Pyrus communis ‘Forelle’

The Tradescants were 17th century gardeners who introduced many new plants to England. More than 160 varieties of fruit were listed amongst the inventory of plants grown at the Tradescants nursery in Lambeth, many of which are illustrated in the Orchard. The Garden Museum invited 40 of the worlds leading botanical artists to paint watercolours of fruit in response to the Orchard.

As a member of the botanical art group based at Brogdale National Fruit Collection, Pearl Bostock has access to an amazing collection of heritage fruit. Many of the old pears are being grubbed out at Brogdale and not all varieties will be re-grafted and grown on. This irreversible decision means that we are losing many of the old varieties in the name of demand for ‘modern’ varieties. Forelle is one of the traditional conical-shaped pears whose future is uncertain.