(Louise Bonne of Jersey, Louise d'Avranches)
Louise Bonne is an old French pear variety, with a modern "bi-coloured" appearance - the yellow/green skin usually has an attractive red flush. As a bonus the blossom is also more attractive than most pear varieties (and has some resistance to frost damage).
Louise Bonne was rated by the Victorian fruit enthusiast Robert Hogg as "A most delicious pear". The flesh is sweet and melting, with a pronounced pear flavour.
Judging the right time to pick can be tricky, but keep a close eye on it from late August onwards and pick the pears when they are flushed but still quite hard - then ripen in a fruit bowl.
Next deliveries: January - February 2025
Let me know when Louise Bonne pear trees are back in stock.
If you do not hear from us by March you can contact us to pre-order for next autumn.
Louise Bonne is a reliable cropper and can be grown in most situations as long as it gets shelter and full sun.
This pear originated in Avranches, Normandy, France in the 1780s, where it was known as Bonne Louise or Louise d'Avranches. It was soon taken to Jersey in the nearby Channel Islands, and from there became popular in Victorian England, where it was known as Louise Bonne de Jersey.
