Though popular in Europe in the Middle Ages, medlars have been out of favor for a very long time. Medlars (Mespilus germanica) are members of the rose family along with pears, apples and quince, and ...

The French call the medlar tree, cul de chien (translation: dog’s arse). Shakespeare called their fruits “open-arse”. And in a poem, DH Lawrence called medlars "autumnal excrementa". If you’re getting ...

Q I have a healthy and fruitful “Royal” medlar (Mespilus germanica). When can I pick its fruits? They are full size by October, but they stay too hard for eating. Any suggestions? — Mariella Potter, ...

Question: I love to grow unusual varieties of fruits and vegetables. Can you recommend any fruit trees that would grow well in our area and whose fruit is not readily available in grocery stores or ...

I am always looking for something to add interest to the pan juices from the Sunday roast. Something to introduce richness to a simple gravy or a knife-edge to juices that are too fatty or cloying.