Plant Library

Other Names:  Callery Pear

Description:

A rigidly columnar accent tree covered in attractive white flowers in spring followed by small inedible fruit, good fall color, symmetrical form is very ornamental, makes a great vertical accent; resistant to fireblight, tends to broaden with age

Ornamental Features

Cleveland Select Ornamental Pear is draped in stunning clusters of white flowers with purple anthers along the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy heart-shaped leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. The fruits are showy yellow pomes displayed in late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Cleveland Select Ornamental Pear is a dense deciduous tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy

Cleveland Select Ornamental Pear is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Cleveland Select Ornamental Pear will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.