Want a tree that looks amazing all year round? Then you have to check out ornamental pear trees.
These beauties put on a spectacular display every season — white flowers in spring, glossy green foliage in summer, a blaze of autumn colours, and elegant bare branches in winter.
Ornamental pear trees are originally from Asia, but they’re widely loved everywhere, including right here in Australia.
Plant an ornamental pear or two, and you’ll have a lovely pear-adise right outside your window!
Ornamental Pear Tree Varieties | When to Plant | Growing Conditions | Spacing | How to Plant | Care | Underplanting
Getting Pear-sonal: About Ornamental Pear Trees
The ornamental pear tree is also known as Pyrus calleryana. It’s a hardy, medium-sized deciduous tree that offers year-round interest.
Depending on the variety, ornamental pear trees can grow 6-15m tall and 2-8m wide, with columnar, cone-like, rounded, or teardrop-shaped foliage.
In spring, P. calleryana blossoms into profuse flurries of delicate, five-petaled white flowers resembling a blanket of snow.
Be warned, though — the flowers smell quite bad. Many describe the scent as bleach-like and fishy, but it’s enticing to pollinators like honey bees and beetles.
Throughout summer, ornamental pear trees flaunt lush foliage of oval-shaped, glossy green leaves hanging vertically from the branches.
Come autumn, the leaves transition into unpredictable hues of oranges, reds, and yellows. The colours can change every year and surprise you!
Most ornamental pears shed their leaves in winter to reveal bare, elegant branches with varying growth patterns.
Note: Ornamental pears are not considered invasive in Australia, but some varieties — like the Bradford pear — can spread easily.
Watch for signs of unwanted growth, such as seedlings and root sprouts near your trees.
Common vs. ornamental pear trees
Don’t confuse ornamental pears with common pears (those that produce fleshy, juicy pears found in supermarkets)!
Like ornamental pears, common pear trees are from the Pyrus genus. They’re known as P. communis and are grown for their sweet, harvestable fruits.
In contrast, ornamental pears are mainly planted for decorative purposes.
They do produce fruits, but these are a lot smaller, just around 2.5cm in diameter. Plus, they’re not eaten by humans because they are hard and have an astringent taste.
Ornamental pear tree uses
Ornamental pear trees make a stunning feature tree in any landscape with their elegant, symmetrical shape.
Their upright form also makes them perfect for street planting and beautifying entrances and driveways.
When planted closely together, ornamental pears form a thick hedge or a privacy screen that blocks unwanted views.
Some gardeners pleach ornamental pear hedges. This process involves trimming and shaping the foliage for a more structured, formal appearance.
Ornamental pear trees also give dappled shade and help balance local ecosystems by attracting pollinators and providing fruits for birds.
Popular Ornamental Pear Tree Varieties in Australia
There are several types of ornamental pear trees in Australia, so how do you choose which to plant?
Different shapes suit different aesthetic purposes. Columnar ornamental pears are great for lining driveways and streets.
Meanwhile, ornamental pears with broad, rounded foliage are best for creating privacy hedges — but do remember that most cultivars lose their leaves in winter.
Whatever your goal and location, there’s a pear-fect variety to match! Discover some of Australia’s most popular ornamental pear trees below.
Capital pear
Shape: Narrow and columnar
Size: 8-10m tall, 2-3m wide
Perfect for: Driveways and streets
The Capital pear stands out as the slimmest ornamental pear variety, making it a popular choice for lining driveways, roads, and walkways.
Capital pear trees can also be planted closely to create a privacy screen in compact spaces.
In autumn, their shiny dark green foliage turns reddish purple with hints of orange.
When the leaves fall in winter months, the Capital pear displays lean, vertically growing branches that give it an even narrower silhouette.
Cleveland Select pear
Shape: Teardrop
Size: 10-12m tall, 4-5m wide
Perfect for: Driveways and streets
The Cleveland Select pear, also known as ‘Chanticleer,’ boasts an iconic teardrop shape that’s pointy at the top and wider towards the base.
As one of the narrower ornamental pear trees, Cleveland Select works well for a formal avenue or in smaller gardens.
The Cleveland Select is among the earliest ornamental pears to flower in spring. Later, the heart-shaped, dark green leaves turn to gold or plum shades in autumn.
