Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Ussurian Pear

Description:

The hardiest of the ornamental pears, smothered in clouds of showy white flowers in spring, good fall color and symmetrically upright-oval shape; sparse fruit production makes for lower maintenance, very resistant to fireblight

Ornamental Features

Mountain Frost Pear is blanketed in stunning clusters of white flowers with purple anthers along the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive shell pink flower buds. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy oval leaves turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall. The fruits are showy yellow pomes displayed in early fall. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape Attributes

Mountain Frost Pear is a dense deciduous tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. 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

Mountain Frost Pear is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Mountain Frost Pear will grow to be about 30 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 70 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. 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.