This is an upright tree that is precocious, moderately vigorous, and somewhat susceptible to fireblight.

A large pear with flesh that is juicy, honey-sweet and buttery, Paragon ranked highest in the "overall liking" category in a 2021 blind taste test of 23 varieties. Its two parents are Max Red Bartlett and Comice. From Red Bartlett it has its unassuming appearance (but with green-yellow skin) and from Comice it has its revelatory flavor that has been described by Richard Hilton of OSU as one that "washes over you like a wave at the Oregon coast." This pear will store for up to four months, and like most European pears, ripening should be completed off the tree. In this case, 14 days of post harvest chilling is recommended.

Paragon was developed by the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center from a cross made in the 1950's. This tree was originally named Yungen in honor of John A. Yungen, Professor Emeritus at OSU.