The willowleaf pear (Pyrus salicifolia) belongs to the Rosaceae family and occurs in its natural state in Europe, Asia and the Caucasus.This species is extremely decorative and attracts attention with its graceful, open-work foliage and early flowering.Plants are planted singly, in groups and on edges, and also create hedges.
Willowleaf pear - characteristics
The willowleaf pear is a deciduous shrub or tree most often grafted on a trunk. It grows up to 4-5 m in height.It has a wide ovoid crown and slender, overhanging shoots. The leaves are dark green, shiny, narrow and lanceolate. Young leaves and shoots are covered with a silvery cutter and they resemble willow leaves. Tiny white flowers appear in May and form paniculate inflorescences. The fruit on a short stalk are small, about 2 cm in diameter. They are hard and bitter, so they cannot be eaten.
The most common in gardens is the weeping willowleaf pear variety - Pendula.Its delicate shoots covered with silvery leaves fall to the ground, and its green fruits resemble small pears.
Willowleaf pear - cultivation
Willowleaf pear is very resistant to frost, air pollution and drought.Thanks to a strong root system, it will grow in both sandy and dense, heavier soil. It prefers moist, sandy-loam substrates with a slightly acidic reaction. The best position for this species will be sunny and sheltered from the wind.
Willowleaf pear seedlings should be planted in the fall or spring. We dig a hole with a size of 70x100 cm. At its bottom we build a small mound. We mix the obtained soil with compost or mature manure and sand in a ratio of 2: 1. We put the tree in place, straightening the roots on the mound. The root collar of the pear should be 6-7 cm above the soil level. Fill the empty space with the substrate. After compacting the soil, water the plant and mulch the root zone with peat or sawdust.
Willowleaf pear care is not complicated - watering, weeding, loosening, feeding and sanitary pruning - that's all it needs.
The tree copes well with water shortages, but it is best to water it 1-2 times, and during prolonged drought even 3-4 times a month. We fertilize every 2-3 years. On weak, barren soils, we feed the plants every year.
In winter, young trees are covered with non-woven agrotextile and the surrounding soil is mulched with a thick layer of humus or compost. Ripe specimens are more resistant to frost and endure Polish winters without any problems.
Willow pear: pruning
Willow pear responds well to pruning. The trees grafted on the trunk are easy to form, most often giving them a spherical shape. In the spring of each year, any branches that have withered, damaged or frozen should be trimmed. We also cut out the shoots growing out of the rootstock.
