The pear is not only extremely decorative, but also bears delicious fruit. Here we show what you need to know about planting, caring for and harvesting.
Rock pear (Amelanchier) delight the gardener's heart all year round: In spring their lush white flowers shine in the garden, in summer the he althy fruits can be nibbled and in autumn they shine Leaves in all imaginable shades of red and orange. If you don't have a service pear in your garden yet, this article will provide you with all the information you need if you want to get one soon. Here we tell you everything about the origin, the varieties, the planting, care and harvesting of the popular shrub.
Rock pear belonged to the rose family (Rosaceae). The botanical genus name Amelanchier comes from the Franco-Breton term "amélanche" for the Amelanchier ovalis native to Brittany. The word "amélanche" is of Celtic origin and means something like "little apple". But the pear is neither an apple (Malus) nor a pear (Pyrus communis). The ripe fruits of the bush are more reminiscent of blueberries (Vaccinium) and taste similar, plus there is a hint of marzipan. Rock pears used to be an important fruit plant. This can also be seen from the fact that the shrub is still called "currant tree" or "raisin tree" in northern Germany. The fruits were collected, dried and then used like raisins.
Rock pear: origin and properties
Most species of service pear come from North America. At least one species is native to every US state (except Hawaii) and every Canadian province and territory. Only three species are an exception: Two are native to Europe, only one to Asia.
Rock Pear are deciduous shrubs. The shoots are thin and olive green. While all species initially grow upright, they widen more and more over the course of their lives and form expansive crowns. The leaves are three to seven centimeters long, alternate and elliptic. The leaf blades are often covered with delicate hairs. In some species, the leaves already show a reddish color when they sprout and then later change to a greenish color. In autumn the leaves turn bright orange to dark red.
In spring, all species form a multitude of white, star-shaped flowers that grow together in racemes.
In summer, the fruits ripen as berry-like pome fruits. They are red to purple, almost black, and can be 5 to 15 millimeters in diameter. Depending on the type and variety, the fruits taste bland and bitter or pleasantly sweet.
Rock Pear Fruit: Edible or Poisonous?
Most people have probably eaten apples or raspberries many times. However, wild fruit such as sloe or elder is less common. And very few will have tasted the fruit of the pear, because the myth is still widespread that the pear is poisonous and must not be eaten.
It is true that the leaves and seeds of the fruit are cyanogenic Contain glycosides, which are very toxic. If the leaves or seeds are injured, hydrocyanic acid is released. However, the amount of poison in the seeds is very small, and the seeds are not digested without being chewed, so the poison cannot get into the body. Nevertheless, it is very important to only ever enjoy pear fruits in small quantities! Children and pregnant women in particular should not eat too much of the fruit; otherwise consumption is harmless. In the worst case, too much of the poison can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
In addition to cyanogenic glycosides, pear fruit contain many substances that are extremely he althy. Flavonoids, for example, have an antioxidant effect, potassium ensures beautiful skin, and vitamin C strengthens the immune system. Pear fruits also contain tannins, magnesium, iron and phosphorus.
If you would like to learn more about the toxicity of the pear, then read more about it here.
Rock Pear Types and Varieties
Worldwide, the genus of service pear includes 33 species. In addition, there are countless varieties of each species. Below we present the most interesting types for cultivation in the garden. We also give tips on the varieties for the respective species.
Common Pear (Amelanchierovalis)
This species is one of two species native to Europe and can be found at altitudes of up to 2000 metres. It doesn't get taller than three meters and doesn't grow as luxuriantly as its relatives from North America. That's why you rarely see them here. Nevertheless, this species also flowers beautifully in spring and is a drought-resistant, attractive flowering shrub. It produces numerous white flowers in May, arranged in threes to sixes in squat, upright racemes. The fruits are edible. The best-known variety of this species is 'Helvetica': This variety forms narrow, compact shrubs that are one to three meters high and are also well suited for growing in pots.
Copper Pear (Amelanchier lamarckii)
The botanical name of the rock pear goes back to the French botanist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck, who first described this species in 1783. It originally comes from eastern North America. How and when this pear species came to Europe is not known. Since the climate here was so good for her, she spread very quickly and became wild. In the 19th century, Amelanchier lamarckii was cultivated in Germany as a fruit tree and has been valued ever since - and it is still one of our most popular service pear species today. It can grow up to ten meters high and loves a sunny to partially shaded location. The leaves are tinted bronze, turning conspicuous orange to crimson in autumn. From April to May, this species bears white flowers that are heavily frequented by insects. In July and August it then bears crimson to blue-black, tasty fruits, which not only taste good to us, but also serve as food for many birds such as tits or thrushes.
Alder pear (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Native to North America, this species is used as both an ornamental and fruiting shrub. In Canada there are even orchards with this species of pear and Canadian Indians have been collecting their fruit for 3000 years. As a wild shrub, Amelanchier alnifolia prefers to grow on river banks, in forests or in the steppe. This species includes the greatest diversity of varieties among the service pears:
- ‘Fastagiata’: This variety grows columnar and multi-stemmed, which can grow up to four meters high.
