Vlezenbeek

Vlezenbeek is known for its pear cultivation. But did you know that there is a pear variety called Vlezenbeek. In the 19th century, this variety 'Vlezenbeek' first appeared in the catalogue of Professor Jean-Baptiste Van Mons Van Mons. He found this pear as a seedling in the orchards of Robijns around Inkendaal and was given the name 'Vlezenbeek'. Jean-Baptiste Van Mons Van Mons sent varieties to friends and colleagues all over the world. For example, the pear Vlezenbeek ended up in America (Massachusetts) but also in Edinburgh, London, Lyon and Berlin. In London around 1820 she stood out in the fruit collection of the renowned Royal Horticultural Society for her exceptional taste qualities. Since Van Mons had sent them without a name, the secretary Joseph Sabine of the Royal Horticultural Society named them after the then chairman Thompson and was thus wrongly given the name 'Thompsons Pear'. Fortunately, the synonym "Vlesembeek" always accompanied the pear name in the descriptions.

During a BBC report about the Gaasbeek Museum Garden, the managers of Wisley Gardens saw the Vlezenbeek municipal sign and made the link with the pear they had in their gardens. And so it came back to the region. In the museum garden there are already a few pears hanging on the slate shapes. The taste of the Vlezenbeek pears can undoubtedly compete with the well-known varieties such as Conference, Durondeau and Doyenné.

In the meantime, the Vlezenbeek pear was planted on domain 'Groenenberg' and the pear is therefore back home. The tree has also been given a place in the Museum Garden.

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