Royal

Medlar

Size

Medium (~1.5 in.); some UK sources call it one of the largest-fruited medlars relative to other UK cultivars

Shape

Round to slightly elongated-round; russet-brown to dark nut-brown skin at ripeness

Flavor

Sweet-tart, rich, cinnamon-spiced apple-butter flavor once bletted

Texture

Smooth; creamy once bletted

Ripening window

Late season - matures mid-late October into early November, later than some other medlar cultivars; requires the same post-frost bletting as Breda Giant

Best uses

Fresh eating (spooned out) once bletted; mainly used for cooking - jelly, preserves, sauce

Pollination

Self-fertile, though a second medlar variety nearby (e.g. Breda Giant) improves crop size and consistency

Tree size

8-12 ft, naturally compact/dwarfing - the most compact medlar cultivar among sources reviewed; spreading, irregular, zig-zag-branched form

Notes

Sources disagree on origin - one nursery describes it as English, another (Bean's Trees and Shrubs Online) says Dutch; treated as unconfirmed here. Chill requirement ~400 hours - a good fit for zone 8a, but in warm zones like 8b, afternoon shade is specifically recommended to prevent fruit sunscald - worth applying that same caution at Oak Point. Like all medlars, fruit is inedible fresh - it must "blet" (soften and partially break down after frost) before eating. Begins bearing in 2-3 years, 20+ lb/year at maturity, but can take 10-20 years to reach full productivity per the RHS - a notable long-term investment. Don't confuse with the similarly-discussed "Nottingham" medlar, a separate, smaller-fruited cultivar often compared alongside it.