Pear Beth An early to mid-season dessert pear, Pyrus communis Beth is a cross between pears Beurre Surfin and William’s Bon Chretien. The fruit is small with a rather irregular conical shape, with yellowish-green skin, sometimes tinged pink on the side facing the sun. The white flesh is sweet, melting and juicy, with a wonderful rich flavour, reminiscent of the finest French pears. It is not a pear for cooking, as it tends to disintegrate with heat. The tree has an upright habit, and will need pruning to an outward-facing bud to encourage more open growth. It’s a fairly compact spur-bearer, early into bearing, and a heavy, reliable cropper. Thin pears in June if necessary. The fruit is picked before it is ripe, and is ready when it tastes sweet but is still firm; pears are ripened indoors until they are perfect for eating. Pear Beth holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Site: Sheltered, sunny siteSoil: Fertile, deep, well-drained, neutral soilPosition: Full sun; avoid frost pocketsPick: From late August to early SeptemberKeep: SeptemberHardiness: HardyPollination: Pollination Group 3; good pollinator for other pearsUses: Eating