- 'Forstburg': This very productive variety bears large and thick fruits that are sweetand taste delicious.
- 'Greatberry Garden': This variety is particularly appreciated for its tasty fruits.
- 'Northline': This variety grows up to four meters high and flowers particularly early.
- 'Obelisk': This variety convinces with a slender, upright growth and can grow up to three meters high. It can also be planted as a pillar.
- 'Saskatoon Berry': This variety is particularly well suited as a solitary tree because it convinces with an upright habit and a height of up to four meters.
- 'Smokey': The shrubs of this variety grow up to 4.4 meters tall and bear delicious fruit.
Bald pear (Amelanchier laevis)
The bare pear forms particularly large shrubs that can reach heights of between 8 and 13 metres. But she is not bald, as the name might suggest. The leaves also change color beautifully in autumn. Some recommended varieties of this species are:
- 'Ballerina': One of the most popular varieties of the service pear. It grows as a tall, upright shrub and produces numerous, tasty fruits.
- 'Edelweiß': The shrubs of this variety can grow up to five meters high. In addition, they impress with a magnificent splendor of flowers in spring.
- 'Snowflakes': This variety forms large shrubs. It bears large, juicy fruits that can be up to two centimeters thick.
Tree Pear (Amelanchier arborea)
As the name suggests, service pear trees of this type grow particularly high into large shrubs or small trees. Some specimens of this species can even grow up to 20 meters high. The best-known variety Amelanchier arborea is 'Robin Hill': This variety can grow up to six meters high and is particularly suitable for tall trees.
Canada Pear
The Canadian Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is native to eastern North America. It is characterized by its large growth height of up to eight meters and is largely limited to wet locations. The fruits are also edible. Some interesting varieties of Amelanchier canadensis are the following:
- ‘October Flame’: This variety owes its name to the fiery red color of the leaves in autumn.
- ‘Prince William’: This variety is characterized by numerous, beautiful flowers and particularly large fruits.
- 'Rainbow Pillar': This strain grows in a columnar manner and deliversalso edible, sweet fruits.
Buy Rock Pear
When buying pear berries, the choice of variety is particularly important, because the variety determines the size, growth habit and fruit yield of your future pear berries. Other important criteria when buying are these:
- Vital, he althy impression
- Plant free from disease or pests
- Size and age of the plant
- Upright growth
You can buy rock pears in tree nurseries, garden centers and hardware stores in your area or, if you can't find what you are looking for there, you can order them online.
You can find out more about buying the pear in our special article here.
Plant Rock Pear
In the following section you can find out which location the service pear feels particularly at home, what to look out for when planting, how to proceed and how you can also plant your service pear as a standard.
The right location for the service pear
The pear is undemanding when it comes to its location in the garden and can thrive almost anywhere. If it is in a sunny to partially shaded place, it will thank you. Soil should be moderately dry to moist. Sandy soil that is too light can be improved when planting with a high-quality potting soil such as our Plantura organic universal soil. The pear is also tolerant when it comes to the pH value: an acidic to slightly alkaline value is not a problem for it. The shrub does well in uncut, wild hedges, but can also be planted as a specimen plant or standard tree.
Summary: Which location does the pear like?
- Understanding
- Sunny to semi-shady
- Well drained, moderately dry to moist soil pH value: 5 - 7.5
Tip: You can even cultivate your service pear in a tub if you choose a small species, such as Amelanchier spicata, and place them in a sufficiently large planter. It is best to use a high-quality soil such as our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil and mix it with 1/3 sand. Make sure that the water can run out of the bottom of the pot, otherwise your pear will soon suffer from root rot.
How to plant the service pear
The best planting time for the service pear is in the spring, as soon as there are no frostswhen more are to be expected, or in autumn.
Soak the root ball of the shrub in a bucket of lukewarm water for about an hour. During this time you can prepare the soil by loosening it deeply and removing any larger stones. Then enrich the soil with compost or a long-acting organic fertilizer. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer creates the best conditions for your serviceberry to grow.
The next step is to dig the planting hole. This should be at least twice the size of the root ball. The bush is placed in the center of this hole. Make sure that the root ball is only planted as deep as it was in the pot. Then you can fill the hole with the excavation and water it.
Planting rock bulbs: step-by-step instructions
- Loosening soil deeply
- Incorporate compost or a slow release organic fertilizer into the soil
- Water the root ball
- dig planting hole; at least twice the circumference of the root ball
- Put in the middle of the hole
- Put only as deep as the plant was in the container
- Fill the hole with excavation
- Cast on
In order to plant your service pear in a bucket, first select a sufficiently large planter. Then create a drainage layer in the pot, for example made of expanded clay or pottery shards, so that the irrigation water in the pot can drain off easily. Then mix the substrate with our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with organic long-term effect to ensure the ideal nutrient supply for your service fruit from the start. Then fill the container one third with the substrate, place the plant in the middle of the container and fill it up with the substrate. Then the rock pear is only poured on. Now nothing stands in the way of your growth.
Summary: How do you plant pear trees in a pot?
