Dwarf Medlar Plant Care

Dwarf Medlar (Azarolus chamaemespilus) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Azarolus genus. Dwarf Medlar is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees east through the Alps to the Carpathians and the Balkans, growing at elevations of up to 2500 m. Dwarf Medlar is also known as Alpine Medlar.

Dwarf Medlar displays a small deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Dwarf Medlar produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Dwarf Medlar every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Dwarf Medlar thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Azarolus chamaemespilus tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Dwarf Medlar prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Dwarf Medlar to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Dwarf Medlar every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Dwarf Medlar is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 7b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Dwarf Medlar can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Dwarf Medlar while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Dwarf Medlar is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Dwarf Medlar can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Dwarf Medlar is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Dwarf Medlar grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Dwarf Medlar is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, from the Pyrenees east through the Alps to the Carpathians and the Balkans, growing at elevations of up to 2500 m.