Doyenne du Comice pear

Pyrus communis

Often considered the best-flavored of all pears, with juicy melting buttery flesh.

Doyenne du Comice pear identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Doyenne du Comice

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Offspring of this variety

Concorde
Moonglow(distant descendant)

Visitor reviews

26 Nov 2016 MikeOH, United States
Great tasting and juicy pear. You must let them sit and ripen for about a month if you grow them yourself. These are the Henry & David pear they sell under their own name of Royal Riviera pears.

United States

Larry Landis in CORVALLIS, OREGON
Linda Quibell in Clinton, WA
Richard Smith in PLYMOUTH, MA
Tom Scampoli in NORTH PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

United Kingdom

Anna in COTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Anne Roberts in Cambridge, CAMBRIDGE
Anthony Payne in Bath,
Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
Brian Heaney in NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, TYNE AND WEAR
Claire in LANCASTER, LANCASHIRE
Colin Bowen in LONDON,
Conrad Maloney in CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Dave Hoare in HADDENHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Dominic in Wednesbury,
Edward Evans in MANNINGTREE, SUFFOLK
Euan Cameron in LARBERT,
Fraser Howorth in TROWBRIDGE, WILTSHIRE
Graeme Stockdale in Pilsley, Chesterfield, DERBYSHIRE
Ian Crook in Edinburgh, LOTHIAN
Jonathan Gubb in Uffculme, DEVON
Lynn Pilley in NORTHAMPTON,
Michelle in London,
Mike Wicken in Camberley, COUNTY (OPTIONAL)
Saffron Nicholson in Freuchie, FIFE
Sedgie in SALTBURN BY THE SEA, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Susan.Boothby@Gmail.Com in Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
Tamas Geleta in UCKFIELD,
Wayne Seagate in Watlington, NORFOLK
Will Davenport in Crowborough, EAST SUSSEX

Greece

Xenophon Alexopoulos in Gardiki Souliou, THESPROTIA

Ireland

James A Nolan in Glynn, WEXFORD
Sean Cremin in NEWCASTLE WEST,

New Zealand

Robert Mcbride in TAPANUI, OTAGO

Spring blossom records for this variety

2025 season

6th April 2025 - tree owned by Wayne in Watlington, United Kingdom

2022 season

16th April 2022 - tree owned by James in Glynn, Ireland

2020 season

10th April 2020 - tree owned by James in Glynn, Ireland

Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.

Origins

Species: Pyrus communis - Pear
Originates from: Angers, France
Introduced: 1840s
Developed by: Horticultural Society of Maine et Loire
UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1968-079

Identification

Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Country of origin: France
Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
Fruit colour: Green - light
Flower colour: White
Leaf colour: Green
Popularity: Best sellers
Annual cycle: Deciduous
Fruit size: Large

Using

Picking season: Late
Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
Flavour quality: Exceptional
Cropping: Light
Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
Food uses: Eating fresh
Picking period: mid-October
Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing

Gardening skill: Experienced
Flowering group: 4
Pollinating others: Poor
Ploidy: Diploid
Vigour: Vigorous
Bearing regularity: Regular
Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

Climate

Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
Climate suitability: Temperate climates
Climate suitability: Warm climates
Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)

Other qualities

Disease resistance: Average
Fire blight: Some resistance
Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
Powdery mildew: Some susceptibility

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Doyenne du Comice pear trees for sale:

Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Doyenne du Comice pear trees
Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Doyenne du Comice pear trees

References

Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon
The Book of Pears (2015)
Author: Morgan
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