- Select a sufficiently large planter
- Create drainage layer
- Mix substrate with Plantura organic universal fertilizer
- Fill the vessel one third with substrate
- Put the pear in the middle of the pot
- Fill the pot with substrate
- Cast on
Plant rock pear as standard
Whether as an ornamental shrub or fruit tree - you can also plant your service pear as a standard tree. Here is particularly on thePay attention to the planting distance, otherwise the shrub can be overshadowed by other trees or shrubs and not develop so well. Therefore, plant it at a distance of eight to ten meters from other trees or place it alone in the meadow as a solitary plant. To make it easier for the shrub to grow, you can cut back the above-ground shoots by a third before planting. Then proceed with planting as described above. It is important for the high stem that you pay attention to the right nutrient supply right from the start. Therefore, before planting, work our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with long-term organic effects into the soil. In this way you offer your future standard the best conditions to be able to grow well. After the young shrub is planted, you should dig a stake deep enough into the ground in the immediate vicinity for support. The rock pear is then tied to the stick with a piece of string - this gives it enough support.
What should be considered when planting the service pear as a standard tree?
- Planting distance to other trees: 8 - 10 meters
- Or plant as a solitary tree
- Prune back shoots above ground by a third
- Proceed as described above for planting
- Basic fertilization with Plantura organic universal fertilizer [do not forget
- Tether a plant to a stick to support it
Care for Rock Pear
Once the pear has been planted, you don't need to do much and you can enjoy the shrub. You can find out what to look out for when fertilizing, watering and cutting the service pear in the next section
Water and fertilize pear pear
Rock pear trees are super easy to care for and actually do well in nutrient-poor and dry conditions. Therefore, the motto when caring for service pear trees should always be: Less is more. You don't actually have to water your pear tree at all. The service pear should only be kept sufficiently moist after planting; this also applies to young service pears. In the case of long periods of drought, you must of course save your service pear from drying out. You should also not be too generous with the fertilizer. One fertilization per year is sufficient. To do this, you can work compost or a long-term organic fertilizer into the soil in spring. Our Plantura organicUniversal fertilizer releases the valuable nutrients slowly and gently to the plant. In this way, the pear is supplied with nutrients over the long term and there is no risk of over-fertilization.
Summary: How to fertilize and water the service pear
- Less is more
- Only water when young and during prolonged drought
- One-time fertilizer application in spring
Cut Rock Pear
You may already have guessed: the pear is easy to care for, even when pruning. Your beautifully shaped crown forms all by itself, you don't have to help with the pruning shears for this.
You should under no circumstances prune older shrubs radically, as new shoots only grow back very slowly afterwards.
If a pear grows too densely for you, you can cut off individual shoots just above the ground in winter to thin out the crown. You can then also remove dead shoots at the same time
How to cut a pear?
- Crown forms by itself
- Regular pruning or topiary therefore not necessary
- Do not radically cut older plants
- Thin out too dense growth in winter
- Cut shoots close to the ground
- Remove dead shoots
Propagate Rock Pear
Rock pear can be propagated by seed, cuttings or grafting.
Propagation by seed works particularly well with wild species. For this it is important that the seeds have been exposed to a cold spell, otherwise they will not be able to germinate.
You can take cuttings in spring, ideally in April or May. Choose a fresh shoot, which should already be 5 to 15 centimeters long at the time. All leaves are removed from this and then placed in a special cuttings substrate. However, propagation of pear cuttings is difficult and rarely crowned with success.
Rowberry seedlings can be used as a rootstock for grafting.
Winter Rock Pear
The pear pear is hardy and absolutely frost tolerant. Even particularly icy winters cannot harm the shrub. All types of service pear can easily overwinter in your garden and do not require any special protection.
Harvesting and storing rock pear fruits
In the summer between June and August, the fruits of the pear begin to ripen. Be butbe patient and don't harvest the vitamin bombs too early, because they don't ripen and taste unripe. You can tell whether the fruits are really ready for harvest by their colour: Depending on the degree of ripeness, they become darker and can - depending on the variety - be harvested when they are dark blue to black. The fruits of the pear ripen gradually on the bush, which means that not all fruits are ready for harvest at the same time. Therefore, you can keep picking ripe fruit from the bush over a longer period of time.
Tip: Rock pears are not only popular with people, but also with birds. So if you want to enjoy the fruits, you have to be quicker than crows and co with the harvest or protect the bush from robbers with a net in summer.
Fresh pears can only be kept in the fridge for a few days. But there are many ways to preserve the he althy fruit. Together with other berries such as raspberries (Rubus idaeus) or currants (Ribes), the pear can be boiled into jam, jelly, juice or compote. If you like it alcoholic, you can also make a homemade liqueur or wine from the fruit. Dried rock pears can also be used as a tea.
Overview: Harvesting and storing Serviceberry fruits
- Harvest time: June - August
- Don't harvest too early
- Darker color indicates harvest maturity
- Always harvest again
- Fresh only lasts a few days in the fridge
- Many processing options: jam, compote, liqueur, tea