HoneyHQ

Medlar

Mespilus germanicaRosaceaeTree

A medieval orchard tree now grown mostly as a curiosity, carrying very large solitary white flowers in late spring and fruit that must be bletted — half-rotted by frost — before it is edible. Its flowers are among the largest and most accessible in any orchard, and it is one of the better small trees for solitary bees.

Value to bees

Nectar
High
Pollen
High
As a honey crop
Not a honey source
Which bees, and why
The very large open flowers are among the easiest in an orchard for solitary bees to work, and it flowers when mason bees are at their peak.

Very large open flowers with completely exposed nectaries.

Worth knowing
A good late-spring nectar and pollen source with exceptionally accessible flowers.

Flowering

In flower
May to June (northern hemisphere)

Late spring, after the main orchard blossom has finished.

Growing it

Conditions
Sun or light shade on almost any reasonable soil. Fully hardy and remarkably undemanding.
Size
4-6 m tall with a broad spreading habit.
Native range
Southwest Asia and southeastern Europe. Cultivated across Europe since Roman times.
Suits
Small gardens, Orchard, Large gardens
  • Self-fertile, so a single tree crops.
  • Fruit must be bletted — left until soft and brown, traditionally after the first frost — before it is edible.
  • Grafted onto quince or hawthorn rootstock, and slow-growing on either.

What it looks like

A small spreading crooked tree with large dark leaves and solitary white flowers up to 5 cm across, each with a ring of green sepals, followed by brown fruits with a distinctive open crown.

Sources

  • HoneyHQ editorial synthesis — HEKNO Ltd · HoneyHQ synthesis

How sources are selected and weighted is set out in the sources and evidence policy.

Guides covering this plant

Tools for planning planting

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