Everscreen pear
Shape: Wide teardrop
Size: 6-8m tall, 4m wide
Perfect for: Evergreen hedges and screens
Most ornamental pears are deciduous trees that drop their leaves in winter — but not Everscreen!
The Everscreen pear is known as ‘Winter Glow’ because of its lasting foliage. (It can lose its leaves in cooler areas like Victoria but only for about 5 weeks).
Since the leaves stay on throughout the year, Everscreen ornamental pears are ideal for creating a natural evergreen hedge or screen.
In warmer regions, Everscreen leaves remain green in autumn. But in cold climates, the leaves turn to subtle orange hues.
Manchurian pear
Shape: Wide and rounded
Size: 10-12m tall, 4-5m wide
Perfect for: Hedges and screens
The Manchurian pear (P. ussuriensis) is among the best ornamental pears for hedges and privacy screens because it grows tall and broad.
When young, Manchurian pears have a wide pyramid shape. As they mature, the upright trunk develops spreading branches that create beautifully rounded foliage.
They’re usually the first to bloom in spring. In autumn, the leaves change to a fantastic scarlet red but at times may delight with orange or golden colours.
In winter, the Manchurian pear’s bare branches reveal a unique horizontal growth pattern.
Snow pear
Shape: Rounded
Size: 8-10m tall, 5-8m wide
Perfect for: Hedges and screens
The Snow pear or P. nivalis stands out from other ornamental pears because of its pale grey-green leaves that give it a more textured appearance.
And unlike other ornamental pears, P. nivalis produces yellowish-green fruits that can be eaten. The small fruits have a mild sour taste.
As the Snow pear grows, its foliage becomes denser and more rounded — perfect for hedges and screens.
When to Plant Ornamental Pear Trees in Australia
The best time to plant ornamental pear trees in Australia is late winter or early spring as they come out of dormancy. However, they can be planted year-round.
You can also plant ornamental pear trees in autumn to let them establish their roots before the summer heat sets in.
Planting in summer could still work, but you’ll need to be extra diligent with watering to keep the tree healthy.
Growing Needs of Ornamental Pear Trees
Ornamental pear trees are tough and low-maintenance.
They’re hardy enough to handle urban pollution, but some extra care goes a long way in helping them thrive.
Climate
Ornamental pear trees prefer cool temperate regions and are frost-tolerant.
However, they’re versatile and can manage well even in warm temperate areas, making them a common sight across Australia.
You can find ornamental pears in southeast Australia, particularly in VIC and NSW, but they’re also grown in QLD, SA, and WA.
Location
Plant your ornamental pear tree where it can receive full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
While ornamental pears can grow in partial shade, direct sunlight helps them produce those lovely white flowers in spring.
Pick a spot that’s protected from strong winds, so those delicate blooms aren’t blown away once they appear.
Soil
Ornamental pears do best in rich, well-drained soil — preferably sandy loam.
However, they’re adaptable to various soil types (they can even survive in clay!) as long as drainage is good. They also tolerate a range of soil pH, from acidic to alkaline.
Before planting, mix in some organic matter or compost to give your ornamental pear tree a strong start.
How Far Apart to Plant Ornamental Pear Trees
When deciding how far apart to plant ornamental pear trees, consider the landscape design you’re after and the trees’ mature size.
Refer to this ornamental pear tree spacing chart for a quick guide:
| Purpose | Suitable Varieties | Mature Size | Planting Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avenue look for driveways and entrances | Capital | 8-10m tall; 2-3m wide | 2-3m |
| Cleveland Select | 10-12m tall; 4-5m wide | 4-5m | |
| Hedging and screening | Everscreen | 6-8m tall; 4m wide | 2-2.5m |
| Manchurian | 10-12m tall; 4-5m wide | 2-2.5m | |
| Snow Pear | 8-10m tall; 5-8m wide | 3-3.5m |
When planting ornamental pears along driveways and entrances, you can stick to the recommended spacing above.
However, feel free to widen the gap if you want to see between the trees or simply like a more open space.
For hedges and privacy screens, plant ornamental pear trees close together so the branches can intertwine as they grow.
This compact arrangement forms a thick hedge or screen that no one can see through.
It also sets the stage for pleaching later on, which adds a formal touch to your garden.
For a more refined and structured look, it’s best to hire a professional hedge trimmer to pleach and maintain your ornamental pear hedges.
