice does at all well in the colder regions- it needs a long season and clear days to get up the sugar. Highland is a Comice type bred for shorter seasons, but I still don't think it compares to a west coast Comice. Anjou is unimpressive in cooler zones as well.

I think Harrow Sweet is an improvement on Bartlett- a bit sweeter and richer and also later, when I'm more in the mood for pears. Adams County Nursery has started selling it.

For an early pear, nothing is better in the north than Harrow Delight. I just don't at all feel like pears in August, when it ripens here.

The Harrow series were bred for northern conditions.

Kurt, thats interesting to hear your favorite variety is an obscure one. My favorite is also obscure, its one called Fondante des Moulins-Lille. Along with great taste it is super precocious and reliable. Many great pears were bred a long time ago when they were considered a more desirable fruit than they are today, and many of the best ones got lost in the dustbin of history.

Eliot, the Bartletts in the store can sometimes be very good, pears are picked when hard and cured so the early picking does not have the bad effect like with apples. The problem is they are often improperly picked or cured so the quality varies a lot. I would consider getting a different pear just for some variety, but if you only have those three to pick from the Bartlett is the one I would go for. Note that you could get many more varieties if you mail-ordered it. Hman is right about the Comice, that pear is too hard to grow.

Re: pollination, I don't know if Superior is self-fertile or not, there seems to be conflicting information on that one. If you had limited room you could plant two pears in one hole so they could pollinate each other.

Scott

So now I have two pears I've never heard of ... I guess that next year I'll have to find room for them.

Thanks, Guys!

:-)M

Has anyone tried Aurora? I was thinking of getting one next year based on the Cummins Nursery description: "Exceptionally high quality -- maybe the world's best. This is a dessert pear that has large, regular fruit. Keeps well in storage until December. Flesh is smooth, melting, and juicy, with a sweet aromatic flavor." Sounds promising.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aurora pear at Cummins Nursery

I have relatively obscure Pears as they are all summer bearers. I can't get the fall ones past the squirrels, but have no problems with summer (June & July) apples or pears.

Other good tasting summer pears are 'Butirra Precoce Morettini', 'Doyenne de Juillet', and 'Jiugnos'

thank guys! I guess if Bartlett is the best choice for my zone then that will be the one I get. Thank you again!

So is the Citron d' Carmes an early pear?

I looked that up earlier. :-)
Citron de Carmes is described as a "Very early pear" ripening in July in Santa Cruz, CA

Citron de Carmes (Madeleine) description at ARS/GRIN

Citron de Carmes at Tierra Madre Farm - no ratings on Garden Watchdog

I grow Aurora, but not in a part of my property that gets full sun and it doesn't get sweet enough there to be great. It's a lot like Highland in quality but fully russet and too early for my tastes. It's a beautiful pear, though.

I don't agree with Cummins on most of his picks. Jim got me interested in Long John which really is not very productive here and the quality is only good IMO.

Pineapple pear, the tree is 60 or more years old.
I hope to graft, air layer some buds this year.
My next tree is Moon Glow pear, it is only 8 years old.
But I hope to find another one here on this thread.

Thanks, Mary! I guess I coulda checked that myself. I'm also interested in the link, so thanks again.

:-)M