Medlar

Grafted medlars often produce a first crop within three to four years, which is not bad for such an unusual fruit. The fruit needs "bletting" — leaving it to soften after the first frost until the flesh turns brown and soft, almost like fruit butter. This puts some people off, but bletted medlar has a wonderful, complex flavour reminiscent of apple butter with spice. The tree itself is beautiful, with large white flowers, good autumn colour, and an attractive spreading habit. Self-fertile and largely trouble-free.