- Botanical name: Mespilus germanica
- Common name: Medlar
- Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Fruit, Deciduous
White
- Key features:
- Fruits
- Attractive to wildlife
A wide spreading small tree, medlar, Mespilus germanica, is grown for its large, russet-brown unusual-shaped fruit, which is commonly used to make jams and jellies. The fruit is an acquired taste – tart if eaten raw but if allowed to become so ripe that it has started to decay, the flavour is similar to toffee apples.
Mespilus germanica is perfect for growing in a cottage garden, particularly with an underplanting of spring bulbs, which complement its white flowers. Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
How to grow Mespilus germanica
-
Plant size
6m height
8m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do Prune in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do not Harvest in August |
S
Do not Harvest in September |
O
Do Harvest in October |
N
Do Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Mespilus germanica and wildlife
Mespilus germanica is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Mespilus germanica poisonous?
Mespilus germanica has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
