This variety has been grown on Wildhorse Island in Flathead Lake for over one hundred years. One of the most cold hardy of all European pears, Flemish Beauty does well in zone 3 sites (-30F to -40F). A Belgian pear, Flemish Beauty is medium to large and with a round shape, yellow skin and an attractive red blush. We mainly eat them fresh but they can be great for drying. Some have reported fungal issues in wetter climates although we have not had this issue in Montana. Our Flemish Beauty’s are grafted onto scab/fireblight resistant OFxF87 rootstock, although it is up for debate the extent at which this disease resistance is imparted into the overstock/scion. I think the fact that we have not seen fungal issues on Flemish Beauty in Montana is more a function of our drier climate. As is the case with all fruit trees but especially pears (and even more especially Flemish Beauty), purchase limb spreaders to discourage its pyriform, vertical limb growth as this will get more sunlight into the tree and help prevent fungal diseases. These pears are hardy to -40F. If you are in an area that sees below -40F temps, then stayed tuned for next year as we will have Russian pears and others that can withstand -50F temps.

These Flemish Beauty Pears come in multiple sizes but all are grafted onto OHxF87, which we have found to be hardy to -40F if not -45F.