How to Grow Medlar Nottingham
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Medlar Nottingham
Mespilus germanica 'Nottingham'
treeMedlar Nottingham is a cultivar of the common medlar, a small deciduous tree producing distinctive brown, apple-like fruits with a large open calyx. The fruit is inedible until 'bletted' (softened through frost or storage), after which it becomes a delicacy for jams and pastes. This historic English variety is prized for ornamental value, architectural form, and unique culinary potential.
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Example Medlar Nottingham timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Medlar Nottingham
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Medlar Nottingham
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8
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Establishment (Year 1-2)
2 yearsYoung tree focuses on root and branch development with sparse flowering and no fruit
Stake and tie securely; prune to establish open goblet shape; water regularly during dry spells; remove any flower buds to redirect energy to growth
Flowering (Spring, April-May)
3-4 weeksDelicate white to pale pink flowers bloom on branch tips, attractive to pollinators; flowers are self-fertile but benefit from cross-pollination
Ensure adequate moisture; thin flowers if exceptionally heavy set; protect from late frosts if possible; no pruning during flowering
Fruit Development (Summer, June-August)
8-10 weeksSmall fruit forms with characteristic large open calyx; fruits grow to 1-1.5 inches diameter, initially green then brown
Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart if heavy set to encourage larger fruit; maintain consistent moisture; apply balanced fertilizer if growth is slow
Ripening & Maturation (September-October)
6-8 weeksFruits mature to russet-brown color and hard texture; flesh remains astringent and inedible until bletted
Stop heavy watering as fruits mature; do not harvest until fully colored; monitor for pests and disease
Bletting & Harvest (November-January)
4-8 weeks depending on temperatureFruits naturally soften through frost (bletting) or are stored indoors until flesh becomes brown and soft, developing sweet flavor
Harvest when color deepens; store in cool place or expose to frost; use once fully bletted (texture like jam inside); use promptly as bletted fruit spoils quickly
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps for monitoring; apply neem oil or spinosad when larvae are active; remove and destroy infested fruit
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Remove affected fruit early; apply insecticidal soap if severe; encourage natural predators
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Spray with strong water jet; apply neem oil or horticultural soap; encourage ladybugs
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Ensure good air circulation through pruning; avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves; fungicide rarely necessary
Uses
Medlar jams and jellies
CulinaryThe primary culinary use; once bletted, medlar flesh is transformed into a distinctive spiced jam with a sweet-astringent flavor, traditionally paired with cheese. High pectin content requires minimal added sugar. [source]
Medlar paste (cheese)
CulinaryConcentrated reduction of bletted medlar pulp with spices creates a firm paste served as a dessert or cheese accompaniment, similar to quince paste. A medieval and Victorian delicacy. [source]
Digestive and astringent properties
MedicinalHistorically used in traditional herbal medicine to treat diarrhea and improve digestion; the tannins in unripe fruit provide astringent effects. Modern herbalists use medlar tea for digestive support. [source]
Natural dye and preservative
HouseholdMedlar fruit and leaves contain compounds that have been used historically for dyeing textiles and as a natural food preservative, particularly in traditional fermentation. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife support
WildlifeThe spring flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators; fruit provides food for birds and small mammals in autumn and winter when other food sources are scarce. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruit is fully colored (russet-brown) and hard, typically November-December. Pick by twisting gently off the branch. Store in cool place (50-60°F) or leave on tree exposed to frost. Fruit is ready to eat when flesh turns soft and brown (usually 2-4 weeks after picking or after frost exposure). Use bletted fruit immediately as it spoils within days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Medlar Nottingham is a historic cultivar documented in English gardens since the 16th century and is the most widely grown medlar variety in the UK.
- 🌱 The medlar's unusual large open calyx (resembling a crown) was believed by medieval herbalists to resemble female reproductive anatomy, earning it the folk name 'open-arse' in old English texts.
- 🌱 Medlar fruit cannot be eaten in its fresh state due to astringent tannins; the bletting process (softening through frost or ripening) converts these compounds into sweet, edible pulp—a unique form of fruit maturation.
Gardening Terms
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