Devoe: Blossom

Another favourite early is Devoe, another Canadian cultivar with excellent all round qualities. I have one trained as a stepover, and another budded on to a rather recalcitrant Dr Jules Guyot which has only produced fruit a couple of times in the decade since it was planted.

Again, compact, free-spurring growth with beautiful round, white early blossom, averaging about 12 infloresences per panicle. I have read it is susceptible to fireblight, but it's well worth taking the risk. First blossoms opened on April 1 this year; full bloom by April 5th;   last blossoms finishing 24 th April, rather longer than any other variety this year!