Species willowleaf pear
lime-brown fruits with white-green leaves and gray-brown branches

willowleaf pear

Pyrus salicifolia 'Silver Frost'

The Willowleaf Pear, indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, is a hardy evergreen tree known for its attractive silvery-green leaves. Growing to an average height of 12 meters, this pear variety produces creamy-white flowers in the spring, with small, round, yellow-green fruits later in the season. 'Silver Frost' is an especially appealing variety with silvery-white foliage and white spring flowers. These trees are well-suited to larger urban areas due to their small size and drought resistance and are best in full sun or light shade. With its crisp foliage and showy blooms, the Willowleaf Pear is an excellent addition to any landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Air Layering Propagation,Division,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water your willowleaf pear (Pyrus salicifolia 'Silver Frost') every 2 weeks when the top inch of soil dries out. These plants prefer deep, infrequent watering so the soil is allowed to dry out between watering. During the summer months, you may need to water a little more often as higher temperatures and lower rainfall can mean the soil dries out faster. During dry spells, especially in times of drought, check the soil moisture periodically and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

sunlight

The willowleaf pear (Pyrus salicifolia 'Silver Frost') is an evergreen tree that grows best in full sun. It prefers direct sunlight for the majority of the day, typically 6 to 9 hours per day in warmer climates. If grown in cooler climates, this tree should receive partial shade during the hottest parts of the day and 6 to 8 hours of sunlight when the temperatures are milder. Additionally, while this tree prefers full sunlight and lots of it, it can tolerate some shade and it will still thrive.

pruning

The willowleaf pear tree (Pyrus salicifolia 'Silver Frost'), with its attractive silvery-white foliage and graceful weeping form, is a popular ornamental tree. Pruning this species properly is critical for ensuring a strong, beautiful tree. The best time for pruning a willowleaf pear tree is early to late winter, when the tree is dormant and costs the least amount of energy. This tree doesn’t require a lot of pruning—just annual removal of dead, damaged, and crossing branches. To promote a uniform growth habit, prune off shoots growing vertically. Also, to maintain the attractive weeping form, gently prune the longer branches to create a rounded shape. Be sure to use sharp tools and prune branches back to a junction with another branch or the trunk. Avoid “lion’s tailing”, or pruning away all of the interior foliage, as this will reduce the amount of photosynthesis and weaken the tree. Since overpruning can severely stress the tree, it is best to stick to the basics and remove only the necessary branches. If you follow these tips, your beautiful willowleaf pear tree should be well maintained and remain healthy for years to come.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Willowleaf pear typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map