How to Plant an Ornamental Pear Tree
Ornamental pear trees are usually sold with the root ball in a bag, ready for transplanting.
Start by choosing a healthy tree from a local nursery — look for vibrant green leaves and sturdy branches.
Gently take the ornamental pear out of its container, shake out the soil, and loosen any tangled roots.
Dig a hole slightly wider than the tree’s root ball and deep enough to cover all the roots.
Next, lower the ornamental pear tree into the hole — make sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Backfill with soil and gently pat the ground.
If the area is windy, provide support by staking. Drive two or three stakes outside the root ball, then loosely tie the trunk with soft straps.
Water your newly planted ornamental pear thoroughly to help the roots settle. Mulch around the base but away from the trunk.
How to Care for Ornamental Pear Trees
To prevent ornamental pear tree problems, start with proper care!
Fortunately, these trees are resilient, so maintaining them is fairly straightforward.
Watering
Water your newly planted ornamental pear tree regularly, especially in its first year, so that it can grow a strong root system.
Once established, ornamental pear trees are quite drought-tolerant. Still, they’ll appreciate the occasional deep watering during long dry spells.
This also helps them produce abundant masses of white flowers.
However, avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Stick your finger about 5cm into the soil near the base of the tree — if it feels dry, it’s time to water!
Fertilising
Feed your ornamental pear tree with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser in early spring. This helps the tree grow healthy foliage and flowers.
Fertilising is also helpful if you notice signs of nutrient deficiency, like slow growth, yellowing leaves, or sparse blooms.
Pruning
The best time to prune the ornamental pear tree is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Light pruning is usually sufficient to manage their size, as ornamental pears tend to retain their shape while growing.
Remove any crossing, damaged, or dead branches to improve air circulation and prevent disease.
Avoid heavy pruning, as this can stress your ornamental pear and make it more susceptible to diseases and pests.
What to Plant Under an Ornamental Pear Tree
Planting under an ornamental pear tree is a great way to cover the bare ground around the trunk and create an even prettier landscape.
If you’re after a flowering ground cover, Australian natives like violets (Viola hederacea) and Correa are lovely options.
Foliage plants like coral bells and hostas also pair well with ornamental pears. When planted beneath the trees, they can make your garden look fuller.
Just remember to choose low-growing varieties that can thrive in the same climate and soil type.
Also, make sure that the plants can grow in some shade or dappled sunlight, have non-invasive roots, and have similar watering needs as the ornamental pear.
FAQs
Discover more about the beautiful ornamental pear tree below!
Which ornamental pear tree is best?
Many consider the Capital pear as the best ornamental pear, as it’s commonly used in avenue planting.
However, the best ornamental pear for you depends on your landscaping goals, so choose the one that best matches your preferences!
For instance, the Everscreen pear is a medium-sized tree that’s excellent for creating a natural evergreen screen or hedge, as it keeps its leaves year-round in warm regions.
Meanwhile, the Snow pear’s silvery green leaves and edible fruits set it apart from other ornamental pears.
What is the lifespan of an ornamental pear tree?
An ornamental pear tree typically lives 15-25 years, but some varieties may last a bit longer or shorter.
Harsh weather and poor care can cut its lifespan short.
How fast does an ornamental pear tree grow?
Ornamental pear trees are fast-growing. They can add 75cm of growth per year, or even more!
You can do some light pruning to keep your trees at a manageable height.
Is there a dwarf ornamental pear tree?
Yes, there are dwarf ornamental pear trees, which can grow about 3-6m tall and are best for smaller gardens and pots.
Examples are:
- Pyrus Festivity, a dwarf form of Manchurian pear
- Jack Dwarf Flowering Pear, which grows about 5m tall
- Mini Capital, a miniature version of the popular Capital pear
Dwarf ornamental pear trees offer all the beauty of the standard varieties, including brilliant white blooms and spectacular autumn foliage.
Do ornamental pear trees have invasive roots?
Yes, some ornamental pear trees — particularly the Bradford variety — can have invasive roots.
The ornamental pear’s strong root system can spread as wide as its foliage and shoot up suckers (new growth sprouting from the roots).
To avoid any issues, consult a gardening professional about installing root barriers during planting, and promptly remove any suckers that might show up.
