Overwintering guide
How to overwinter bosc pear
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills bosc pear in winter
Cutting bosc pear hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More bosc pear care
- Overwintering european pear — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering bosc pear — our other guide for the same plant
- Full bosc pear care guide
- Bosc pear temperature range
- How often to water bosc pear
- How to prune bosc pear
- Common bosc pear problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering bosc pear — FAQ
Does bosc pear need to come indoors for winter?
Bosc pear is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Bosc pear is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move bosc pear for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water bosc pear in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills bosc pear over winter?
Cutting bosc pear hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.